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Summary: An Introduction to Contempaltrive Prayer by a True Master
Review: Trappist Monk Fr. Thomas Keating's book OPEN MIND, OPEN HEART is considered by many to be a modern classic on contemplative prayer and an introduction to centering prayer. After attending a workshop on centering prayer and later leading such a workshop, I can attest to the helpfulness of this book and Fr. Keating's important insights. While some are critical of his methods, believing they are heavily influenced by Eastern spiritual practices, this is somewhat misleading. While Keating does use some terminology and references to Eastern techniques, his ideas are based on the tradition of the Cistercians, the Catholic religious order to which be belongs.In the aftermath of Vatican II, many religious orders returned to the texts of their founders and early pioneers so that the orders could be true to their calling. The popularity of contemplative prayer and centering prayer is a result of the Cistercians returning to their founding texts. For Keating, a leader in this effort, this included exploring the writings of St. Benedict, the Desert Fathers and Mothers, Cistercian greats such as Bernard of Clairvaux and Aelred of Rievaulx, and the anonymous author of THE CLOUD OF UNKNOWING. These are hardly radical writers in the history of Christianity. Since these people lived prior to the opening of the east to the west, they could not have been influenced by Eastern spiritual techniques. Certainly as a spiritual master, Keating is familiar with Eastern techniques, but does not use them in a way that is contrary to Christianity. Also, Keating is writing for people, living in the world, and sees this method of prayer as a way of experiencing God for action in the world. It is not intended to make a person draw more inward in a way that is selfish, but rather as a way of being more Christ-like and more self giving. Centering prayer is not for everyone, but it is helpful for many. After reading this book and applying its methods, readers will know whether this technique will be helpful in their own spiritual journeys. For those who may not find this method helpful, certainly Keating's spiritual insights will help the reader draw closer to God in other ways.
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Summary: REDFLAG
Review: True Christians need to pray for the Lord Jesus Christ to give spiritual discernment if you read this book. The METHOD of Centering Prayer is not in the Holy Bible for a good reason - it is not the METHOD true believers were given in the Scriptures to communicate with the only true God. The Centering Prayer METHOD taught by Thomas Keating requires the attainment of an altered state of consciousness wherein one gives consent to what amounts to bypassing (surrendering) the operation of one's rational, conscious mind, thereby enabling one to access the (unprotected) subconscious mind. This action leaves some, if not most, individuals vulnerable to excruciatingly painful memories, lays bare their beliefs so they can be "dismantled", and makes their subconscious mind vulnerable to accepting the ideas, information, "recollections", etc., given to them by a higher level of spiritual beings pretending to be good or even pretending to be God. These are the very spirit beings God intends to protect us from via the conscious mind which is like a gatekeeper. The subconscious mind cannot discriminate between true and false information and/or experiences, etc., and accepts all as being valid. In the Centering Prayer METHOD, one de-comissions the objective, thinking mind so scripture cannot be applied as a filter against evil getting a foothold in one's mind. Praying that God will protect you during Centering Prayer won't work when you deliberately employ a pagan/occult METHOD. There is a very real spirit world available to take advantage of such gullible believers. True believers need to read up on the Transpersonal Psychologies so they can get somewhat of a handle on what's really going on in Centering Prayer. Do not be deceived into thinking you are attaining a higher state of consciousness, ergo, a higher level of spiritual development by using this METHOD.
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Summary: The Bible - written in Stone? Man, created by God
Review: What in the world does the previous review have to do with anything, particularly this wonderful book? Is there really a collection of self-righteous individuals out there who really believe that we don't need to pray???? That all we have to do is read the Bible. The Bible was written to speak to mankind; mankind speaks by prayer to God. Prayer is dialogue, not mindless parrotting.
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Summary: Everything that needs stating in clear, concise terms
Review: Words that pull together and clarify everything else I've read on the subject. Thomas Keating manages to convey the essence of Comtemplation without burying the message in obscure prose. If you've been searching for that perfect starting point, you have found it in Open Mind, Open Heart. My personal thanks to the author!
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