Contemplative Prayer

Traditional Christian Meditations for Opening to Divine Union

By: Thomas Keating

Narrated by: Thomas Keating

Length: 3 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

"The Cloud of Unknowing" is one of Christianity's enduring mysteries, a meditative state where God is experienced on the deepest interior level. To move beyond thoughts and feelings and into the arms of the divine spirit, we have been given the gift of contemplative prayer.

In Contemplative Prayer, Father Thomas Keating introduces you to this method for inviting the grace of God into your life, to discover the treasure of holiness always present in ordinary events. Join Father Keating as he teaches a complete workshop on this system of Christian meditation, as it has been practiced in the cloisters and monasteries of Europe since medieval times. Contemplative prayer, like a freshening wind, is an uplifting event that can help take you to the starting point of the true spiritual journey.

©1995 Father Thomas Keating

Easy to grasp, Fr. Keating is wonderful

Would you consider the audio edition of Contemplative Prayer to be better than the print version?

I like the audio version because you get the expression and deliberation of the words. Much more expressive

Practical application.

Where does Contemplative Prayer rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This was the first book I ever listened to on this particular subject. In my personal spiritual journey, this was one of the missing links. No more.

What did you like best about this story?

This book is particularly based upon Biblical premise but any can be beneficial to anyone who has some interest in hearing God.

What does Thomas Keating bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Listening to the audio book was like he was personally speaking to me. His humour is subtle and effective.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

Loved this book. Even though the book is delivered in a catholic setting but any Christ follower will benefit from it. Silence is a discipline in any religion but Father Keating completely explained the logical reason why we should practice this discipline and how to do it. I am in 2nd day of such practice , all I can say is that has noticeably benefitted me.

Excellent overview

Great introduction to Contemplative Prayer. I highly recommend this book. Thomas Keating walks the walk.

A game changer for my life.

Have been searching for a peace for all my life and had given up on whether my life would ever find it. This book as given me a path to finding this path to that "peace that passes all understanding." Wonderful read.

The best introduction to centering prayer

I have read about centering prayer and toyed with the idea of doing it for years, but was not committed enough to start a regular practice until I listened to these talks. They contain a wealth of useful and practical advice, the explanations are crystal clear, and Father Keating's voice is extremely pleasant and easy to listen to.

Deep Insights, Background on Contemplative Prayer

Fr. Thomas has spearheaded the modern Contemplative Prayer movement. He has other, very simple and effective methods of Centering Prayer, a contemplative prayer form introduced by Thomas Merton, a fellow Trappist. Fr. Thomas also firmed a worldwide support and promotion group, Contemplative Outreach, that continues his work. As a brilliant mind, Fr. Thomas often delves VERY deeply into the psychology underlying contemplative prayer. Personally, I find the lengthy, complex details interesting but very distracting to the beautiful simplicity of Centering/Contemplative Prayer.

Beautiful

Father Keating's talks are extraordinary. I highly recommend this work during these very troubling times

Makes you understand why you and everyone do what they do!

Very thought provoking. I have listened to this book 3 different times and each time, I learned something new. Basically most all of our habits and our addictions are due to a lack of nurturing from our mothers. We fail when we try to break an addiction because the addiction provides a temporary fix for us and so we tend to repeat and go back to what we consider “nurturing” but again, it is a temporary fix. The author provides the solution and while difficult, it can be achieved with determination and perseverance. Next to a book by Joyce Meyer, this book is at the top of my “self help” books. Very interesting and the author has a pleasing voice!! I enjoyed it immensely and will probably listen again many more times!

awesome practical teaching!

learned so much from this teaching, things that I have always struggled with but didn't really know how it deal with!

Amazing simple open to all

Amazing ...clear....simple...open to all.
Father Keating is the perfect messenger...and I believe sent to show is the way out of "suffering"