Open Mind, Open Heart

Thomas Keating's Open Mind, Open Heart emerged from his decades of experience as a Trappist monk and his leadership in the contemplative prayer renewal movement that began in American Catholic monasteries during the 1970s. Writing as abbot of St. Benedict's Monastery in Colorado, Keating sought to make the ancient Christian contemplative tradition accessible to contemporary seekers who were often turning to Eastern meditation practices. The book represents his systematic attempt to present Centering Prayer, a method he helped develop alongside fellow monks Basil Pennington and William Meninger, as a recovery of Christianity's own deep contemplative heritage.

Keating grounds Centering Prayer in the mystical theology of the early church fathers and medieval contemplatives, particularly John Cassian and the author of The Cloud of Unknowing. He presents contemplative prayer not as an advanced technique for spiritual elites, but as a fundamental dimension of Christian faith available to all believers. The method involves choosing a sacred word, sitting in silence, and gently returning to that word whenever thoughts arise, creating space for what Keating calls "the prayer of the heart." Beyond technique, however, Keating articulates a theology of divine intimacy, describing contemplative prayer as a movement beyond concepts and images toward direct experience of God's presence. He addresses common obstacles and misconceptions, distinguishing contemplative prayer from both discursive meditation and Eastern practices while showing how it complements rather than replaces other forms of Christian prayer.

The book became foundational for the widespread Centering Prayer movement and helped establish contemplative practice as a legitimate dimension of mainstream Christian spirituality. Keating's clear, systematic approach made contemplative prayer accessible to laypeople, priests, and religious communities across denominational lines. Who should read this: Christians seeking to deepen their prayer life beyond petition and meditation will find practical guidance rooted in theological depth, though those uncomfortable with apophatic spirituality or preferring highly structured devotional practices may find Keating's approach too open-ended.