Opening Minds, Opening Hearts

Latest Episodes:

The Transformative Power of Centering Prayer Oct 01, 2023

Show notes

Welcome back to season two of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts. We are your hosts, Colleen Thomas and Mark Dannenfelser and our hope this season is to open the door for you to explore more deeply this powerful practice of Centering Prayer. Each week we will talk with a guest from the contemplative community and unpack Father Thomas Keating’s principle: “Contemplative Outreach is an evolving community with an expanding vision and deepening practice of Centering Prayer that serves the changing needs of Christian contemplatives.”
To connect further with us:

Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.org
Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contemplativeoutreachltd/
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contemplativeoutreach
Check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/coutreach
To learn more about Father Thomas Keating’s guidelines for service and principles visit www.contemplativeoutreach.org/vision.

Season 2 of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts was made possible by a grant from the Trust for the Meditation Process, a charitable foundation encouraging meditation, mindfulness, and contemplative prayer.
This episode of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts is produced by Crys & Tiana LLC www.crysandtiana.com
Stream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

Welcome to Season 2 of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Sep 24, 2023

Show notes

Welcome back to season two of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts. Co-host Mark Dannenfelser and Colleen Thomas framed their conversation around one of Thomas Keating's guiding principles:
“Contemplative Outreach is an evolving community with an expanding vision and deepening practice of Centering Prayer that serves the changing needs of Christian contemplatives.”
Throughout the season, Mark and Colleen will unpack this principle with guests who are involved in the evolving contemplative community.
To learn more about Father Thomas Keating’s guidelines for service and principles visit www.contemplativeoutreach.org/vision.
To connect further with us:

Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.org
Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contemplativeoutreachltd/
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contemplativeoutreach
Check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/coutreach
To learn more about Father Thomas Keating’s guidelines for service and principles visit www.contemplativeoutreach.org/vision.

Season 2 of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts was made possible by a grant from the Trust for the Meditation Process, a charitable foundation encouraging meditation, mindfulness, and contemplative prayer.
This season of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts is produced by Crys & Tiana LLC www.crysandtiana.com
Stream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

Embodying Centering Prayer with Mark Kutolowski Dec 25, 2022

Show notes

Today, on this final episode of the first season of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts, our guest is Mark Kutolowski. He is an oblate of Saint Benedict and a Centering Prayer instructor committed to supporting the revitalization of Christian contemplation. Mark and his wife are the co-directors of Metanoia of Vermont, a lay contemplative homestead and ministry that seeks to nurture the way of Christ through work and prayer in relationship with the land. We discuss Mark's personal interactions with Father Thomas, the unity found in Centering Prayer, metanoia or a spiritual conversion that comes with contemplation, how our prayer practice is a bridge to all other areas of life and more.
To connect further with Mark Kutolowski
- Visit his website - Metanoia of Vermont www.metanoiavt.com
- Visit Mark’s Substack https://metanoiavt.substack.com/
To connect further with us:
- Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.org
- Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contemplativeoutreachltd/
- Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contemplativeoutreach
- Check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/coutreach
Stream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

The Source of Centering Prayer with Carmen Acevedo Butcher Dec 18, 2022

Show notes

On Today’s episode of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts, we welcome internationally acclaimed speaker, author, poet and translator of spiritual texts, Carmen Acevedo Butcher. Today she shares her thoughts on Centering Prayer practice, self-compassion, community with others, and how trauma can be turned into connection through meditation and contemplation.
To connect further with Carmen Acevedo Butcher
Visit her website: https://www.carmenbutcher.com/
Visit her Linktree: https://linktr.ee/carmenacevedobutcher
Check out her YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/CarmenAcevedoButcherPresence
Carmen’s translations:
Brother Lawrence’s Practice of the Presence (Broadleaf) now available on Audible
The Cloud of Unknowing (Shambhala)
To connect further with us:
Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.org
Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contemplativeoutreachltd/
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contemplativeoutreach
Check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/coutreach
Stream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

Centering Prayer as the Divine Therapy with Pastor Tia Norman Dec 11, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts, Pastor Tia Norman, shares her perspective on incorporating gentleness during the practice of Centering Prayer, the relationship flow between prayer and the divine, and her thoughts on being a woman of color in the contemplative community. Tia is a teacher and guide specializing in the spirituality and practices anchored in the mystical teachings of the Christan Contemplative tradition. She serves as the Pastor of Awakenings, a contemplative community in Houston, TX and is a certified Embodied Yin and Yoga Nidra Teacher.
To connect further with Pastor Tia Norman:
Visit her website: https://tiaariane.com
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2btia/
Check out her free Guided Meditation Download: https://mailchi.mp/9c19517d01a5/free-guided-meditation-from-tia-norman
Visit Awakenings Website: http://awakeningsinc.org/
Follow Awakenings on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awakenings_inc/
To connect further with us:
Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.org
Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contemplativeoutreachltd/
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contemplativeoutreach
Check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/coutreach
Stream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

