Welcome to a collection of profound insights and wisdom from Thomas Keating, a revered figure in the realm of spiritual contemplation and interfaith dialogue. Thomas Keating, a Trappist monk and priest, was a pioneer in bringing ancient contemplative practices to modern seekers, helping them navigate the depths of their spiritual journey with clarity and grace.
Throughout his life, Thomas Keating delved deeply into the Christian mystical tradition, drawing inspiration from the teachings of saints and mystics such as John of the Cross and Teresa of Ávila. He emphasized the importance of silence and stillness as pathways to encountering the divine presence within. His teachings on centering prayer, a method of silent prayer rooted in ancient Christian tradition, have touched the lives of countless individuals seeking a deeper connection with God.
As you explore the quotes below, allow yourself to absorb the profound insights and timeless truths encapsulated in Thomas Keating’s words. Whether you choose to reflect on them quietly, share them with others, or incorporate them into your own spiritual practice, may they serve as guiding lights on your journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth.
In centering prayer, the sacred word is not the object of the attention but rather the expression of the intention of the will. Thomas Keating
If you accept the belief that baptism incorporates us in the mystical body of Christ, into the divine DNA, then you might say that the Holy Spirit is present in each of us, and thus we have the capacity for the fullness of redemption, of transformation. Thomas Keating
Psychotherapy is what God has been secretly doing for centuries by other names; that is, he searches through our personal history and heals what needs to be healed – the wounds of childhood or our own self-inflicted wounds. Thomas Keating
While doing centering prayer, the practice is to let go of any thought or perception. The priority is to be as silent as possible and when that is not possible to let the noise of the thoughts be the sacred symbol for a while, without analyzing them. Thomas Keating
Lent is a time to renew wherever we are in that process that I call the divine therapy. It’s a time to look what our instinctual needs are, look at what the dynamics of our unconscious are. Thomas Keating
One of the values of centering prayer is that you are not thinking about God during the time of centering prayer so you are giving God a chance to manifest. In centering prayer there are moments of peace that give the psyche a chance to realize that God may not be so bad after all. God has a chance to be himself for a change. Thomas Keating
Redemption basically is about holistic health, if you want to translate it into modern parlance. What I suggest – based on the Christian tradition but not often preached – is that you can’t enter into the fullness of the Pascal mystery of the redemption unless there is a radical transformation of motivation within you. Thomas Keating
