Spring/Summer 2001 Newsletter

Book Reviews

New Books By Father Thomas
Barbara Wuest 

    Over the Christmas break, I had the opportunity to read Fruits and Gifts of the Spirit and The Better Part, two new books by Fr. Keating. And I highly recommend both of them. Whether you've been centering for several years or have just begun this practice, I think you will find them helpful and inspiring. I have read every book that he has written, some of them two or three times. But in these two, I found that the same material is written differently. Deep and profound insights are presented in a beautifully simple way. How can he describe such complex inner workings of the soul in such clear sentences? These books speak to the heart more directly than the earlier ones. There is a more lyrical quality to the writing. In fact, in Fruits and Gifts of the Spirit, Fr. Keating includes two poems. Here is one stanza from his poem called "The Night of Self".

"When all anxious seeking stops
Unity begins. 
But every time I act
Even if to pray
Unity dissolves."

This amazing stanza - which could only be written by someone who "walks the talk"-comes in at the end of the book. The chapters that precede it are full of what I would call lyrical substance. The section on "The Gift Counsel" was especially helpful to this reader. And in The Better Part, the chapter on "The Eucharist" is worth reading over and over. Keating writes: "Contemplative prayer…reduces the obstacles to the transforming energy of the Eucharist so that we can manifest in our attitudes and behavior the living Christ within us…A contemplative practice is not dissociated or separate from the dynamic movement of Lectio and the sacraments. If we do not have a discipline to reduce the obstacles in us to experiencing the presence of God, the full power of the sacraments is diluted and they do not achieve their full potential to transform us. That is why some people can receive Communion every day for years and remain unchanged. They do not make a serious effort to face the obstacles in themselves" (56). This is only a small sampling of the insightful stanzas and sentences you will find in these latest books. I'd suggest you take a look.

From the Center Poetic Prayers and Meditations 
By Robert J. Hope
 Forward by William A. Meninger 

From the biblical Psalms, through the writings of Augustine and Bernard, to the verses of John of the Cross, Gerard Manley Hopkins, and Thomas Merton, the language of prayer has also been the language of poetry. Writing out of this tradition, Robert J. Hope presents the reader with intense verse reflections on the universal presence of God in ourselves and in all of nature. The imagery is richly erotic, reverently evocative of the beauty of floral and faunal creation, and transparently candid in its expression of the awe experienced by mystics, lovers, and children.

"With this beautiful book, meditation according to The Cloud of Unknowing and its contemporary counterpart, Centering Prayer, has come of age. There are thousands of people who will welcome From the Center with appreciation and understanding. Let this book speak to your heart as it does to mine." -William A. Meninger

"These poetic meditations are graced gifts of the author's daily discipline of Centering Prayer. Reflecting present-moment insights, the joys, challenges, struggles, and aspirations of the spiritual life are revealed in refreshing and provocative ways. From the Center invites the reader to deeper prayer with the Beloved of all hearts." -Nan C. Merrill

95% percent of the royalties will support Contemplative Outreach. Robert J. Hope is a Commissioned Presenter of Centering Prayer and a New England Coordinator for Contemplative Outreach.

Read about it in the Bookstore.

Other Spring/Summer 2001 News Articles

Fr. Keating's Commentary | President's Letter  |  Spanish Corner  |  A Poem  |  Book Reviews  |  Updates