Customer Reviews

Invitation to Love: The Way of Christian Contemplation

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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.

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!

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

Father Keating displays a gift for imparting essential points of mystic theology (a beauty so ancient and so new ... could not resist adding that, because many of his references are Augustinian) in a manner so gentle that they seem simple reflections. (At this moment, I hope that my reference to "mystic theology" does not cause potential readers to click the back button.) Scriptural references abound, and are often haunting - so much so that the translations (his own?), which are rather excessively colloquial, do not make one wince. The author explains points clearly and well, and generally with an engaging charm. Very fine work.

Abbot Keating's work here reflects not only maturity in Christ but a passion to paint images of many scenes along the spiritual journey. This book will challenge the reader and as well it should. This journey is the challenge of the cosmos and you'll bloody well get a better handle on that once you've read Fr. Thomas Keating's book. You will see why Fr. Louis of Gethsemani wrote that "alleluia is the song of the desert" as you embrace and enter into the invitation portrayed so lovingly in this book. It is easy to see why Fr. Keating became Abbot of St. Joseph's Abbey. This is a very, very good book and you'll join with me in thanking God for Thomas Keating once you've read it.

This is one book I would recommend most highly to anyone who thinks about learning more about prayer and hungers for more. The subtitle, "The Way of Christian Contemplation" should not frighten anyone because it is not "new" nor is it just a "technique." Rather, it follows from the best tradition of the church, including John of the Cross, Theresa of Avila and others. Fr. Keating's writing is simple, clear, using examples we can all identify with. No one needs a theology degree for this, just a hunger to learn about deeper prayer. At 140 pages, Keating give a great introduction....and in fact lots more than just a start.

Common sense definitions of Original Sin and spiritual evolution. Outlines Jesus program for true happiness. Shows how contemplative prayer and living the Beatitudes can bring you into an awareness of God, which can lead to transforming union with the Deity

Fr Thomas Keating has written a book that gleans from among the best of the Church's contemplative resources such as John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila, Cloud of Unknowing and presents it afresh with a gentle and winsome voice to today's would-be contemplatives. For many who find some of the deep classics on prayer such as those mentioned somewhat dense or obscure will find much to resonate with in 'Invitation to Love'. The method of Centering Prayer which he has helped develop and promote for our generation is a simple and rewarding way of prayer if one sets aside regular time for it. It is together with faithful practice and spiritual growth that one comes to grasp more deeply what is written here. However, even if one is a newbie to Centering Prayer or treads a different prayer path, there is much that one can relate to and find helpful such as his thoughts on the famous 'night of the sense' and 'night of the spirit' which are commonly encountered in one's prayer as one advances. Familiarity with such experiences helps one persist and let God take us to a deeper level of union with him.

Then, there is that beautiful story about Bernie, a real person of great love and generosity, who lives his life to the hilt in a monastery and when the time comes for him to let go, he drops everything in less than a moment's notice. It's an inspiring story of how true prayer makes a person fully human, fully alive!

This is one of the better books on prayer I have read - easy, down-to-earth and powerful. Highly recommended! But be sure to read 'Open Mind Open Heart' before reading this for a good grasp of Centering Prayer, which is the backbone of Keating's thoughts on prayer.

Absolutely brilliant. Fr. Keating is an instrument of God and a light to the world. This book is an intricate and profound blending of psychology and spirituality.

This is a book I've read three times now. I plan to read it again once I get it back from my brother. It is a guidebook and is easy to read. I highly recommend this book if you are looking to deepen your prayer life.