california centered

[Abstract Idea]

"I sat for a moment, trying to get 'centered,' as Californians say. I've no idea what the term means, but in my present circumstance, it seemed applicable."
From 'N is for noose' by Sue Grafton

What does "get centered" mean in the above expression?

[kfredson]

"I sat for a moment, trying to get 'centered,' as Californians say. I've no idea what the term means, but in my present circumstance, it seemed applicable."
From 'N is for noose' by Sue Grafton

What does "get centered" mean in the above expression?

It means to find your own center. For instance, we might say "Amidst all the confusion and cares of the world it is hard to find peace within, to feel that we are truly ourselves, that we are 'centered.'"

I hope that is helpful. I could say it better if I were a Californian!

[Abstract Idea]

It means to find your own center. For instance, we might say "Amidst all the confusion and cares of the world it is hard to find peace within, to feel that we are truly ourselves, that we are 'centered.'"

I hope that is helpful. I could say it better if I were a Californian!

Thank you kfredson. I guess I get it.
Is it really true that such expression is kind of a "California trade mark", that is, is it most used in California, as the book seems to suggest? Or is it used widely throughout the US ?

[kfredson]

No, it is commonly used all across the country. It is a bit New Age-y, if you know what I mean.

[Raymott]

Thank you kfredson. I guess I get it.
Is it really true that such expression is kind of a "California trade mark", that is, is it most used in California, as the book seems to suggest? Or is it used widely throughout the US ?

A lot of 'New Age' expressions were coined or made popular in California during the 60s-70s, the age of 'flower power'. Places like San Francisco were the centre of a new type of spirituality, mostly derivative from India but with a Western flavour.
New types of pop psychology, like encounter groups, led to the need for new words to express concepts that were new to English speakers. These words have diffused throughout the world by now, so generally these days 'being centred' would not be linked to California - nor vice versa.

Some slogans, like "Make Love, Not War" and "Turn on, tune in, drop out" do evoke that time and place.