Intimacy with God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer by Thomas Keating | Goodreads
Intimacy with God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer
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Intimacy with God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer
by Thomas Keating
4.21 · Rating details · 481 ratings · 33 reviews
The prominent Trappist monk and founder of the centering prayer movement, Thomas Keating provides this poetic and accessible introduction to the method of Centering Prayer.
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Paperback, 176 pages
Published May 1st 1996 by The Crossroad Publishing Company (first published January 1st 1994)
Original TitleIntimacy with God
ISBN0824515889 (ISBN13: 9780824515881)
Edition LanguageEnglish
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Intimacy with God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer
Intimacy with God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer
Intimacy with God
Intimidad con Dios
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Average rating4.21 · Rating details · 481 ratings · 33 reviews
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Nate
Aug 08, 2011Nate rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Shelves: spirituality, catholic
This book was recommended to me by a monk in his eighties in a meeting of spiritual direction with me. I had been feeling very attracted to the practice of Zen meditation for its focus on the present moment, breathing, and acceptance of change, pain, emotional ups and downs, etc. I had felt that my prayer life was getting too cluttered with words. I had enjoyed for quite some time praying various forms of the hours, but often felt that I was just rushing through them because there was too much verbal/left-brain material. Centering prayer seems to bring together the best of modern psychological insights marrying them to an ancient practice, but making its explanation more simple and applicable to someone of the 21st century. One of the big differences between centering prayer and other forms of meditation, especially Buddhist forms, is that centering prayer is a focusing of one's intention rather than attention. The main purpose of centering prayer is to focus one's intention to allowing God's spirit to come and change one's heart to become more Christlike. This requires a lot of pain and inner turmoil as one's ego/small self becomes dislodged and burned away. It also creates more space in one's soul for acceptance of God's will. (less)
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Stephanie
Jan 27, 2011Stephanie rated it liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: christian
Let me just say if I were to pass this book in a bookstore I wouldn't give it a second thought. While looking at its mystical cover, and the Buddhist looking author on the back cover, I'd immediately assume it was some sort of new-age meditative read. While some may go for that, I myself would have passed it right up.
However, regardless of the cover, I was told to read this book to get a deeper insight on Contemplative Prayer. Although I had a few issues with the book (like the Holy Spirit being referred to as "she") I gotta admit it's still a very insightful read. There are moments where the author gets right to the root of contemplative prayer and explains its importance for all, regardless of your religion.
If you really truly want to feel that deep connection with God, this author shows us a level of prayer most of us don't do or are even aware of. It's not meditation or some new-age method, it's actually an old technique Christ Himself used. It's all about looking within yourself and to God, no outside distractions or excuses, just you and Him. (less)
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D'Linda
Feb 19, 2019D'Linda rated it it was amazing
A must read:
- refresh you faith
- let God work on your soul
- lower your blood pressure
- bring hope back to your existance
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Russell Burnett
Nov 16, 2011Russell Burnett rated it it was amazing
I read this book and immediately tuned to page one and read it again. Donald Miller, if he were a Catholic monastic, could have written Chapter 2, Attitudes Toward God.
"[O]ur spiritual journey may be blocked if we carry negative attitudes toward God from early childhood." Page 22.
"Human nature prefers to offer substitute sacrifices to placate God rather than to offer the sacrifice that God clearly states in Scripture is the only acceptable one, which is the gift of ourselves....This is the attitude of Typhonic conciousness, the level of conciousness proper to primative peoples and to children from ages two to four." Page 25.
The book is convicting - why wouldn't I devote 20 minutes twice a day to sitting quietly, non-judgmentally, in a state of consent to the presence of God, whatever that does or does not turn out to be? Could it be that the world, as in "not of this world", is more important to me than the possibilty that something more is in and around me? (less)
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Ci
Mar 02, 2014Ci rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Shelves: re-read-books, how-to-books
This slim book is a how-to book for Centering Prayer, the most elementary practice in the Benedictine tradition. This practice is diametrically different from common ecclesiastic prayers in conventional church setting. It is not public, nor audible, nor forceful. The best way to describe it is "to rest in God". No forced thinkings nor unnatural feelings.
The first chapter outlines the recent movement from "self outside of God", toward "God in the self". The latter resonates Eastern religions' center theme while negates the conventional transcending, outside, fearful, requiring pleading and negotiating divine presence.
The process has some similarity to Mindfulness Meditation method, with the additional centering on holding a sacred word, although not a mantra-like active articulation. My current understanding is that Centering Prayer needs to be practiced for one or two years before understanding (or just to see) its effect. To hear God, the author asks us first to trust the process of resting in quiet solitude. By orienting one's state of mind toward the divine, then the process would unfold itself. I understand the first stage of its effect in "rest moves toward peace." And peace will bring more tumultuous "unloading" of unhealthy thoughts from deep psyche, which makes the praying process a crucible for spiritual purity.
The author comments on the pure spiritual growth instead of the "spiritual junk food" (page 72). Since the author did not elaborate much, I wonder if it is a refutation of the more conventional evangelic mainstream in modern America.
I could not make much more than the first stage of understanding, even though the contents are plainly written. I plan to revisit this book in a year's time.
-- Notes on March 27.
(less)
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Contemplative Outreach Hawaii
Jul 02, 2016Contemplative Outreach Hawaii rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: cohi-books
Suggested for those establishing a practice of Centering Prayer. It is considered one of the three foundational books by Fr. Thomas Keating along with Open Mind, Open Heart and Invitation to Love. Intimacy with God goes deeper into the practice including popular discussions and diagrams on: the dynamics of Centering Prayer, the river as a metaphor for human consciousness, the "target" diagram illustrating levels of awareness, etc.; the circular illustration of the four moments of Centering Prayer; the analogy of the tell and the archeological dig in uncovering our wounds of a lifetime; and the spiral staircase depicting various spiritual levels.
