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
- 5-Day Renewal Centering Prayer Retreat – Jan 16th – Jan 20th – offered by the Church of Conscious Harmony at the Cedarbrake Renewal Center in Belton, TX. This retreat will be led by Barbara Cook. Centering Prayer will be held in Driscoll Hall. Meals will happen in the Lodge. Check in begins at 4pm Friday, Jan 16. Dinner is served at 6pm. The retreat concludes by 11am Jan 20. Retreat includes expansive times of silence and solitude as well as private room with bedding and vegetarian meals. Space is limited For more details and to register, see this link.
- Introduction to Centering Prayer Class – Sat Jan 25th 12:00 – 2:00pm – offered by the Church of Conscious Harmony. This class is open to anyone wanting to learn the practice of Centering Prayer. This class is designed by Contemplative Outreach, based on Fr. Thomas Keatings book Open Mind, Open Heart. A light lunch will be provided. In addition to the initial class, there will be three follow-up meetings held at CCH on Sunday Feb 1, 8, and 15 from noon-1:15pm. To register, see this link.
- 1/2-Day Centering Prayer Retreat – Sat, Jan 31st, 9:00 – 12:00 pm CST – 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.
- 10-Day Lenten Centering Prayer Retreat – Feb 27th – Mar 8th – offered by the Church of Conscious Harmony at the Cedarbrake Renewal Center in Belton, TX. This retreat will be led by Fr. Carl Arico and will include extensive blocks of time for silence and solitude on the beautiful grounds of Cedarbrake. Centering Prayer will be held in Driscoll Hall and meals will be held in the Lodge. The retreat runs from 6pm on February 27 to 10:30am Sunday, March 8. Check in begins at 4pm Friday. Private room, bedding and vegetarian meals included. Early registration is encouraged. This retreat often fills quickly. For more details and to register, see this link.
For retreats and introduction to Centering Prayer workshops in the year of 2026, please see retreats and introductory workshops. Retreats and workshops for 2026 will be updated as they become available.
- Pray in Community: Our list of local Prayer Groups will be continually updated in 2026. 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 Misty Blahuta. 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
