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Centering Prayer Summit

Learning to See in the Dark

Opening to Mystical Hope in the Collective Dark Night

A two-day contemplative journey into honest seeing, shared courage, and

the deeper Light that never stops shining.

Online via Zoom — All Sessions Recorded

January 24 – 25, 2026

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What if the darkness we face—alone and together—helps us uncover the hope already within us?

In a time when uncertainty, division, and collective weariness touch nearly every soul, many of us find ourselves navigating both personal shadows and a world that feels increasingly dim. Yet the contemplative path reminds us that even in the darkest places, something tender and resilient is already at work within us.

This year’s 5th Annual Centering Prayer Summit offers a sacred space to meet this moment with honesty and openness. Together we will explore how the dark night—both personal & collective—can become a place of awakening rather than despair, a place where the deeper Light that has never stopped shining, begins to make itself known.

Through shared stillness, in-depth teaching, and real-time interaction, you’ll experience how Centering Prayer opens us to the quiet hope already alive within: a hope not dependent on circumstances, but rooted in the Presence that holds us all.

Our 5th Centering Prayer Summit!

Five years of listening, learning, & opening the heart together

What You'll Experience

Over two days, we’ll explore the darkness of our times honestly and gently, while rooting in the quiet thread of hope hidden within.

Together we'll explore:

Mystical hope as a lived experience—a subtle current sustaining us even when the way forward is unclear

The personal and collective "false-self systems" that shape our inner lives and our culture

Practices that steady the heart, opening inner stillness where divine guidance can arise

A sense of shared courage and belonging with a global contemplative community

How contemplative presence moves into compassionate action, allowing love to become embodied care in the world

Open to the hope not dependent on circumstances,

but rooted in the Presence that holds us all together

KEYNOTES

Opening Keynote

Cynthia Bourgeault

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Author & Retreat Leader

January 24, 2025 | 10:00am - 11:15am ET

Mystical Hope in Dark Times:

Opening the Unitive Heart Beneath the Darkness

Closing Keynote

Adam Bucko & Kaira Jewel Lingo

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Contemplative Teachers & Authors

January 25, 2025 | 3:30pm - 5:00pm ET

The Still Point That Turns the World: A Buddhist–Christian Path from Presence to Action

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Early Registration Bonus

Free Gift Registration!

Register by December 18th, and you'll receive a complimentary registration to share with a friend or family member.

Who Is This For?

This summit is for anyone who senses that Centering Prayer is more than a quiet practice, but rather a way of seeing that opens the heart in times of uncertainty. Whether you’re new to silence or have prayed for decades, you are welcome.

You will feel at home if you:

Long for inner steadiness and spiritual clarity in the midst of uncertainty

Feel drawn to open the eyes of the heart and navigate life from deeper presence

Seek understanding of personal and collective false-self patterns

Desire a community committed to mystical hope, compassion, and contemplative depth

Come as you are—curious, hopeful, weary, unsure.

Attend from anywhere – join us live online or watch later with full recordings.

Summit Essentials

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Live Conference

Real-time teaching, practice, and interactive Q&A


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Contemplative Practice

Centering Prayer, guided meditation, and shared silence to deepen awareness


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Lifetime Recordings

Access every session, whenever you wish.


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Accessible Pricing

Sliding-scale registration | Scholarships Available | No Questions Asked Refund


Event Details

Dates: January 24–25, 2025 (+ bonus sessions before & after)

Times: 9:30am - 5:00pm ET / 6:30am PT / 2:30pm GMT

Location: Online & Live via Zoom

All Sessions Recorded: Lifetime replay

Accessible Pricing: Sliding Scale

Scholarships Available: We believe there should be no financial barrier to spiritual formation (see FAQ)

Join over 1,000+ people who have embraced transformation through our Summits over the past four years.

