Welcome

Welcome to the Heart of Texas chapter of Contemplative Outreach (HoTCO). We are an ecumenical group of women and men serving together to support those who want to deepen their relationship with God through the practice of Centering Prayer.

Centering Prayer is an ancient method of Christian prayer which prepares us to receive the gift of God’s presence, traditionally called contemplative prayer.

HoTCO is one of more than 90 active chapters in 39 countries formed by Contemplative Outreach, Ltd., a worldwide spiritual network that provides support and resources for Centering Prayer practitioners.

We offer Introduction to Centering Prayer workshops and retreats ranging from one to ten days in length.

We support Centering Prayer groups that meet daily, weekly and monthly in various churches, homes and institutions, as well as contemplative church services throughout the area.

Latest news…

  • You are invited:
    • Song & Silence Enrichment Day – Mar 22nd, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm CST – offered by the Church of Conscious Harmony. This enrichment day will cultivate interior silence through the combination of chanting, Centering Prayer, and reflective personal time. The singing of simple chants is a beautiful threshold into Centering Prayer and can deepen the experience of the silence. Chanting will be accompanied by harp. The wish is to create a vibratory vessel through which Spirit can bless us, our community, and the world. The enrichment will be led by Beverly McCune and held in the sanctuary. Please bring a brown bag lunch. Light snacks will also be available. The cost is $25; for more details and to register, see this link.
    • Introduction to Centering Prayer Workshop – Mar 29th, 10:00am – 3:00pm CDT – offered by the Metanoia Journey at The “T” House, 12140 Tunnel Trail, Manchaca, TX 78652. Learn the basics for beginning a Centering Prayer daily practice, using the Contemplative Outreach course based on Fr. Thomas Keating’s book, “Open Mind, Open Heart”. The cost is $35 which includes the book; for more details and to register, see this link
    • Lenten Commuter Retreat – Apr 10 – Apr 12 – offered by the Church of Conscious Harmony. Daily retreat times are Thursday 7am-4pm; Friday 7am-7pm and Saturday 7am-4pm. In addition to the daily periods of Centering Prayer, the schedule will allow for spacious personal time for reading in the new library and communing with nature on the trails. Food for this retreat will be vegetarian and mindfully prepared to support the transformative work of prayer. The retreat will be led by Jonathan Steele. All will commute to CCH and home daily. The cost is $170; more information and registration is available here.
    • 1/2-Day Holy Saturday Centering Prayer Retreat – Apr 19th, 9 am – 12 pm CDT – offered by the Church of Conscious Harmony. There is no cost for the retreat and donations are joyfully received. For more details and to register, see this link.
    • 1/2-Day Centering Prayer Online Retreat – May 31st, 9 am – 12 pm CDT – offered by the Church of Conscious Harmony. There is no cost for the retreat and donations are joyfully received. For more details and to register, see this link.
  • For retreats and introduction to Centering Prayer workshops in the year of 2025, please see retreats and introductory workshops. Retreats and workshops for 2025 will be updated as changes become available.
  • Pray in Community: Our list of local Prayer Groups will be continually updated in 2025. There are also several contemplative church services around town that we’re aware of. Information on these can be found on the Contemplative Worship page and will be updated as we receive new information.
  • The Meditation Chapel currently offers many online opportunities each week to join others in Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina. These are a wonderful way to pray with others in community, while remaining at home. When looking at their calendar, note that the Centering Prayer groups meet in the ‘Thomas Keating Chapel.
  • Consider supporting our Centering Prayer community by joining one of our Service Teams. We would love to hear from you regarding your interest in serving our chapter by mailing Lynne Roy or Kristi Michener. Your involvement in our Centering Prayer community is vital!

…when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
~ Matthew 6:6

Contemplative Prayer is the opening of mind and heart – our whole being – to God, the Ultimate Mystery, beyond thoughts, words and emotions, whom we know by faith is within us, closer than breathing, thinking, feeling and choosing; even closer than consciousness itself.
~ Fr. Thomas Keating, Open Mind, Open Heart