Active Meditations for Contemplative Prayer [Hardcover]

Thomas, O.C.S.O. Keating (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1997

According to Thomas Keating, contemplative prayer can be defined as: "The development of one's relationship with Christ to the point of communing beyond words, thoughts, feelings, and the multiplication of particular acts. It is a process that moves from the simplified activity of waiting upon God to the predominance of the Gifts of the Spirit as the source of one's prayer." Active Meditations for Contemplative Prayer contains over 100 selections from the wisdom of several of Father Keating's most popular and significant works, including the best-selling Open Mind, Open Heart.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Father Thomas Keating is known throughout the world as an exponent, teacher, and writer on contemplative prayer. A Cistercian (Trappist) monk of St. Benedict's Monastery, Snowmass, Colorado, he is a founder of the Centering Prayer Movement and of Contemplative Outreach. He is the author of numerous books, particularly of the trilogy Open Mind, Open Heart; Invitation to Love; and The Mystery of Christ. Among his most recent books is The Daily Reader for Contemplative Living, compiled by S. Stephanie Iachetta. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Continuum (November 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826410618
• ISBN-13: 978-0826410610
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 4.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,361,011 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Thomas Keating, founder of the centering prayer movement, is an author, teacher, and monk who has worked for many years to foster understanding among the world's religions. A member of the Cistercian Order in the Benedictine tradition, Father Keating has served at monasteries in Colorado and Massachusetts. He currently directs retreats in the practice of Centering Prayer, a cornerstone of contemporary Christian contemplative practice. He is the author of the best-selling Open Mind, Open Heart, Fruits and Gifts of the Spirit, St. Therese of Lisieux, Manifesting God, and The Transformation of Suffering, Divine Therapy and Addiction, among many other books. He lives at St. Benedict's Monastery in Snowmass, Colorado.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Source For Meditation and Centering Prayer, April 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Active Meditations for Contemplative Prayer (Hardcover)

Fr. Keating provides insight and inspiration in brief passages for a wide range of catagories-from centering prayer, thoughts, faith, divine energy, service and scripure. These are great short readings to lead a small group, or quiet yourself for prayer.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Daily Companion, May 3, 2008

By 

Sean M. McLaughlin "Sean Michael McLaughlin -... (Lansing, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Active Meditations for Contemplative Prayer (Paperback)

This book is essentially a small book of quotes from Keating's other literary works grouped together into small "chapters" based on certain topics. At first I didn't know what to do with this book, as it can be read through in about one hour from cover to cover. Then I thought, "Well, I'll just read one 'chapter' a day before I do one of my practices of contemplative prayer as a sort of mood builder." Well, for all of you who know about centering prayer, mental prayer, and such, "being in the mood" isn't a pre-requisite as prayer is grace - all you have to do is show up - you cannot fail! But still, I like to read one "chapter" a day before one of my prayers of recollection and this was probably some of the best $11 I ever spent.

5.0 out of 5 stars Makes me wish I was Catholic, December 22, 2011

By 

Debnance at Readerbuzz (Alvin, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Active Meditations for Contemplative Prayer (Paperback)

When I read a book like this, it makes me wish I was a Catholic. The book is a compilation of little quotes from theologian Keating's earlier books. In the forward to the book, Gustave Reininger writes that this book can be thought of as a "minute book," something Keating suggested, a book that one can take along in a pocket or a purse, "a series of short readings---a sentence or two, or at most a short paragraph---from your favorite spiritual writers or from your own journal that reminds you of your commitment to Christ and to contemplative prayer."

Here's one sample, originally from Keating's Heart of the World: "Vulnerability means to be hurt over and over again without seeking to love less, but more."