Intimacy With God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer [Paperback]

Thomas Keating (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1996

The prominent Trappist monk and founder of the centering prayer movement, Thomas Keating provides this poetic and accessible introduction to the method of Centering Prayer.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is perhaps Keating's most readable and enlightening work. Filled with insight and practical advice, it offers sound wisdom on the way that centering prayer can deepen our intimacy with God."  —Spiritual Book News

"Packed into this book is a treasury of spiritual history and teaching. There is a richness of complexity which is always disciplined by the simplicity of the goal of prayer—union (or intimacy) with God."  —St. Anthony Messenger

"For all those aspiring to a genuine spiritual life, Father Keating has charted a course that will take us progressively closer to our divine goal as we learn to touch God, first with the words of our lips, then with reflections of the mind and with the feelings of the heart."  —Living Prayer

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Publisher

A Trappist monk and founder of the Centering Prayer Movement, Thomas Keating provides this poetic and accessible introduction to the very method of Centering Prayer. Combining the experience of contemplation with the discernment of a spiritual director.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Crossroad Publishing (May 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0824515889
• ISBN-13: 978-0824515881
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #875,945 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

115 of 115 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Explanation and Defense of Centering Prayer Techniques, September 1, 2004

By 

Timothy Kearney (Haverhill, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Intimacy With God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer (Paperback)

It is my guess that people who are looking at this title are already familiar with Trappist priest Thomas Keating and his championing of centering prayer. It is also likely that people who are familiar with Keating may know something about the controversy that surrounds the man and his technique of centering prayer. Perusing some of the criticisms of his book "Open Mind, Open Heart" by some Amazon readers will highlight both the admiration many have of this man, as well as some of the controversy. While some of the objections to centering prayer have merit if centering prayer becomes just another form of meditation, this is not due to Keating's writings as much as a misreading of his works or a misunderstanding of his intentions.

In this work, Keating sets out to further explain the technique of centering prayer. While he does use some psychology in this work, it does so not contain the heavy psychological point of view that some of his other writings contain (at least not in the detail), nor does he focus too heavily on non-Christian traditions of meditation. Instead he discusses centering prayer and roots in the Christian tradition. He also offers personal reasons why this technique is so important for him, namely that he saw many people who are Christians traveling to other parts of the world searching for something that is an important part of Catholic monasticism. The book was published in the 1990's, after years of trial and error concerning the centering prayer, as well as his success at leading workshops that introduced many people to those form of prayer, and the book contains many anecdotes he learned along the way.

Keating clearly sees the importance of centering prayer as a way of connecting with God, and entering into the presence of God. While he views it as a solitary activity by its nature, he strongly suggests that people who participate in centering prayer be part of a larger faith community, and if possible a centering prayer group. He espouses spiritual direction. The book also espouses what he calls "Divine Therapy" where hurts that are deep within us can be surfaced and healed in a spiritual manner, though he is also careful to state that this is not a replacement of psychological therapy.

This book compliments Keating's other writings and can help the reader come to a deeper understanding of centering prayer and the part it can play in a Christian spirituality.

105 of 108 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keating's statement of the THEORY of centering prayer, July 24, 1998

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Intimacy With God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer (Paperback)

If you are familiar with Fr. Keating's OPEN MIND, OPEN HEART, you know his advice on the PRACTICE of centering prayer. INTIMACY WITH GOD offers a clear statement of his views on the theory behind this form of prayer. The two books together provide an in-depth introduction to centering prayer, a form of Christian meditation that can lead to the kind of prayer called "contemplative prayer" and can transform your life.

61 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars INTIMACY WITH GOD AN INTRODUCTION TO CENTERING PRAYER, December 24, 2002

By 

Walter Mock (Akron, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Intimacy With God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer (Paperback)

INTIMACY WITH GOD by Father Thomas Keating is one of the best books I have ever read about prayer. First and foremost Father Keatings book provided me with a safe haven to feel issues that I have felt since I was an orphan as a young boy. This book gave me affirmation and insight to my feelings about not only who God is but what it means to have a personal relationship with God in a hectic world. As I read this book the little boy in me felt God's loving arms and presence surround me and I felt an inner peace and excitement in what I was reading. As a Protestant Pastor I would strongly recommend this book by Father Keating to anyone who I may meet for a brother in Christ has written a very sensitive, loving book. If one desires to have a more intimate realtionship with God and not the world then read this book. The worse thing that may happen is you may stop and think about your priorities. By the end of the book you may also be thinking about what has been missing in my life that I need? The best thing is you may feel God's loving arms and presence in your life as you read and reflect. Reflect on where is God in my life? Maybe its time to take the step and find out! God be with you.