The Four “R”s are often put forth as a guideline for how to deal with thoughts in Centering practice: Resist no thought, Retain no thought, React emotionally to no thought, and Return, ever so gently, to the sacred word. All of these guidelines help us to understand the nature of the relationship we are called to with our thoughts. The first guideline in particular points to a fundamental element of Centering Prayer and other contemplative practices, and one that, unfortunately, is often misunderstood. Many people hear the contemplative call to detach from thoughts (or “Retain no thought”) and mistakenly believe that they are called to battle with their thoughts, or that to have a conscious thought during a prayer period is somehow to have failed at prayer. Yet, the primary guidance to “Resist no thought” makes it clear that thoughts have a critical role to play in Centering Prayer. Rather than an antagonistic relationship to our thoughts, we are called to an authentically loving relationship with our thoughts. When we love someone, we do not cling to them, nor would we ever think to intentionally block them out – rather, they are free to exist in easy fellowship with us, entering and exiting our field of view but resting comfortably in our hearts even when they are beyond our conscious awareness. So must it be with our thoughts.