Quakers Do It: Recollection/Centering Down
Quakers call it “centering down” and Sue Monk Kidd calls it the “prayer of presence.” Monastics call it recollection. So you have your choice of names or clearly an invitation to invent your own. No matter what you might call it; recollection is a process of centering, a process of making the mind still and quite.
This often starts with making your body still, comfortable, quite and prepared. Some people take this time and focus on an image or imagine Jesus, Moses or probably even a old friend sitting in the chair near-by. Others take a more physical approach and I find that helps me as my mind wonders or I want to take a nap. Richard Foster shares this as “palms down, palms up” in his book 'Celebration of Discipline'.
Centering Down is an outward reflection of what is happening inward. You may imagine your palms up as a posture of receiving. It says you are open to God’s presence. You might think of turning your palms down when a distraction presses in or a weighty concern rises up in your mind. Turning your plans down might be a chance to say, “I’m letting go.” You could finish the phrase “I release my……” or “I give over my…….” as concerns come your way.
They may be little moments in the day like an unhelpful comment from a co-worker, an email that didn’t feel pleasant, a longing for more time to care for a sick parent or child. It can be major moments in life like illness, deep grief or the struggle to find life-giving work. This is space where you can imagine setting those cares aside, even if it is for only a moment or two.
As you release the struggles with your palms down you might be prepared to turn your palms up and say, “God, I would like to receive calm before my Doctors appointment tomorrow.” Or “God, grant me your love for my co-worker.”
Richard Foster concludes, “Having centered down, spend the remaining moments in complete silence. Do not ask for anything. Allow God to commune with you, to love you. If impressions or directions come, fine; if not, fine.”