Welcome to Contemplative Outreach Pittsburgh
"Silence is God's first language -
Everything else is a poor translation" Thomas Keating
- Contemplative Outreach Pittsburgh is a chapter of Contemplative Outreach Ltd--a worldwide network of individuals and small groups committed to living the contemplative dimension of the Gospel in daily life
- Our core practice is Centering Prayer, a silent prayer practice which opens us to the gift of contemplation, a deep relationship with God, beyond words, permeating every aspect of our lives.
Retreats and Workshops
Retreats from Contemplative Outreach Pittsburgh
Upcoming COP Fall Retreat
Save the date:
Friday September 11 - Saturday September 12
Hildegard of Bingen was a 12th century visionary nun who was a mystic, healer, preacher, and composer and a spiritual counselor to many - lay and religious, the ordinary and the powerful. She was a formative leader of a Benedictine community of women whose life was grounded in prayer, chant, and community. Rooted in her radical trust in God's healing and love, and the life-giving guidance of the Holy Spirit, Hildegard led her community into a life of care for each other's body, mind, and spirit, as well as for those seeking their support and help.
Join us as we come together to learn from Hildegard and her community, taking time away from our daily lives to learn together, pray together, and reflect, listen and share. The retreat features conferences on Friday and Sunday, several periods of centering prayer per day, chanting and body prayer, private time, and individual and group soul friending.
Registration and more information
An Illumination from Hildegard of Bingen's book of Visions Scivias: The Tower of the Church.
A tower of surpassing radiance, [...] represents the Church. This tower, which is visible both inside and outside the building, is not yet complete, and numerous workers are tirelessly building upon it. At its summit, seven strong fortifications have been erected, which stand for the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Other Retreats
Bethany Retreat Center
Centering Prayer Weekend Retreat December 3-6
Centering Prayer 8-Day Retreat August 2 - 8
Complete List of Retreats is HERE
Online Workshops, Retreats, and Programs
Centering Prayer and Nondual Consciousness
A conversation between Cynthia Bourgeault and David Frenette
You can listen to this enriching conversation on YouTube HERE
The Contemplative Outreach community offers many online opportunities to deepen one's relationship with God and support the process of transformation in Christ. Attending a workshop, a retreat, an online Centering Prayer group or participating in an online course with a global community can all support and deepen one's relationship with God and the experience of living a contemplative life
Be still, and know that I am God
Contemplative Prayer
We may think of prayer as thoughts or feelings expressed in words. But this is only one expression. In the Christian tradition contemplative prayer is considered to be the pure gift of God. It is the opening of mind and heart - our whole being - to God, the Ultimate Mystery, beyond thoughts, words, or emotions. Through grace we open our awareness to God whom we know by faith is within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than choosing, and closer than consciousness itself. Contemplation is not a special state "achieved" in moments of silence, but it is the deep relationship with the "ground of our being", unfolding in each moment of our lives.
Centering Prayer
Centering Prayer is a method designed to facilitate the development of contemplative prayer by preparing our faculties to receive this gift. Centering Prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer; rather it casts a new light and depth of meaning to them. It is at the same time a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship. This method of prayer is a movement beyond conversation with Christ to communion with him. Practicing Centering Prayer is like gardening - we water, weed, and tend regularly, allowing for the beautiful flower of contemplation to grow, but the flower itself, its growth, its beauty, its aliveness, is a pure gift.