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Product Description
Review
"This is perhaps Keating's most readable and enlightening work. Filled with insight and practical advice, it offers sound wisdom on the way that centering prayer can deepen our intimacy with God." —Spiritual Book News
"Packed into this book is a treasury of spiritual history and teaching. There is a richness of complexity which is always disciplined by the simplicity of the goal of prayer—union (or intimacy) with God." —St. Anthony Messenger
"For all those aspiring to a genuine spiritual life, Father Keating has charted a course that will take us progressively closer to our divine goal as we learn to touch God, first with the words of our lips, then with reflections of the mind and with the feelings of the heart." —Living Prayer
Book Description
A poetic and accessible introduction to the method of Centering Prayer, this guide explains its origins, theological basis, and psychology by drawing on the writings of important Catholic figures, such as St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross, and significant texts, such as The Cloud of Unknowing. Describing the theological basis for the Centering Prayer while staying rooted in the heart of a practice that is very personal and intimate, the study explores how harmful attitudes and beliefs about God can distort a positive relationship with the divine. With a careful balance of both Christian and Buddhist philosophy, the volume also discusses the psychological barriers and levels of resistance that contemplatives must face and bolsters seekers with supportive practices like Lectio Divina (holy reading) and praying the rosary. Updated to include a new foreword, this revised edition of a much loved classic is sure to inspire a deeply intimate experience with God.
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Most helpful customer reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
As Close As Your Own Heart,
By "rune_ilori" (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Intimacy with God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer (Paperback)
I've just finished Intimacy With God, in which Father Keating quotes (very briefly) Carlos Castaneda.I would never in my wildest dreams have imagined a Roman Catholic priest finding worthy anything Castaneda said. I'm impressed. The book is an excellent introduction to the concept of contemplative prayer in the Christian tradition, and its emergence to meet the needs of disaffected Catholics (and later, Protestants) seeking a more meaningful, deeper connection with the divine. Keating explains the practice in clear terms and in the context of Christian doctrine. For someone like myself, it has introduced a way of praying that combines my core beliefs and spiritual roots in Christianity with the meditative aspects that the Eastern religions foster (and to which I am drawn). I also find appealing his use of Centering Prayer as a relationship with God, the "Divine Therapist," which implies the friendship, trust, and intimacy inherent in psychotherapy. The process of contemplative prayer is to consent to God healing us, by resting in Its presence while the Holy Spirit manifests Herself in us. In the state of deep rest, undigested emotional material arises (due to relaxed defenses) from the unconscious and is evacuated, bringing one a step closer to intimacy -- union in love -- with God. Keating remarks that this is a lifelong process and practice. He clarifies the distinction between clinical depression and the periods of "dark nights of the soul" which imply that the transformation is occurring. He also recognizes that while psychology and spirituality overlap, each "has a distinct emphasis and integrity that needs to be respected." Many of Keating's words enlightened me, but this statement is one I want to note, because it presents a simple truth: "All spiritual exercises are designed to reduce the monumental illusion that God is absent. Not so. We just think so. Since the way we think is the way we usually act, we live as if God were absent. Whatever we can do to contribute to the dissolution of that confusion furthers our spiritual journey." For those curious to learn more about Christian prayer, for their own journey or simply to learn more about what Christians believe and live, I highly recommend this book
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
INTIMACY WITH GOD AN INTRODUCTION TO CENTERING PRAYER,
By Walter Mock (Akron, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Intimacy with God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer (Paperback)
INTIMACY WITH GOD by Father Thomas Keating is one of the best books I have ever read about prayer. First and foremost Father Keatings book provided me with a safe haven to feel issues that I have felt since I was an orphan as a young boy. This book gave me affirmation and insight to my feelings about not only who God is but what it means to have a personal relationship with God in a hectic world. As I read this book the little boy in me felt God's loving arms and presence surround me and I felt an inner peace and excitement in what I was reading. As a Protestant Pastor I would strongly recommend this book by Father Keating to anyone who I may meet for a brother in Christ has written a very sensitive, loving book. If one desires to have a more intimate realtionship with God and not the world then read this book. The worse thing that may happen is you may stop and think about your priorities. By the end of the book you may also be thinking about what has been missing in my life that I need? The best thing is you may feel God's loving arms and presence in your life as you read and reflect. Reflect on where is God in my life? Maybe its time to take the step and find out! God be with you.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.1 out of 5 stars (14 customer reviews) 119 of 119 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Explanation and Defense of Centering Prayer Techniques,
