Contemplative Prayer: Traditional Christian Meditations for Opening to Divine Union

by Thomas Keating

"The Cloud of Unknowing" is one of Christianity's enduring mysteries—a meditative state where God is experienced on the deepest interior level. On Contemplative Prayer, Father Thomas Keating introduces you to the uplifting system of Centering Prayer, a revival of the contemplations practiced in the cloisters and monasteries of Europe since medieval times.

This complete three-CD set covers: the contemplative path and true freedom; four steps to prayer; overcoming emotional programs; the psychology of prayer; the seven fruits of contemplative prayer; and much more.

Genres: Spirituality, Audiobook, Religion, Christian, Christianity, Nonfiction, Theology

Audio CD

First published March 1, 1995

About the author

Keating entered the Cistercian Order in Valley Falls, Rhode Island in January, 1944. He was appointed Superior of St. Benedict's Monastery, Snowmass, Colorado in 1958, and was elected abbot of St. Joseph's Abbey, Spencer, Massachusetts in 1961. He returned to Snowmass after retiring as abbot of Spencer in 1981, where he established a program of ten-day intensive retreats in the practice of Centering Prayer, a contemporary form of the Christian contemplative tradition.

He is one of three architects of Centering Prayer, a contemporary method of contemplative prayer, that emerged from St. Joseph's Abbey in 1975. Frs. William Menninger and Basil Pennington, also Cistercian monks, were the other architects.
n 1984, Fr. Thomas Keating along with Gustave Reininger and Edward Bednar, co-founded Contemplative Outreach, Ltd., an international, ecumenical spiritual network that teaches the practice of Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina, a method of prayer drawn from the Christian contemplative tradition. Contemplative Outreach provides a support system for those on the contemplative path through a wide variety of resources, workshops, and retreats.
Fr. Keating currently lives at St. Benedict's Monastery in Snowmass, Colorado.

Reviews

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was exceptional audiobook though it really was a three part talk by Thomas Keating. The first section was all about how the false self and how as children we allow the hurts of our past to follow us through adulthood. I especially like how he shows the listener that simply reading the Word will not abate the ravages of childhood or our experiences. It takes a quiet, giving it up to the Lord through quiet, contemplative prayer. I really like the fact that Keating uses scripture throughout and he always was referring to the love of Christ. Sometimes it alarms me to hear the lack of scripture or referring to Christ in some Catholic books or lectures. I didn't find this lack at all in this audiobook. I highly recommend it.

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

do again again

[Alyssa Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short series of talks, pulled together and put into audiobook format, but it isn't a classic book. Usually this bothers me, but for this particular "book" it works perfectly. In particular I love Keating's idea that contemplative prayer is our practicing giving consent to God's presence. God is always present, but during contemplative prayer we are saying we want God to be present with us, and we want to be present with Him. I listened through this twice and will likely listen again as I learn more about centering prayer.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not Catholic (you might say Protestant) and I am certainly Christian. This was a helpful book for me at this time in my life. I would recommend if for anyone struggling through "prayer life" and needs to put priorities in order. I did like Father Keating's delivery and teaching style. It is short work and what do have to lose, if your reading this you should give it a little of your time.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just what I needed to listen to on audiobook at the start of these 12 days of 2020 Christmas. I’d like to listen again. Doing the deep contemplative prayer work has loosened all sorts of unpleasantries and I’m learning I need to sit and experience them as they pass downstream so that I can let go.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

[Gracewellworn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pleasure to listen to

[Elisha Lawrence · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh

[Joey C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Contemplative prayer: you don’t think ABOUT God so it doesn’t raise the ideas of god and tied reactions that are errant.
Disregarding subconscious pursuit of happiness that we all script our lives by
Body of water with conscious thoughts as boats etc on water, makes it hard to see into the water below
Move beyond thoughts and feeling and accept god for who he is without our thoughts and interpretations. Leaving behind human props and allow god to be god on his own terms. God in himself transcends all those other ways of knowing. Go into the ‘cloud of unknowing’ in an act of faith.
Goal is not to be free of thoughts—that’s impossible—but to learn to be detached from them.
Resist no thought, retain no thought, react (emotionally or judgmentally) to no thought
Receptionist

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is actually a short book (4 hours) that I slowed down to savor. For someone trying to develop a mindfulness practice, this is helpful.

I felt I wasn't understanding all the good nourishment that is here - and talking to friends I find this is pretty deep for a novice, so I will return. I did find the use of silence, and just being in the presence of God by starting with a chosen sacred word beautiful. I also liked the reference of being like a muddy pond, and letting the silt and mud settle a nice image.

I rated this as high as I did because he made me want to learn more.

[Pat Loughery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a young, wise, funny Thomas Keating presenting on his home subject of centering prayer. It's the best resource I've encountered on the subject, especially good for readers who want a treatment of the psychological aspects of centering prayer.

After returning my library copy, I'm purchasing a copy of this one for my shelves.

[Jackie St Hilaire · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good beginning in understanding contemplative prayer.

You cannot find a better explanation of the contemplative way than Thomas Keating.
Keating brings us the seeds of contemplation straight out of Thomas Merton. The two are a wonderful combination.
Done with clarity and stories just like Jesus taught his followers