A new psychometric tool, the Centering for Wisdom Assessment (CWA), reliably measures the link between contemplative practices and practical wisdom. Across five studies, the CWA showed internal consistency, correlated with mindfulness, and did not correlate with religious commitment. It predicted wisdom, hope, forgiveness, stress, anxiety, and depression beyond mindfulness. Experts in contemplative prayer scored differently from a matched general public sample. The CWA is ready for use in pedagogical, spiritual, or leadership development.
Contemplative prayer practices among Polish Catholics, both charismatic and non-charismatic, shape and are shaped by how they represent God's presence—as transcendent, immanent, close, all-permeating, indwelling, or sacramental. Although participants rarely used the term 'contemplation,' their practices, including breath prayer and attention to posture, aligned with Catholic teachings on contemplative prayer. The research suggests a reciprocal relationship between God representations and prayer practices, with implications for theology, psychology, and caregiving.