Open Mind, Open Heart : The Contemplative Dimension of the Gospel

by Keating, Thomas

• ISBN13: 9780826414205
• ISBN10: 0826414206
• Edition: 20th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-07-01
• Publisher: Continuum Intl Pub Group

Summary

A beautiful new gift edition of this classic work of spirituality, complete with ribbon marker.This book is designed to initiate the reader into a deep, living relationship with God. Written by an acknowledged spiritual master, the book moves beyond "discursive meditation and particular acts to the intuitive level of contemplation." Keating gives an overview of the history of contemplative prayer in the Christian tradition, and step-by-step guidance in the method of centering prayer. Special attention is paid to the role of the Sacred Word, Christian growth and transformation, and active prayer. The book ends with an explicit treatment of the contemplative dimension of the gospel.

Author Biography

Thomas Keating is a Cistercian priest, monk, and abbot. He presently resides at St. Benedict's Monastery in Snowmass, Colorado. Father Keating is a founder of the Centering Prayer Movement and of Contemplative Outreach. This book is the first in a trilogy, and is followed by The Mystery of Christ and Invitation to Love.

Table of Contents

Prayer to the Holy Spirit	1	(2)
Introduction	3	(2)
What Contemplation Is Not	5	(8)
Dimensions of Contemplative Prayer	13	(6)
The History of Contemplative Prayer in the Christian Tradition	19	(14)
First steps in Centering Prayer	33	(10)
The Sacred Word as Symbol	43	(10)
The Ordinary Kinds of Thoughts	53	(18)
The Birth of Spiritual Attentiveness	71	(10)
The More Subtle Kinds of Thoughts	81	(12)
The Unloading of the Unconscious	93	(16)
Summary of the Centering Prayer Method	109	(8)
The Intensive Centering Prayer Experience	117	(6)
Methods of Extending the Effects of Contemplative Prayer into Daily Life	123	(4)
Guidelines for Christian Life Growth and Transformation	127	(18)
Appendices
The Active Prayer	133	(2)
The Weekly Support Group	135	(1)
A Medication	136	(2)
The Essentials	138	(5)
A Brief History	143	(2)
Glossary	145