Event Partners

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Hosted by:

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— Speakers & Teachings —

Bonus! Friday, January 23rd

6:30pm - 8:00pm ET / 3:30pm PT / 11:30pm GMT

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Returning to the Heart of Centering Prayer: A Gentle Beginning for the Journey Ahead

Fr. Matthew Flatley

Retreat leader & teacher of Centering Prayer since 1994 & Roman Catholic Priest

Saturday, January 24th

9:30am - 5:00pm ET / 6:30am PT / 2:30pm GMT

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Cynthia Bourgeault

Author & Retreat Leader

Mystical Hope in Dark Times:

Opening the Unitive Heart

Beneath the Darkness

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Tia Norman

Spiritual Director, Centering Prayer Teacher & Pastor

Illuminating the False Self Within: Unmasking the Patterns that Keep Us from Inner Freedom

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Tia Norman, Abi Robins, Christo Brehm

Pastor, Podcaster & Author, Psychotherapist

Confronting the Collective False Self System: Naming the Collective Patterns that Wound, Divide

& Constrain Us

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Carl McColman

Author, Spiritual Director, Retreat Leader

Entering the Cloud of Unknowing: Befriending the Darkness

in Centering Prayer

Sunday, January 25th

9:30am - 5:00pm ET / 6:30am PT / 2:30pm GMT

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Colleen Thomas

Podcaster & Spiritual Director

Circles of Belonging: Examining Mythic Membership in Divisive Times

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Netanel Miles-Yépez

Author, Philosopher, Religious Scholar

Establishing a Beloved Community: Interspirituality and Dialogue

as a Way Forward

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Hunter Mobley

Author, Teacher & Inner Journey Guide

The Many Faces of the One True Self:

A Contemplative Reframing of Identity Beyond Personality

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Adam Bucko & Kaira Jewel Lingo

Contemplative Teachers & Authors

The Still Point That Turns the World: A Buddhist–Christian Path from Presence to Action

Testimonials

from previous years

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Robert Currie

The 2022 Centering Prayer Summit was a gift. It increased my knowledge about centering prayer and offered new insights into our practice. The variety of speakers and their topics generated curiosity and enthusiasm. The impact of this will reverberate out to my personal practice, to my own centering prayer group, to the centering prayer group I help co-facilitate in a local prison, and out into the small corner of the world where I live. I feel deeply grateful for all and to all.

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Annelle Tanner

As a "newbie" to Centering Prayer, this summit GREATLY kindled my desire to delve deeper into the practice. AND I learned many ways to do that!! The speakers were authentic and inspirational and encouraging. I appreciate the availability of recordings of all sessions; I foresee spending time exploring more deeply many of the topics - actually ALL of the topics- discussed. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!

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Brian Russell

I found the Centering Prayer Summit to be both informative and transformational. I enjoyed learning from both long established contemplative teachers as well as new voices. All of the speakers were well prepared and helpful. Two of the sessions: Mary Dwyer's and Rev. Nhiên's in particular impacted me personally as they spoke into areas in which I needed to open myself to even more growth in grace. I also benefited from the actual group centering prayer sessions. It was a blessing knowing I was sitting in silence along with several hundred other like-minded souls.

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We're committed to offering a transformative experience.

If, within a week of the summit, it does not meet your expectation, contact us for a refund.

Our aim is for this event to truly support and uplift you.

4 Bonuses!

Pre Summit - Post Summit

Bonus 1: Contemplation Day with Keith Kristich

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Pre-Summit Live Event!

Join our 90-minute monthly Contemplation Day and explore how Centering Prayer opens us to the gift of contemplation, where we find the universal Ground of Being, uniting us all in our inner most depths.


Saturday, January 10, 10:00–11:30am ET

Bonus 2: Live with Fr. Matthew Flatley

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Pre-Summit Live Event!

Join Fr. Matthew Flatley as he kicks off the weekend exploring our shared practice of Centering Prayer.


Friday, January 23, 6:30–8:00pm ET

Bonus 3: Live Post-Summit Integration-Gathering

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Post-Summit Gathering

One week after the Centering Prayer Summit, join us for a day of reflection, connection, and practice. Facilitated by Keith Kristich & Colleen Thomas, this session invites you to revisit the teachings, explore your insights in small groups, and deepen your understanding through contemplation.

