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Title: Open Mind, Open Heart: The Contemplative Dimension of the Gospel by Thomas Keating ISBN: 0-8264-0696-3 Publisher: Harper Collins - UK Pub. Date: January, 2000 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.3 (33 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: You Don't Need To Go To India
Comment: Like the great Asian religions, Christianity has a long tradition of meditation and mysticism, but that history has been widely forgotten in recent centuries. Thomas Keating, a Cistercian priest, monk and abbot, is among those who have revitalized this meditative practice, called Centering Prayer, for contemporary times.
Centering Prayer is much like the Buddhist Vipassana, or Insight Meditation, except that instead of keeping your attention on the breath, you focus on your acceptance of God's presence within you.
This difference is vitally important. One major result is what Keating calls the "purification of the false self." It is well known among Buddhists that Vipassana does not resolve psychological problems. You can become enlightened, and still be obnoxious. However Centering Prayer's focus on God's presence within enables God to bring our psychological problems to the surface and release them over time.
Although Keating is a Catholic, Centering Prayer has spread rapidly among other Christians and non-Christians because it doesn't depend on any theological dogmas.
Rating: 4
Summary: An Introduction to Contempaltrive Prayer by a True Master
Comment: Trappist Monk Fr. Thomas Keating's book OPEN MIND, OPEN HEART is considered by many to be a modern classic on contemplative prayer and an introduction to centering prayer. After attending a workshop on centering prayer and later leading such a workshop, I can attest to the helpfulness of this book and Fr. Keating's important insights. While some are critical of his methods, believing they are heavily influenced by Eastern spiritual practices, this is somewhat misleading. While Keating does use some terminology and references to Eastern techniques, his ideas are based on the tradition of the Cistercians, the Catholic religious order to which be belongs.
In the aftermath of Vatican II, many religious orders returned to the texts of their founders and early pioneers so that the orders could be true to their calling. The popularity of contemplative prayer and centering prayer is a result of the Cistercians returning to their founding texts. For Keating, a leader in this effort, this included exploring the writings of St. Benedict, the Desert Fathers and Mothers, Cistercian greats such as Bernard of Clairvaux and Aelred of Rievaulx, and the anonymous author of THE CLOUD OF UNKNOWING. These are hardly radical writers in the history of Christianity. Since these people lived prior to the opening of the east to the west, they could not have been influenced by Eastern spiritual techniques. Certainly as a spiritual master, Keating is familiar with Eastern techniques, but does not use them in a way that is contrary to Christianity. Also, Keating is writing for people, living in the world, and sees this method of prayer as a way of experiencing God for action in the world. It is not intended to make a person draw more inward in a way that is selfish, but rather as a way of being more Christ-like and more self giving.
Centering prayer is not for everyone, but it is helpful for many. After reading this book and applying its methods, readers will know whether this technique will be helpful in their own spiritual journeys. For those who may not find this method helpful, certainly Keating's spiritual insights will help the reader draw closer to God in other ways.
Rating: 5
Summary: An Essential
Comment: One of the biggest problems for anyone attempting a spiritual, prayerful life, exactly how to go about praying is a problem. The obvious vocal, ritualistic prayers are simple enough and Christians utilize this method fully, but a true spiritual relationship is difficult to develop.
That's why Keating's work is important. He shows us a method we might utilize towards that end. My primary hang-ups and questions considering contemplative and centering prayer were entirely addressed by this work, and there's no doubt in my mind that I'd recommend it to anyone looking to further their prayer life.
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Title: Invitation to Love: The Way of Christian Contemplation by Thomas Keating ISBN: 082640698X Publisher: Continuum Pub Group Pub. Date: December, 1994 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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Title: Intimacy With God by Thomas Keating ISBN: 0824515889 Publisher: Crossroad/Herder & Herder Pub. Date: May, 1996 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: Centering Prayer in Daily Life and Ministry by Thomas Keating, Gustave Reininger ISBN: 0826410413 Publisher: Continuum Pub Group Pub. Date: May, 1998 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: The Human Condition: Contemplation and Transformation (Wit Lectures.) by Thomas Keating ISBN: 0809138824 Publisher: Paulist Press Pub. Date: September, 1999 List Price(USD): $6.95 |
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Title: Active Meditations for Contemplative Prayer by Thomas Keating ISBN: 0826410618 Publisher: Continuum Pub Group Pub. Date: December, 1997 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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