Intimacy with God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer

Father Keating makes some great points about the collective consciousness of Western and Eastern religions. He explores why meditators are so compelled to move East rather than vice versa and connects the dots between meditation and Christianity. There is room for both in a contemplative Christian's life. EXCELLENT book!

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.

I ordered a used copy of this book. It was just as I expected a "good" used book to be. I'd order from this seller again. The book is amazing!

The three positive aspects of the Centering Prayer (CP) movement and Keating's books are that CP provides a 'method' (tho it certainly is not the only one) for contemplative prayer (historically known as active contemplation); Keating has brought to light for our time the core Christian teaching of the Divine Indwelling; and Keating does a great job of outlining the history of contmplative prayer, describing how it has been neglected for the past 300 years yet is open to everyone, and inviting all Christians to engage in contemplative prayer. Hopefully the reader of Keatings's books will not stop with CP, however, but will go beyond it and read the original works of the Cloud of Unknowing, John of the Cross and other authors, who provide other methods for contemplative prayer as well. The greatest drawback of Keating's writings is his obsession with psychology, with 'the unconscious' and with what he calls its 'unloading'. He repeatedly states in this and other books that the primary purpose of contemplative prayer is 'divine therapy' to heal 'the emotional trauma of childhood'. He is wrong there. The 'therapy' paradigm is really of Keating's own making, and seems to reflect his own 'woundedness' that he projects onto everyone else and presumes will be everyone else's experience. But it is not a central theme by any means in the contemplative tradition (incl Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, the Cloud of Unknowing, Ruysbroek, Augustine Baker and on and on). The traditional writers speak of meeting God in quiet love and attention, resting in God (as Keating states very well) and often very positiive, consoling and sometimes ecstatic experiences along with. But there is nothing of the psychobabble one finds over and over in Keating's writings. Basil Pennington, one of the founders of CP, also avoids it in his writings on CP. And it should be avoided, not only because it is purely theoretical but because it is also unnecessary to one's practice and understanding of contemplative prayer. The purpose of contemplative prayer is to be, to spend time with God in quiet loving attention and to let the Holy Spirit love you in return. So if you buy this book, my advice is to focus selectively on Chapters 9 and 10 and the Intro, and think critically about what he says in the other chapters. Then, just buy the Cloud of Unknowing (translated by William Johnston, SJ) and use that as your primary source for a contemplative prayer method.

This book "Intimacy with God" is just that... a pathway to the discovery of the gift you already have... Intimacy with God's presencewithin your soul. This little book gives the history of how the great movement of "Contemplative Outreach" began and has now spread all over the world. It also answers the questions of how does one become intimate with God, to share your life and actions with Him. Its a step by step journey down the path of self-knowledge and how we can "let go" of the things that are holding us back. The book outlines what our "false self" is and the discovery of our "true self", learning to "let go", and of learning to pray not by words but by "intention." Silent Prayer is like a washing of our soul, a healing process of the scars of life that have left deep wounds within our physic. The hunger for peace, happiness and rest are gifts we were given at birth, but we have to discover them by the practice of silent pray. Its not "thinking" but "being"... its to narrow down time to the present moment and then "resting" in God's care and love for you. What you learn from this book you will desire to share with others and perhaps sit together in silentprayer sharing what is so precious... knowing how much God loves us. Do I hear a "amen" to this? Review by EarlLowen

Helpful diagrams - suggest you skip to pages 1-80 inclusive at a first reading first -(that's the "practice" section). As a C.of.E adherent, found much that was of course strongly Catholic in the other portions. Initially it seems the practice is not much more than "Be still and know that I am God!", and helpful advice about dealing with distracting thoughts. In the later stages it is implied that the welcomed Lord - both "within" ("Christ in you the hope of glory", Jesus statement at the Last Supper "I in you and you in me") - and "without" ,always present ("Where can I go from your Spirit....?" etc) ... will interact with us so that as John the Baptist said "He must grow greater and I lesser!" to achieve his great Plan for us. I don't at my stage experience this interaction - but I can believe it will increase the manifestation of the Fruis Of the Spirit, and draw me closer to the Lord. So that at our end it will be all of Him and nothing of me - lost in his love and goodness!

Not even 25 pages in, I know I'm going to love and cherish this book. I know I'm going to get this for some friends too.

I am pleasantly surprised by Thomas Keating's approach tpo prayer which makes absoloute sense and provides a way of gradually progressing to finding God's presence in one's life.

I was recommended to buy this book by a friend - I have just started reading it, although I am not too familiar with some of the terms used in the book - not being of the same faith as the author but from what I have read there will be useful lessons that I can take from this book.

Inspiring reading