The Psychological Experience of Centering Prayer - Part 1, with Thomas Keating

[@TownsendHamilton]

Thomas keating started me on my path of centering prayer. I was converted in January of 2019 . Experienced an immense love of God but started being spiritually puffed up and filled with theology and head knowledge . Prayer was always in a way in my false self that still existed. By the grace of God I center for the rest of my life and experience more and more of the actuality of Gods character through direct encounter . God bless you all . And grace and peace always .

[@DeniseLamb-r3d]

Keating changed my life … Thus, all 6 of my children’s lives‼️‼️‼️ A MOTHERS MUST!!!

[@Gondalica]

2:30 "You can call this our own personal big bang" Literally- was just founded that there's a flash of LIGHT at the moment of conception. Wow

[@MourningMystic]

I've never heard the mystical experience described this way. very intuitive. The world needs more spiritual teachers like this..

[@GnosisMan50]

As Alice miller said, *_"The truth about our childhood is stored up in our bodies and lives in the depths of our souls. Our intellect can be deceived, our feelings can be numbed and manipulated, our perceptions shamed and confused, our bodies tricked with medication, but our soul never forgets. And because we are one, one whole soul in one body, someday our body will present its bill. The wounded and lost child is only in hiding; the soul is still whole in spirit. Ultimately, our deepest self will accept no compromise or excuses, and will not stop tormenting or contaminating us until we stop evading the truth"_* From her book: "Thou shall not be aware: Society's betrayal of the child"

[@skippy7208]

Thanks for sharing 🙏 I have bought the book 👍

[@melliecrann-gaoth4789]

You keep many of us afloat xx

[@carolcollins3108]

Great teaching from our dear Fr. Loved this some 20 years ago when he visited my country and taught Centering Prayer.

[@twac750]

Where are you located?

[@joejackson6453]

Thank you 🙏🏽

[@maryannlantigua4068]

Fr Keating, thank you for your love and for all these teachings!

[@rubymeagher1005]

Missing Fr. Thomas😢

[@beautifullromania4611]

If this would be mandatory in school less suffering, crime and disease wold be in our world. Thank you for sharing father Keaton on KZbin.

[@antonylangstone-pw3jp]

Better than prayer is contemplative worship for our Creator's ecstatic heart-fire.....

[@jenniferkennedy2214]

How about doing both?

[@Magik1369]

This is a powerful and profound teaching and method that empowers real psycho spiritual growth and progress. This is the Truth. Fr. Keating is spot on. When you hit the Core, you'll be amazed and just like Jesus promised, you will find the Kingdom within you...the flame of the Divine burning deep inside your heart as your True Self. Then the transcendent Bliss of Spirit fills the Soul with a pleasure and peace so delightful and Divine. The Bliss flows out of your own Center like a Fountain. it is the delicious taste of Spirit. This is worth more than all the riches of this world. This is the real deal. G-d Bless Fr. Keating.

[@HansLiu23]

So how did you get there? Did you follow Keating's teachings?

[@bsimpson639]

Astoundingly refreshing, to experience such a poignant integration. Blessings.

[@AnneGorman]

So good.

[@BobBKooenabio]

Wonderful talk, I belong to a Monastic community in Rhode Island. Centering Prayer is the is the only way to go. Veronica OCDS.

[@zareencave3349]

Thanks so much. This is very thought-provoking & helpful.

[@TheSoteriologist]

These lectures are superb.

[@theresahunter8291]

I wish I knew this sooner 🥰 ty

[@maranne9957]

Unloading is the practical application of Matthew 7: 5 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? Thankyou Father Keating for your insights.

[@Smellb-read]

Very good my friend 👋🏽😊

[@branandubh]

So well articulated. Im soaking up the teachings and diving into the practice.

