Better Part
Thomas Keating's "The Better Part" emerges from his decades of experience guiding retreatants at St. Benedict's Monastery in Snowmass, Colorado, where he developed and refined the practice of Centering Prayer. Written as both introduction and deepening guide, the book addresses those seeking to move beyond discursive meditation into the contemplative dimension of Christian prayer. Keating draws on his background as a Trappist monk and his study of the Christian contemplative tradition to offer practical wisdom for contemporary seekers.
The work unfolds Keating's understanding of contemplative prayer as a movement from activity to receptivity, from doing to being in God's presence. He traces the journey from initial spiritual awakening through the dark nights of sense and spirit described by John of the Cross, showing how apparent obstacles become gateways to deeper union with God. Keating emphasizes the importance of letting go of particular thoughts and feelings during prayer, not through rejection but through gentle release into God's presence. The book presents Centering Prayer not as technique but as consent to God's action within, requiring surrender of the false self and its programs for happiness rooted in security, affection, and control.
This work has become a foundational text for the contemporary Centering Prayer movement, offering accessible entry into what Keating calls the "prayer of the heart." It bridges ancient contemplative wisdom with modern psychological insights, making contemplative practice approachable for laypeople while maintaining theological depth. The book's influence extends through retreat centers, parishes, and contemplative prayer groups worldwide.
Who should read this: Those drawn to contemplative prayer and willing to embrace unknowing as a pathway to God will find essential guidance here. This book is not for readers seeking primarily intellectual understanding of prayer or those uncomfortable with apophatic spirituality that emphasizes divine mystery beyond concepts.