Open Mind, Open Heart [Deluxe Edition] [Paperback]

Thomas Keating (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2006

This is the 20th anniversary edition of Continuum's best-selling spiritual classic, which has sold over half a million in the English language and has appeared in 10 foreign-language editions (Croatian, French, German, Hungarian, Indonesia, Italian, Korean, Polish, and Portuguese). The new edition consists of a substantial new preface, an expanded glossary, some changes in terminology, and a reordering of several chapters.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The leader within the Catholic world in the task of recovering our Christian contemplative heritage."—Ewert H. Cousins, general editor, World Spirituality: An Encyclopedic History of the Religious Quest (Ewert H. Cousins )

"My mother is a self-proclaimed 'soul shopper' from way back. We started going to St Benedict's Monastery in Snowmass when I was 7 years old. Several years later, Keating became a St. Benedict's monk. He developed centering prayer, which is a lot like meditation and what this book is about. He says that meditation (or centering prayer) is a way of reducing the obstacles to the development of grace. I can sit for only five to ten minutes. It's very hard for me. Still, when I get in trouble, it shifts my perspective. As they say, we don't pray to change our circumstances; we pray to change ourselves."-Felicity Huffman's Bookshelf in "Oprah's Books"

"The leader within the Catholic world in the task of recovering our Christian contemplative heritage."—Ewert H. Cousins, general editor, World Spirituality: An Encyclopedic History of the Religious Quest  (, )

"My mother is a self-proclaimed 'soul shopper' from way back. We started going to St Benedict's Monastery in Snowmass when I was 7 years old. Several years later, Keating became a St. Benedict's monk. He developed centering prayer, which is a lot like meditation and what this book is about. He says that meditation (or centering prayer) is a way of reducing the obstacles to the development of grace. I can sit for only five to ten minutes. It's very hard for me. Still, when I get in trouble, it shifts my perspective. As they say, we don't pray to change our circumstances; we pray to change ourselves."-Felicity Huffman's Bookshelf in "Oprah's Books" 

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: 176 pages
• Publisher: Continuum; 20th Edition edition (November 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826418899
• ISBN-13: 978-0826418890
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,276 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #40 in Books > Self-Help > Spiritual

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

76 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book on Contemplation Available, February 28, 2007

By 

Bruce W. Du Ve (Ireland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Open Mind, Open Heart (Paperback)

As a long term student of contemplative paths for over thirty years and with ten years experience of teaching groups, I found this book the most inspiring and refreshing work I have seen on the subject. My own background has included practical study of contemplation under various spiritual directors, ranging from the traditional Christian approach, to Egyptian Hermetism, Tibetan Dzogchen, Jnana yoga, influences from other Eastern practises and the Toltec Warrior path.

The most significant factor when reading something penned from such a great depth of experience culminating in real wisdom, is the absolute authority with which the author writes. His description of the actual states experienced, the practicalities of making real progress and the methods for handling difficulties, make it abundantly clear that he draws on a profound depth of real experience. It is as important a milestone in spiritual literature as the works of Meister Eckhart, the Cloud of Unknowing and The Ascent of Mount Carmel by Saint John of the Cross, but presented in a form that makes it both palatable to and immediately useful for the modern reader.

This is a wonderfully inspiring and significant work, of great value to anyone, from any background, who is seriously seeking direct experience of Self Realisation, be they a beginner or an old hand. It succeeds in crossing the apparent divides between different traditions, by focusing on the practicalities, in a delightful and humorous style. Reading this book is like sitting by the fire with an old friend.

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fresh organization, March 8, 2007

By 

Margie A. Tomlinson "mawt1940" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Open Mind, Open Heart (Paperback)

For those of you who have read the original edition of this book over the last twenty years, I think you will be pleased, as I am, with the reorganization and clarifying language that is in the 20th Anniversary edition. Because this is a book that one reads every year or two, it is well worth the small investment to purchase this refined, fresh organization and clarity of statements. For those of you who were hoping for inclusive language - sorry, at age 84 I can appreciate that inclusive language for God is a stretch too far. However, in his recent talks, Fr. Keating is care-filled to accommodate those for whom masculine pronouns for God are an offense.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Open Mind Open Heart, March 1, 2008

By 

Gentlewoman - See all my reviews

This review is from: Open Mind, Open Heart (Paperback)

This is a marvelous introduction to centering prayer. It answers basic questions and pulls the reader into God's love in a very methodical and reassuring way--reminding the reader that all one needs to do is to say "Yes" to God's grace. Takes a lot of pressure off "making it happen" which is so ingrained in Western society. "Be still and know that I am God" is a central theme. Open Mind Open Heart: The Contemplative Dimension of the Gospel