Invitation to Love: The Way of Christian Contemplation [Paperback]

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

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1994

In the course of numerous workshops and retreats Father Keating is asked many questions regarding contemplative practice. How will it affect my life? Where does it lead us spiritually? What obstacles will I encounter along the way? How does it work? As Keating answers, this book is "an attempt to provide a road map, as it were, for the journay that begins when Centering Prayer is seriously undertaken...for a deepening relationship with God.">

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Keating, a well-known Trappist priest and retreat leader, provides an excellent, basic introduction to contemporary contemplative practice in ordinary life. He integrates classic Christian teaching with 20th-century psychology, presenting meditation as spiritual therapy. His aim is to lead people from emotional and temperamental reaction to spiritual freedom, out of which contemporary global problems can be addressed. Keating is especially good at addressing the "why" of spiritual practice, though he also discusses the "how" and the stages of spiritual development. Recommended for public and seminary libraries.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 151 pages
• Publisher: Continuum (June 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082640698X
• ISBN-13: 978-0826406989
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #80,848 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

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Invitation to Deeper Prayer, January 24, 2001

By 

Steven K. Szmutko (EWING, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Invitation to Love: The Way of Christian Contemplation (Paperback)

INVITATION TO LOVE is the third of Father Keating's books to deal with Christian Comtemplation, centering prayer and developing a deeper understanding of our relationship to God. This type of prayer, unlike more active forms, enables us to "rest in God's presence" and can help us in our journey toward God.

In this book, the author discusses the many false programs for happiness and levels of human consciousness, giving the reader a better understanding of how we seek God on our terms, rather than on His. Our obstacles to prayer are shown in the context of our psychological background and social upbringing, yet Father Keating does so in a clear, yet inspiring style.

As other reviewers have noted, the reader may get more out of this book by reading OPEN MINDS, OPEN HEARTS and THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST. I read both of those books and found that each built on the other. Together, they are an excellent resource.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keating to the rescue again!, April 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Invitation to Love: The Way of Christian Contemplation (Paperback)

Having been to a retreat led by Father Keating, I find a seamless connection between the man and his books. Invitation to Love follows his typical pattern of treating profound spiritual issues with simplicity of style and great respect for the connection between spiritual and psychological growth. The ostrich can't see with his head in the sand; neither can we "see" spiritually until we have wiped the sand from our eyes and looked at our psychological formation and its effects on us as adults. Keating explains this connection and provides ways to progress from an "I-centered" to a spiritually-centered way of life. Reading this book was a gift to myself!

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Accepting His Invitation, October 27, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Invitation to Love: The Way of Christian Contemplation (Paperback)

The book title spells it clearly. We ponder the reason the creation, well, it is about love. God invites us to a relationship with him. Keating's work is outstanding, he explores the pyschological, sociological and spiritual aspects of abiding with God. This is is NOT religion, if you want lithurgy go to church. This is about getting an invitation from God to come into a secret room(your heart) close the door and spend the rest of eternity with Him. END