By Timothy Kearney - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Intimacy with God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer (Paperback)
It is my guess that people who are looking at this title are already familiar with Trappist priest Thomas Keating and his championing of centering prayer. It is also likely that people who are familiar with Keating may know something about the controversy that surrounds the man and his technique of centering prayer. Perusing some of the criticisms of his book "Open Mind, Open Heart" by some Amazon readers will highlight both the admiration many have of this man, as well as some of the controversy. While some of the objections to centering prayer have merit if centering prayer becomes just another form of meditation, this is not due to Keating's writings as much as a misreading of his works or a misunderstanding of his intentions.In this work, Keating sets out to further explain the technique of centering prayer. While he does use some psychology in this work, it does so not contain the heavy psychological point of view that some of his other writings contain (at least not in the detail), nor does he focus too heavily on non-Christian traditions of meditation. Instead he discusses centering prayer and roots in the Christian tradition. He also offers personal reasons why this technique is so important for him, namely that he saw many people who are Christians traveling to other parts of the world searching for something that is an important part of Catholic monasticism. The book was published in the 1990's, after years of trial and error concerning the centering prayer, as well as his success at leading workshops that introduced many people to those form of prayer, and the book contains many anecdotes he learned along the way. Keating clearly sees the importance of centering prayer as a way of connecting with God, and entering into the presence of God. While he views it as a solitary activity by its nature, he strongly suggests that people who participate in centering prayer be part of a larger faith community, and if possible a centering prayer group. He espouses spiritual direction. The book also espouses what he calls "Divine Therapy" where hurts that are deep within us can be surfaced and healed in a spiritual manner, though he is also careful to state that this is not a replacement of psychological therapy. This book compliments Keating's other writings and can help the reader come to a deeper understanding of centering prayer and the part it can play in a Christian spirituality. 106 of 109 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Keating's statement of the THEORY of centering prayer,
By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Intimacy with God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer (Paperback)
If you are familiar with Fr. Keating's OPEN MIND, OPEN HEART, you know his advice on the PRACTICE of centering prayer. INTIMACY WITH GOD offers a clear statement of his views on the theory behind this form of prayer. The two books together provide an in-depth introduction to centering prayer, a form of Christian meditation that can lead to the kind of prayer called "contemplative prayer" and can transform your life.
63 of 63 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
INTIMACY WITH GOD AN INTRODUCTION TO CENTERING PRAYER,
By Walter Mock - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Intimacy with God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer (Paperback)
INTIMACY WITH GOD by Father Thomas Keating is one of the best books I have ever read about prayer. First and foremost Father Keatings book provided me with a safe haven to feel issues that I have felt since I was an orphan as a young boy. This book gave me affirmation and insight to my feelings about not only who God is but what it means to have a personal relationship with God in a hectic world. As I read this book the little boy in me felt God's loving arms and presence surround me and I felt an inner peace and excitement in what I was reading. As a Protestant Pastor I would strongly recommend this book by Father Keating to anyone who I may meet for a brother in Christ has written a very sensitive, loving book. If one desires to have a more intimate realtionship with God and not the world then read this book. The worse thing that may happen is you may stop and think about your priorities. By the end of the book you may also be thinking about what has been missing in my life that I need? The best thing is you may feel God's loving arms and presence in your life as you read and reflect. Reflect on where is God in my life? Maybe its time to take the step and find out! God be with you.
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