The book also covers supportive practices like Lectio Diviina and praying the rosary. As well as Centering Prayer in the World. (less)
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Kris
Sep 11, 2014Kris rated it it was ok
Shelves: religion-christianity
A rather dull and dry book, considering the powerful topic.
Written from a distinctly Catholic perspective, Keating somehow incorporates influences from Eastern religions into Christianity while throwing in some technical language to hopefully help readers pray better to God. There are plenty of vague phrases to go around. Exactly what is "divine union" and how is it "discovered"...? What is Keating referring to when he says we can get "closer to our true self"...? Who knows?
Pulling this book randomly off the library shelf was no luck. I sped-read the last 70+ pages. (less)
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Mary
Jan 19, 2013Mary rated it liked it
if you are looking for a book that gives basic instructions to contemplative prayer then this book isn't for you. This book gives history, reasons, beliefs, and facts. It was interesting read and I found it fascinating but wasn't what I was looking for.
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Andrew
Mar 06, 2013Andrew rated it it was amazing
The definitive book on lectio divina and centering prayer as spiritual practice. The book also offers an excellent historical perspective on the mystical tradition in Christianity, and on how it became un-mystical or "Western" in Keating's terms, in the 18th century and following.
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Rich Lewis
Nov 04, 2017Rich Lewis rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
“This book describes the unfolding experience of contemplative life that grows as the false self and the accompanying sense of separation from God recedes.”
I have been a practitioner of centering prayer for just over 3 years. Let me share some key insights that I gained as I read this wonderful book.
Trust
“The Christian spiritual path is based on a deepening trust in God. It is trust that first allows us to take the initial leap in the dark, to encounter God at the deeper levels of ourselves. And it is trust that guides the intimate refashioning of our being, the transformation of our pain, woundedness, and unconscious motivation into the person that God intended us to be.”
Each time I sit in silence I trust God. Laurence Freeman reminds us that meditation is an act of faith. During this time, I trust that God will transform me slowly and at His, not my pace, into the person He intended me to be. This can certainly be scary and frustrating because I constantly bring my ideas and preconceived notions to the silent prayer table.
I must let go of who I think I am, what I think I want to be so I can open to the Divine. Each time I sit in silence with God I practice my faith muscle. As I trust God during the silence of centering prayer I better learn how to trust God during my non silent times of the day.
The Body
“The body is storehouse of emotional energy that is not adequately processed.”
A long term silent prayer practice heals my body. Silent prayer is a safe place where I can and should feel comfortable to allow the release of the often unconscious emotional energies that are stored in my body as clenched teeth, tight chest, heavy shoulders, upset stomach to name a few. God loves me and only wishes to heal me to my innermost core.
Pain: A Sacred Symbol
“Then we just sit with it, and the pain itself becomes our sacred symbol.”
This is an excellent suggestion. My sacred word is an internal image of a Jesus icon. There are times when my mind especially races during centering prayer. My mind is preoccupied with worry and anxiety. Rather than use my Jesus icon at this time, I can use the worry or anxiety as my sacred symbol over and over again until the closing bell has rung.
Wear Away the False Self
“By returning to the sacred word again and again, we gradually are wearing away the layers of false self until they are emptied out.”
“The fullness of divine life of course is not permanently established until we come to the bottom of the pile of our emotional junk. The undigested emotional material of a lifetime has to be processed by the Divine Therapist before we can as access the fullness of liberation from the false self.”
This beautiful act of ever so gently returning to the sacred word wears away the false self layers! It is a daily act when I release the false self chains and become the person God wants me to be. I can also return to my sacred word even during my non silent times of the day and remain focused on who God wants me to be.
Sacred Reading
“In our day, we are almost completely desensitized to sacred reading because we are so used to newspapers, magazines, and speed reading.”
Sometimes it is nice to read a book slowly and chew on it. That is why I like lectio divina. Sacred reading is a different type of reading. I read with the eyes of the heart. What glimmers and shimmers as I read the pages? What is the Divine trying to reveal to me? I encourage others to try it too.
Whole Being
“It is the opening of mind and heart – our whole being – to God beyond thoughts, words, and emotions.”
When we sit in silence with the Divine we bring our whole being to God: body, mind and heart. I relax my body yet remain alert. I let go of thoughts and emotions that are on my mind. I open my heart to God. This is important! We must open our whole being to God: body, mind and heart.
Mystery
“….so that when we sit down in our chair or on the floor, we are relating to the mystery of Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection, not as something outside of us but as something inside of us.”
I will admit that I struggle with this one. If God is in me, as I sit in silence I relate to the mystery of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection as something inside of me. It makes sense and I trust that God will continue to reveal more of this mystery to me.
What suffering am I in the midst of? What must I die to in order to better experience the presence of God? What new life have I seen resurrected in my daily routines and activities?
Next Steps
“The primary teaching of Centering Prayer is basically very simple and can be expressed in two words: “Do it!” It will then do you. But it requires doing it every day.”
“No one understands contemplative prayer without some experience of it.”
“When we are sitting in Centering Prayer, we may seem to be doing nothing, but we are doing perhaps the most important of all functions, which is to become who we are, the unique manifestation of the Word of God that the Spirit designed us to be.”
The next steps are simple yet very important. Keep at it! A twice per day, centering prayer practice will transform you. You will become the person God intends you to be!
I will go back and re-read this enlightening book.
Rich Lewis
www.SilenceTeaches.com (less)
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