Centering Prayer and The New Monasticism with Father Adam Bucko Dec 04, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts, we are excited to welcome a friend of Contemplative Outreach, Father Adam Bucko. He shares how Father Thomas Keating helped shape his work and inspired him to write his new book Let Your Heartbreak be Your Guide: Lessons in Engaged Contemplation. We discuss how trauma can change how one practices Centering Prayer and the discernment that comes with remaining silent or speaking out against social justice. Father Bucko also shares his experience working with homeless youth in New York City and leading The Center for Spiritual Imagination at the Episcopal Cathedral of the Incarnation.⁣
⁣
𝐓𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐦 𝐁𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐨:⁣
Visit his websites:⁣
Father Adam Bucko: https://fatheradambucko.com/ ⁣
The Center for Spiritual Imagination at the Episcopal Cathedral of the Incarnation: https://www.spiritualimagination.org/ ⁣
The Buddhist-Christian Community for Meditation and Action: https://www.kairajewel.com/teaching/buddhist-christian-community-of-practice-and-action
Reciprocity Foundation: https://www.reciprocityfoundation.org/⁣
⁣
Father Adam Bucko is the author of 𝘓𝘦𝘵 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘣𝘦 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘎𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦: 𝘓𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘥 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯⁣
And co-author of: 𝘖𝘤𝘤𝘶𝘱𝘺 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺: 𝘈 𝘙𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘎𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 and ⁣
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘴𝘮: 𝘈𝘯 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨⁣
⁣
𝐓𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐮𝐬:⁣
Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.org⁣
Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contemplativeoutreachltd/ ⁣
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contemplativeoutreach⁣
Check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/coutreach⁣
⁣
This podcast is produced by Crys & Tiana LLC www.crysandtiana.com⁣
⁣
𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐍𝐎𝗪 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭, 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐠𝐥𝐞, 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐳𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲!

Centering Down with Dr. Lerita Coleman Brown Nov 27, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts, we are excited to welcome a friend of Contemplative Outreach, Dr. Lerita Coleman Brown. She walks us through how we can center down during our contemplative time so that we can focus on the silent space where we can hear from God instead of the chatter that pulls us away from stillness. She also encourages us to have an accurate self portrayal of ourselves and strengthen our inner, so that the prejudice and perceptions of others cannot enter. Dr. Brown promotes the renowned mystic and theologian, Howard Thurman, contemplative spirituality and uncovering the peace and joy in one’s heart. She is a professor of psychology emerita, spiritual director and companion, retreat leader, speaker, and author.
To connect further with Dr. Lerita Coleman Brown:
Visit her websites: www.leritacolemanbrown.com and www.peaceforhearts.com
Like her on Facebook: Peace for Hearts | Facebook
Follow her on Twitter: @peace4hearts
Follow her on Instagram: Lerita Coleman Brown (@peaceforhearts) • Instagram photos and videos
She appears in the documentaries, Back Against the Wall: The Howard Thurman Story and The Black Church as well as several podcasts.
Dr. Brown is the author of several articles, chapters, essays, and When the Heart Speaks, Listens: Discovering Inner Wisdom.
Her newest book, What Makes you Come Alive: A Spiritual Walk with Howard Thurman will be released by Broadleaf Press in February and is available for pre-order now.
To connect further with us:
Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.org
Find us on Instagram: Contemplative Outreach Ltd (@contemplativeoutreachltd) • Instagram photos and videos
Like us on Facebook: (1) Contemplative Outreach | West Milford NJ | Facebook
Check out our YouTube channel: (1) coutreach - YouTube
This podcast is produced by Crys & Tiana LLC www.crysandtiana.com
Stream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

Centering Prayer as a Gesture of Consent with Carl McColman Nov 27, 2022

Show notes

On this very first episode of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts, we speak with author and spiritual leader, Carl Mcloman. Carl walks us through a deeper understanding of the relationships and distinctions between mystical traditions, Christian meditation, contemplation and Centering Prayer. He also helps us accept our humanness while building a healthy daily practice using silence, sacred words and the four guidelines of Centering Prayer as stated by Father Thomas Keating. Carl sees the elegance and simplicity of the method of centering prayer as a larger conversation that the Christian community is having about reclaiming this contemplative practice.
To connect further with Carl McCloman:
Visit his website: www.anamchara.com
Check out his course The Contemplative Study of Mystical Writings coming in January 2023 on Patreon.
To provide financial support for Carl McCloman and to have access to his teachings visit his Patreon: www.patreon.com/carlmccolman
Carl McCloman is the author of many books including The Big Book of Christian Mysticism, Eternal Heart: The Mystical Path to a Joyful Life, and Unteachable Lessons: Why Wisdom Can’t Be Taught and Why That’s Okay.
He is also one of the co-hosts of the Encountering Silence podcast.
To connect further with us:
Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.org
Find us on Instagram: Contemplative Outreach Ltd (@contemplativeoutreachltd) • Instagram photos and videos
Like us on Facebook: (1) Contemplative Outreach | West Milford NJ | Facebook
Check out our YouTube channel: (1) coutreach - YouTube
This podcast is produced by Crys & Tiana LLC www.crysandtiana.com
Stream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

Welcome to Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Nov 16, 2022

Show notes

Are you seeking to deepen your interior life through the practice of Centering Prayer? Do you have a desire to develop a closer connection to the divine as well as those around you?
Opening Minds, Opening Hearts is a podcast for both the curious meditator and long-time practitioner of Centering Prayer. On each episode, hosts Colleen Thomas and Mark Dannenfelser will reflect on the method of Centering Prayer with some friends of Contemplative Outreach who share their personal experiences of encountering God through the prayer, and through their work in the world. Topics discussed will include New Monasticism, the value of silence, the practice of contemplation and the call to social action.
Through this podcast, we hope to provide new perspectives on the future of this prayer in the rapidly changing spiritual and technological landscape. Centering Prayer is a practice and a gift and we are excited to share this blessing with our listeners.

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