Centering Prayer and the Healing of the Unconscious

De: Fr. Murchadh O Madagain

Narrado por: MaryBeth Wise

In this searching study, Fr. Murchadh Fr. Ó Madagáin describes the life and thoughts of Fr. Thomas Keating, the Trappist monk who was one of the founders of the centering prayer movement. Centering prayer aims to reclaim the Christian contemplative and mystical traditions after centuries of neglect and to make it available for modern spiritual seekers.

Fr. Ó Madagáin traces its roots back to the fourth- and fifth-century Desert Fathers such as Evagrius and John Cassian. He shows how it was used in the medieval classic The Cloud of Unknowing and practiced by saints John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila, then revived by Thomas Merton during the twentieth century.

Fr. Ó Madagáin illustrates how, by bringing the insights of contemporary psychology to bear on this ancient method of prayer, Fr. Keating has not only revitalized the contemplative tradition, but also has enabled it to become a powerful tool for people of faith to gain insight into themselves and God, whom Keating calls the "divine healer."

Fr. Ó Madagáin also unpacks the processes at work in centering prayer and clears up some of the common misunderstandings that surround it. Centering Prayer and the Healing of the Unconscious is an essential work for all those interested in the history and practice of centering prayer. In addition to describing the background of this unique and effective practice, Fr. Ó Madagáin offers unique insights into the ideas of one of its leading contemporary teachers and practitioners.

©2007 Murchadh Ó Madagáin (P)2025 Lantern Publishing & Media

A Deeply Transformative Exploration of Prayer

Centering Prayer and the Healing of the Unconscious is a profound and thoughtfully written book that invites readers into a deeper understanding of contemplative prayer and its power to heal the inner life. Rather than offering quick answers or surface-level spirituality, this book gently guides the reader toward stillness, surrender, and trust in the transformative work of grace.

What makes this book especially meaningful is its exploration of the unconscious—how hidden emotional wounds, patterns, and attachments can surface and be healed through sustained contemplative practice. The writing is calm, compassionate, and deeply respectful of both psychological insight and spiritual tradition.

This is not a book to rush through. It’s one to sit with, reflect on, and return to over time. It’s especially valuable for those already familiar with centering prayer, as well as readers seeking a deeper, more mature spiritual practice that integrates faith and inner healing.