Rich Lewis
Rich Lewis is an author, speaker and coach who focuses on centering prayer as a means of inner transformation. He teaches centering prayer in both his local and virtual community and offers one-on-one coaching. He publishes a weekly meditation, book reviews, and interviews on his site, Silence Teaches. He has published articles for a number of organizations, including Contemplative Light, Abbey of the Arts, Contemplative Outreach, EerdWord, In Search of a New Eden, the Ordinary Mystic at Patheos, and the Contemplative Writer.
Rich began his journey many years ago, and after discovering how powerful of a tool prayer/meditation is, he has embarked on a journey to share this experience with other people. Centering prayer has been so life-giving and life-changing that he feels compelled to share his journey with others who wish to learn more.
“Centering prayer is a practice that opens us to the gift of contemplative prayer. During Contemplative prayer we sit with God. We open our mind, heart and body to God who is beyond thoughts, words and emotions.”
Rich Lewis is an author, speaker and coach who focuses on centering prayer as a means of inner transformation. He teaches centering prayer in both his local and virtual community and offers one-on-one coaching. He publishes a weekly meditation, book reviews, and interviews on his site, Silence Teaches.
In this episode, Rich and I discuss his personal transformation that occurred through a daily prayer practice. Rich has been a daily practitioner of Centering Prayer since June 1, 2014. Prayer has long been known to be a powerful tool of personal transformation. By connecting and embracing God, we open ourselves to higher wisdom, inner peace, and a sense of connectedness.
The Centering Prayer
“THE FOUR BASIC GUIDELINES OF CENTERING PRAYER:
1. Choose a sacred word as the symbol of your intention to consent to God’s presence and action within.
2. Sitting comfortably and with eyes closed, settle briefly and silently introduce the sacred word as the symbol of your consent to God’s presence and action within.
3. When engaged with your thoughts, return ever-so- gently to the sacred word.
4. At the end of the prayer period, remain in silence with eyes closed for a couple of minutes.
For many, extended silence is very difficult. Don’t become discouraged. Start small. Take baby steps. Perhaps initially you will only be able to handle five minutes. Gradually increase the time frame of your session to fifteen or twenty minutes. Slowly incorporate a second centering prayer time into your day.”
Sitting with God: A Journey to Your True Self Through Centering Prayer
“Lewis presents an intimate view of his centering prayer journey. He helps us discover the Rich Lewis has given us a book that leads us into the heart and healing of centering prayer. Rich speaks carefully and humbly about his spiritual journey and what he has discovered. He offers readers a gracious introduction and invitation to partake in this soulful practice that will deepen their faith lives. —J. Brent Bill, author of Holy Silence
“Rich Lewis’ writing is unique in its simplicity and lack of pretense. And he is nothing if not honest, especially regarding his passion for centering prayer. In this book you will find down-to-earth spiritual practice that echoes throughout Rich’s life as a husband, dad, and financial consultant. Highly recommended!”
– Amos Smith, author of Be Still and Listen: Experience the Presence of God in Your Life.
“This work offers a friendly and accessible approach to centering prayer that will be of great benefit to those new to the practice. Rich has a lovely way of inviting the reader in through honest reflections on his own experience, both struggles and graces. These stories offer comfort and gentle encouragement on the way.”
– Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, REACE, Abbey of the Arts: Transformative Living through Contemplative and Expressive Arts, author of The Soul of a Pilgrim: Eight Practices for the Journey Within.
Download a Free Sample of Sitting with God
Underground Antics Podcast 