Contemplative Outreach of Madison
will present an
11th Step Practice Workshop
Introducing Centering as a silent form of meditation
Based on the teaching of Thomas Keating
in-person at:
East Side Alano Club
1017 Northport Drive
Madison, WI 53704
Saturday, October 17, 2026
9:30am - 3:00pm (lunch provided)
Cost: $25 includes a free book
and
Four continuing sessions in-person or by Zoom
Tuesdays 7:00-8:00 pm
October 20 and 27 & November 3 and 10
Questions can be sent to centeringprayermadison@gmail.com
To Register go to our website (please register by October 6th):
https://centeringprayermadison.org/11th-step-workshop-october-17-2026/
We have discovered that even when we live with great resolve, determination, and effort, we cannot heal
ourselves. Yes, there are things we can do, but we came to believe that healing is the work of our Higher
Power. As we consent to God’s presence and action within us through the Centering practice, we open
ourselves to the exact healing we most need.
About Centering
Centering is an ancient meditation practice that has been used over the centuries, but it
is different from what we may think of as prayer. It is not the type of prayer we are used
to, like praying for something we want. It is simply moving deep within ourselves, in
silence, saying nothing, asking for nothing, just being, by letting go of our thoughts and
allowing our Higher Power to be with us. The practice of Centering has parallels with
other traditional practices and is simple and easy to do.
The talks in this workshop will consider why we need a contemplative practice like Centering and
how Centering, as part of an 11th Step practice, can address the human condition and its addictive
tendencies. This will help us develop emotional sobriety and live more consistently in the present
moment.
“The other Steps can keep most of us sober and somehow functioning. But
STEP ELEVEN can keep us GROWING, if we try hard and work at it
continually. If we expend even five percent of the time on Step Eleven that
we habitually (and rightly) lavish on Step Twelve, the results can be
wonderfully far-reaching.”
Bill W; Grapevine, 1958