Fruits and Gifts of the Spirit [Paperback]

Thomas Keating (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2000

Thomas Keating has spent more than fifty years in sustained practice and devotion to the spiritual life. The results of this creative, humble activity are now summarized in this remarkable book, Fruits and Gifts of the Spirit.

As Father Keating says, the spiritual journey is a gradual process of enlarging our emotional, mental, and physical relationship with the divine reality that is present in us, but one not ordinarily accessible to our emotions or concepts. The spiritual journey teaches us, first, to believe in the Divine Indwelling within us, fully present and energizing every level of our being; second, to recognize that this energy is benign, healing, and transforming; and third, to enjoy its gradual unfolding, step-by-step, both in prayer and in action.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Two Catholic presses have issued slim volumes on the gifts of the Spirit promised to faithful Christians by the New Testament. The much-published lecturer Thomas Keating focuses on the inner and personal meaning of the gifts of the Spirit; while the Haase's focus on the broader ecclesial or social potential of the gifts. Keating on fortitude: "It gives us energy to overcome major obstacles in the way of our spiritual growth." Haase and Haase on the same: "It transforms ordinary people into prophets who stand up for what is right." Each of these volumes is valuable and engagingly written; Keating's is more suitable for meditation and spiritual retreat, the Haases' for church study groups. Recommended for collections where there is a strong Catholic readership.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Dom Thomas Keating, OCSO, 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 bestselling Open Mind, Open Heart, Fruits and Gifts of the Spirit, St. Therese of Lisieux, Manifesting God, and The Transformation of Suffering, among many other books. He lives at St. Benedict's Monastery in Snowmass, Colorado.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Lantern Books; 1st edition (November 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1930051212
• ISBN-13: 978-1930051218
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 4.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #195,382 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

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical, down-to-earth spiritual view of the Gifts, May 1, 2003

By 

C. Cox "paint-cat" (New Albany, IN United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Fruits and Gifts of the Spirit (Paperback)

The Gifts of the Spirit have always seemed a little fuzzy when it came to living them in my life. Then I read this book and found a whole new way of looking at the Gifts. Besides being more of a practical interpretation/explanation of them, I found a GREAT encouragement for my spiritual growth in that I could see them operating in MY life after reading what Keating had to say. I have read and re-read the book several times and meditated on parts of it, becoming more and more grateful for God's blessings in my life. Perhaps you, too, will find it inspiring and encouraging.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly enlightening and inspiring, February 27, 2005

By 

C. Campbell "carliber1" (Tampa FL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Fruits and Gifts of the Spirit (Paperback)

Every book that I've read by this author, including this one, was really worth my effort. But I must say that this one is more special because it names and clearly describes key dispositions that are fundamental to true conversion. In another of his book "Invitation to Love" chapters 17 & 18, the first four Beatitudes and the last four, respectively, the author does an admirable job of relating the heart and soul of the present title to the Beatitudes. In doing this, he powerfully drives home the point of imitating Christ(or of even being more Christ-like). The way to conversion is not easy, nor did anyone say that it would be.

28 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fruits and Gifts of the Spirit, is Keating's Gift to Us., July 26, 2001

By 

Edward H. Sheppley (Dubuque, Iowa USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Fruits and Gifts of the Spirit (Paperback)

Thomas Keating has such an openess about himself. He shares vividly, experiences that have moulded his life. It is through his sharing and examples, that allow us to understand, in new ways, Biblical Scripture. I have put into practice his thoughts in my ministry, shortly after reading this book. I am Thankful, for this meaningful work.