We'll let the wisdom of the Summit settle and take root in our everyday lives.

Saturday, January 31, 10:00-11:30am ET

Bonus 4: Personality & the Meditative Mind Recording

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Recording From Keith Kristich

Instantly receive the recording of Keith Kristich's 2025 Contemplative Enneagram Summit talk titled Personality & The Meditative Mind: How Centering Prayer Awakens the True Self Beyond Type.

Schedule of Events

*Times below are in Eastern Standard Time*

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Hosted by Closer Than Breath

Meet the Hosts for the Weekend

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Keith Kristich

Founder of

Closer Than Breath

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Colleen Thomas

Founder of

Soul Care LA

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Come Live Online — or — Watch the Recordings

You Won't Miss a Thing!

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FAQS

What if I can’t attend the whole Summit?

No problem, we actually suggest you DO NOT stare at your screen all day long! All workshops are recorded and shared with those who register for the event. You will have lifetime access to the talks!

What if I don't have the resources to pay?

No problem! We believe that there should be no financial barrier to spiritual formation. Simply email events@closerthanbreath.com with the subject line "scholarship" and a brief note. We'll be in touch shortly after that!

Read more testimonials from previous Summits

See below from various people who participated in Summits from past years.

I was glad to learn there is a new generation of contemplatives coming up behind the older generation and by sharing we learn from each other.
- Carole Buckingham

The depth and breadth of the teachings at this inaugural summit far exceeded my expectations. I am excited to apply what I learned to my daily practice and explore new practices that were offered. The history, theology, and mysticism of centering prayer were served with healthy portions of practical advice and guidelines for enriching one’s inner and outer experiences. I look forward to the CP 2023 Summit!
- Joe Oster

The summit greatly exceeded my expectations both in the quality of the talks and sense of community it was able to achieve via zoom. I learned something from every presentation. They were obviously carefully chosen. A full, rich, immersive experience.
- Clare Stober

I really can’t find the words for now. Humbling, uplifting, exciting, deep, still - all of it.
- Irina

Every presentation in its own way and for what it was, was presented expertly by all of the presenters. Younger presenters, quite naturally, talked about Centering Prayer from the perspective of their own state of life and in relation to their own everyday concerns, duties and responsibilities. This reminds me of the 'householder' stage in Hindu thinking. It was, to my mind, very important that the Summit included people from a full range of ages, and backgrounds, so that people from every group benefited. By this I don't mean simply old for old and young for young, but that all ages were able to find something of value, as I did, in the full range of teaching perspectives.
- Hugh Reid

To hear familiar, beloved voices from the early years of Contemplative Outreach and a new generation that is carrying on and enriching the original vision - all in one summit - was satisfying and invigorating. To the old-timer, it was touching to see the passing of the torch and to realize that things will continue to be in good hands even as the original crew is still very much alive and growing!
- Sukey Ryan

It was wonderful to see so many excellent speakers in one virtual place! There were topics I’d never encountered before, and refreshers on subjects I’d heard before. Each speaker brought something different. A very worthwhile experience.
- Jeffrey Grills

Will sessions be recorded?

Yes. All presentations, keynotes, and practices will be available indefinitely after the summit to those that register!

Refund Policy

We're committed to offering a transformative experience. If within a week of the summit, it does not meet your expectation, contact us for a refund. Our aim is for this event to truly support and uplift you.

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Scholarships Available

We believe that there should be no financial barrier to spiritual formation.

To inquire, email

events@closerthanbreath.com


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Join the Circle of Giving

Help us extend scholarships by paying it forward.

Your gift supports another participant’s access.

Your generosity ensures a wider circle can experience the Summit.

Early Bird Rates

Reduced $99 | Suggested $119 | Pay It Forward $149

Early Bird ends on December 31, 2025


January 24 - 25, 2026


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Early Registration Bonus!

Free Gift Registration!

Register by December 18th, and you'll receive a complimentary registration to share with a friend or family member.

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Circle of Giving: Support in Full - $119

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