Episode 201 Centering Prayer: What I’ve Learned So Far

September 21 2025 marks the 4th year anniversary of the release of Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life (Paraclete Press, 2021). In this episode, I unpack key lessons that I’ve gained through my practice of centering prayer including some unexpected blessings. 

If you haven’t read Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life, you can buy it here: https://amzn.to/42u4PYo .

Contact Brian: brian@brianrussellphd.com or www.brianrussellphd.com 

Brian’s Favorite Centering Prayer Resources:

Murchadh O’Madagáin, Centering Prayer and the Healing of the Unconscious https://amzn.to/46odtsE 

Carl Arico, A Taste of Silence: Centering Prayer and the Contemplative Journey https://amzn.to/3VY1flC  

Martin Laird, Into the Silent Land: A Guide to the Christian Practice of Contemplation https://amzn.to/4ptQ7L1  

Rich Lewis, Sitting with God: A Journey to Your True Self through Centering Prayer https://amzn.to/4niMZjK 

Cynthia Bourgeault, Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening https://amzn.to/4nzs2Av 

Other books that Brian mentioned:

Cloud of Unknowing  https://amzn.to/47PjfGg 

Pseudo-Dionysius, The Complete Works. https://amzn.to/3Itp69M 

Bessel van Der Kolk, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, Body in the Healing of Trauma https://amzn.to/3W1Acpu  

Chuck DeGroat, Healing What’s Within: Coming Home to Yourself—and to God—When You're Wounded, Weary, and Wandering https://amzn.to/4mnZ7P8  

Brian’s Other Books
Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation https://amzn.to/3uuWCoQ  

(Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9  

Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/  

Work with Brian:

Brian is available for personal coaching in the areas of spiritual growth, missional leadership and biblical/theological training.

Brian is also available for virtual or in person speaking/teaching. He offers workshops and stand alone talks on contemplative spirituality as well as on a variety of books and topics relating to engaging Scripture for a life of mission, community and holiness.

Amazon links are affiliate links. Without affecting the cost on your end, Amazon shares a small percentage of the profit with me if you purchase any product after following these links to Amazon. In other words, if you shop regularly on Amazon, you can support my work by clicking on any of the books I linked and then searching for whatever you want to purchase. Thanks for your support.