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Intimacy With God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer

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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.

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.

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.

This is another excellent book from Father Thomas Keating and signifies a solid introduction to the theory and practice of Centering Prayer. I encourage anyone who has immersed themselves in any of the wonderful eastern meditational practices, but who have always longed for something similar in a Christian context, to pick this book up and give Centering Prayer a try. This recommendation, though, should in no way dissuade those whose interest and path have been exclusively Christian. For the practice of Centering Prayer, as Father Keating so aptly explains in this wonderful book, is Christian through and through. What impresses me so much about the whole Centering Prayer movement, if one can describe it as such, is that this is not sugarcoated, watered-down, or pie-in-the-sky fluff. Keating's explorations concerning the unconscious and his paradigm of Centering Prayer as Divine Therapy are critical to an understanding of our spiritual and worldly proclivities. How many of us have pondered, along with St. Paul in one of his epistles, why we continue to do those things we wish we didn't, and why we find it so difficult at times to do the things we know we should? Father Keating's expert melding of spiritual and psychological wisdom has updated a centuries-old practice to appeal to our modern era. I owe Father Keating a debt of gratitude for his excellent writings and his tireless work on behalf of Contemplative Outreach. I sincerely hope that you get as much from reading his works as I have.

I was one of those kids who was forced to go to church every Sunday morning whether I wanted to or not. So I'd sit in the pew, kneel, read, listen, etc... for the hour that I had to and then rejoice when I was finally able to leave that place. For me there was no meaning to what I was doing. This book actually brings spirituality to the Catholic Church, something I've long thought impossible.

Father Keating, who is one of the most spiritual people I've had the pleasure of meeting, examines the early Christian practices of Contemplative Meditation and how it can help us become connected to God once again. His research goes back to books from the first millenium of the very early Christians, as well as relies on some of the declarations made by the Second Vatican Council.

The similiarities to meditiations practiced in some of the eastern religions is pretty remarkable and these are pointed out. I have some experience with meditating and it struck me as very similiar to Mindful Meditation but there a distinct difference in that there is intent with Contemplative Meditation.

Keating talks about a love relationship with God. What is important is your INTENTION. As one who has desired union with God more than anything else all my life, this is a welcome book. For those of you who have plunged into divers religions searching for God this is the direction to go. Keating though fails to mention the preamble to union with God, namely justification with God through Faith in Christ. It is assumed you have found an initial peace with God, and this is the GROWTH of that peace to envelope your whole being and merge you in God. For those in christainity who have had a lot of high experiences but no steady relationship this book is for you. DO it!!! as keating says, and it will do you!! Enough cannot be said about the book, an excellent combination of psychology, philosophy, christainity, and sociology. An introduction to the practice of forsaking all to be with your sweetheart, living in you.....God

Very good. Helps you go deeper with God. Easy to understand. Not too long.

This was a book that I have enjoyed and learned much from, but it wasn't without effort.

First, let me say that I rate Intimacy With God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer a very good book on the subject of centering (or contemplative) prayer. I think it shares and teaches legitimate tools (techniques) that can be used to help facilitate prayerful union with God, but I don't think this book is a "how to" manual of sorts. I believe that centering prayer is not something that can be taught through step programs as such, but centering prayer begins with the Spirit of God drawing the person into this holy and sacred union. Disclaimer aside, it is a good book.

I mentioned it was not without effort for me to read and glean from the book; the first few chapters, from the introduction to chapter three, were very difficult reading for me. I realize the care that Thomas Keating was taking to provide a foundation and education before moving into the practice of centering prayer, but it was tough reading for me; I got lost with the flow of the writing and I misunderstood his points on several occasions. It was only through persevering through these introductory chapters that later chapter and explanation helped to make sense of some of the earlier work. I make this observation in light of familiarity with Keating's writing style (Open Mind, Open Heart; The Better Part; The Mystery of Christ; The Human Condition; and others) which I have easily understood. Chapters four through seven (Divine Therapy, Deepening the Experience, Guiding Contemplatives, and Lectio Divina: Listening to Scripture) were, by far, my favorites.

It is important to understand the context that Keating frames this book. He contends that centering prayer is entirely a work of God that we enter into. He also contends this is the highest, deepest, and most unifying expression of prayer with God, but it is not meant to be an exclusive expression. In this book and in other works of his he states the following:

What centering prayer is and is not: (1) it is not a techniques but a way of cultivating a deeper relationship with God (2) it is not a relaxation exercise but it may be quite refreshing (3) it is not a form of self-hypnosis but a way to quiet the mind while maintaining its alertness (4) it is not a charismatic gift but a path of transformation (5) it is not a para-psychological experience but an exercise of faith, hope, and selfless love (6) it is not limited to the "felt" presence of God but is rather a deepening of faith in God's abiding presence (7) it is not reflective or spontaneous prayer but simply resting in God beyond thoughts, words, and emotions.

I think the about quote from Keating is important information to know. Additionally, I think because of the importance and the effectiveness in developing the relationship with God centering prayer affords the Christian, they would be well-informed to read additional works on the subject. Keating is faithful to provide several works for additional study in the appendices of Intimacy With God.

This is a good book and I learned a lot. I have realized a language for sharing this expression of prayer that I have found difficulty talking about previously. I have also been encouraged with the some of the supporting practices I learned in the book. It will be one that I recommend although there are others on this subject I have enjoyed more.

Although the concept of Centering Prayer has been around for quite some time, it is new to me. It has given me pause to think about my relationship with God.

While Open Mind, Open Heart is Keating's classic, this book is much more readable, especially for someone who's not interested in all the technical details of centering prayer. The focus in centering prayer is on consenting to God's being and acting in us, and this book makes the focus clear. Enough technical details to reinforce the beginner or even the experienced practioner, though.