[@karenkazjefreys2913]

Thanx, profoundly insightful

[@hettyandmaggiespinone4893]

Wise man

[@harryschultz6951]

OMG when he said the stuff is evacuated and leaving a space which the Holy Spirit then fills he’s talkings about this: “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.” - Matthew 12:43-45

[@MagnumOpusYT]

Catholicism isn't the original Christianity Harry. These are from gnostic teachings

[@CarnivorousCowMan]

@@MagnumOpusYT regardless of whether what you’re saying or not is true, which is debatable - the fact still applies that what Harry has said is accurate. There is overlap between what Father Keating said and the scripture that Harry has provided.

[@DeniseLamb-r3d]

Having been apart of Exorcisms… I know that unclean spirits will not be unloaded through Centering Prayer… The Centering Prayer may bring up some darkness… However, evil spirits/possession have a foothold on Spirit.. Need to consult Catholic Church.. SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES!! SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS SERIOUS… SPEAK TO S PRIEST ABOUT YOUR OBSERVATION… Keating never correlates Contemplative Prayer & evacuation of Evil Spirits!! BE CAREFUL!!

[@harryschultz6951]

Yes we need to be governed by good kings

[@catherineoglesby2588]

Cynthia bourgeault

[@Robb3348]

@@QED_ why do you say that? "QED" comes after a sequence of logic and/or evidence, but you are employing the infamous and invalid "argument by (mere) assertion." I'm open to hearing more if you have more, though.

[@tracystebbins2179]

What is the name of the beautiful piece of music in the intro please?

[@prayerofconsent]

"Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" by Johann Sebastian Bach.

[@tracystebbins2179]

@@prayerofconsent thank you so much!

[@소현할머니]

한글 자막 부탁합니다

[@billducker7404]

Excuse me but what does this have to do with Christianity it sounds like eastern mysticism/yoga and agitation Which is a cultic I was in too many years ago. I saw that prayer was talking to God. Where is this in the holy Bible? - Bill - UK

[@Lovelifespirit]

It is Biblical. See a few examples in the next session. From Psalms to Jesus to St. Paul.

[@melliecrann-gaoth4789]

@@Lovelifespiritlike when Jesus went into the Desert to pray.

[@kvnboudreaux]

This is a blend of modern psychotherapy, transcendental meditation, and Christian mysticism. See my other comment.

[@kvnboudreaux]

I don’t like the reduction of the gospel to a individually focused psychotherapy, the gospel is about self sacrificing service to to others in charity and truth, not the gospel cannot be reduced to a personal process of self-actualizTion. While I recognize the benefits of centering prayer, let it be stated that that the path of perfection or spiritual growth in the Christian mystical tradition is first alleviation of mortal sin through self denial, then growth in virtue, and then union with God. Again, the gospel IS not primarily a path of personal growth and self actualization. To claim this is to claim that grace is some kind of healing magic that fixes your psychological hang ups and that the goal of Christianity is to individually grow to a point of self-actualization where you have no hang ups. This is a false process, a delusion, a schizophrenic may be capable of greater charity than any self-actualized person. I like the practice of centering prayer but it is clear that fr keating misses the mark in claiming that the gospel is a program or personal psychological perfection. This is much like the Marxist in Latin America who claimed the gospel was about social liberation and utopia. I love fr casey who asserts that the goal isn’t self-actualization but self-transcendence, in others words the goal is to deny yourself so that you can be of service to others. He aptly points out that ma may many saints died with their quirks and hang ups intact, and that one can achieve. Sainthood not because of a lack of hang ups but because of a lack of self importance and service to others.

[@Optim40]

First of all you're wrong for aiming to critique anything. Second, I think a monk is going to know a little bit more than you in these matters. Thirdly, have some respect show that you have manners instead and appreciate the intention more than anything else like a mature adult would.

[@kvnboudreaux]

@@Optim40 I offered my appreciation and gratitude for centering prayer, which is an excellent and ancient way to pray firmly rooted in our tradition. I am happy that fr Keating has promoted it however I prefer william Menninger who makes every effort to keep centering prayer within the context of our own Christian mystical tradition. Can God heal our psychological wounds, yes he does and John of the Cross even says that God will do this in the silence of contemplative prayer so fr keating is definitely on to something.