The Heart of the World: An Introduction to Contemplative Christianity

by Thomas Keating

The transcendent experience that many Christians seek in Eastern religions is abundantly available to those who make use of the suggestions in this introduction to contemplative Christianity. The Christian heritage contains a rich contemplative wisdom, literature, and practice, and this volume is written for those who would like to find enrichment in spiritual practices grounded in non-Christian religions while retaining basic Christian commitments. Traditional Christian subjects such as sacrifice, redemption, salvation, faith, and prayer are discussed to foster understanding of their contemplative aspects. Explanations on how practices such as Lectio Divina clear the mind of the hectic nature of everyday life and help prepare the heart for profound listening to the divine within are also included.

Genres: Religion, Spirituality, Faith

98 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Keating entered the Cistercian Order in Valley Falls, Rhode Island in January, 1944. He was appointed Superior of St. Benedict's Monastery, Snowmass, Colorado in 1958, and was elected abbot of St. Joseph's Abbey, Spencer, Massachusetts in 1961. He returned to Snowmass after retiring as abbot of Spencer in 1981, where he established a program of ten-day intensive retreats in the practice of Centering Prayer, a contemporary form of the Christian contemplative tradition.

He is one of three architects of Centering Prayer, a contemporary method of contemplative prayer, that emerged from St. Joseph's Abbey in 1975. Frs. William Menninger and Basil Pennington, also Cistercian monks, were the other architects.
n 1984, Fr. Thomas Keating along with Gustave Reininger and Edward Bednar, co-founded Contemplative Outreach, Ltd., an international, ecumenical spiritual network that teaches the practice of Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina, a method of prayer drawn from the Christian contemplative tradition. Contemplative Outreach provides a support system for those on the contemplative path through a wide variety of resources, workshops, and retreats.
Fr. Keating currently lives at St. Benedict's Monastery in Snowmass, Colorado.

Reviews

[Marlena Borowiec · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book is an easy read about a profound subject, Christian Contemplative Prayer. Fr. Keating managed to touch upon this subject from all of the most important perspectives. It is a book that can be read by anyone who is interested in prayer, meditation, and Christianity. I read it in one sitting at the airport and came to it as a Catholic who regularly practices Centering Prayer. His writing is clear and accessible.

[Priscilla Lotfy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thomas Keating is my most important spiritual guide. I have many of his books but had not read this particular one. As with many of his books there is some overlap to emphasize concepts but this book answers some of the questions that I have struggled with over the years. It is a game changer for me.

[Laura Wiebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book for a quick introduction of many different aspects of contemplative christianity

[AJ Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent look at the foundational ideas behind Christian contemplative practice. A little less practical than I was looking for, but still worth the read.

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

I this book Keating gets into Centering Prayer which is really an old form of Christian Prayer. He challenges the Eastern forms of meditation to look within the Christian Church for similar prayer. The biggest challenge he offers is the ability of "experiencing" God first hand through this prayer. According to Keating Christianity is meant to experience God not just learn or him and send him mail. This is the way to talk to God face to face and expereince who God is. Like some of his other works you see bits and pieces of this in his writting but this is not a how to book. He simply tells you it is there and heads you in the direction but you have to pray in the centering prayer to actually understand this book and experience God. It is good read but again his is not "Prayer for Dummies."