Centered Living

Centered Living: The Way of Centering Prayer by M. Basil Pennington (Liguori Publications, 1999) is a 240-page paperback introduction to the contemplative practice known as Centering Prayer.

The text provides accessible, non-technical explanations and combines practitioner testimonies, updated guidelines, theological reflections, and practical hints for teaching the practice to others.

Some listings for the edition also name contributors such as Michael T. Moran and Rabbi Lawrence Kushner.

Pros:

• Clear, non-technical explanations suitable for beginners and group leaders.
• Practical mix of testimonies, guidelines, theological reflection, and teaching tips.
• Compact, focused length (about 240 pages) makes it suitable for study groups or teaching purposes.

Cons:

• Originally published in 1999; edition reflects material current at that publication date.
• Most listings describe it as a paperback edition.
• Content is primarily oriented toward the Christian contemplative tradition.