Contemplative Dimensions of the 12 Steps

Exploring Centering Prayer as an 11th Step Practice

12 Step Outreach Is One of the Service Teams of Contemplative Outreach, Ltd

Our Vision: The vision of 12 Step Outreach is to pass on the gift of Centering Prayer and related spiritual practices to improve our conscious contact with a God of our understanding , wherever there is a desire for deeper healing from anyone in 12 Step recovery.

Our Mission: We are 12 Step people who practice Centering Prayer as our 11th Step and pass it on to others in 12 Step recovery.

Our Purpose: The purpose of 12 Step Outreach is to support one another in the process of spiritual transformation through the practice of Centering Prayer

In 2001, The 12 Step Outreach program of Contemplative Outreach was established to offer Centering Prayer to people in all 12 Step fellowships as an 11th Step prayer/meditation practice. We help individuals and groups establish contemplative prayer practices through workshops, retreats and formation programs. Thomas Keating's recent work, Divine Therapy and Addiction, reflects on the wisdom and the legacy of Alcoholics Anonymous and all 12 Step programs. The practice of Centering Prayer has parallels with other spiritual traditions and is easy to do.

For those who live by the 12 Steps found in AA, Al-Anon, SCA, OA, DA, NA, GA, and other programs, a Centering Prayer practice can be a key support system in the process of recovery and transformation.

Centering Prayer can help deepen our application of the 12 Steps generally, and the 11th Step specifically, through daily immersion in prayer and meditation. We believe that, when applied as a daily supplement to the 12 Steps, Centering Prayer open us to the deepest dimension of spirituality.

More information on Centering Prayer as the 11th Step visit the 12 Step Outreach website.

Local Resource:

Contemplative Outreach of Central Iowa supports the contemplative recovering community with an annual 12-step Centering Prayer Weekend Retreat for those in 12-step recovery.

Many have found Centering Prayer to be an essential 11th step practice that supports recovery, and helps to "improve our conscious contact with God as we understand God."