Reflections on the Unknowable

Its when we don't know, or feel cut off, or even abandoned by God ...we have the power to continue the search in the darkness.We have ideas of God, we have heard different options of Who He is... but still the Mystery of God is the Great Unknowable.Words are just expressions to what our minds try to describe. Words come from thoughts, thoughts come from the energy withinour mind. But our mind has been imprinted with the desire for eternity. We live in time, but there is no time in eternity. The desire to know is a indelible imprint on our mind and reaches beyond time to the Great Unknowable. Its the desire to search for love and peace and happiness that is the gift given to us and the power to continue the search. God is calling us to come to Him, He sent His only Son Jesus to show us the way and even the feeling of being abandoned is itself a call to come home. Our real home is eternity.Its in silence we learn the language to speak and listen. This book points out the path of reflections of the Unknowable.

This little book is Thomas' "Summa Contemplationis". No review could do it justice. It should be a bedside read for all of every religious affiliation and even by those who detest religion. In the modern world, religious differences have spawned wars which threaten to engulf the entire planet. Mankind must be raised up everywhere to realize what Fr. Thomas Keating writes (p. 58): "Religion needs to make sure that it is leading and teaching people to go in this direction (i.e., towards contemplative prayer). Otherwise, it's not really meeting its purpose and getting too involved in externals, rituals and structures. They are important, but only up to a point; they are not ends in themselves. God can work independently of religion. He has many ways of bringing people to himself. Some people have been so damaged by religious misinformation or malformation that they can no longer go by that path." If you wish to understand prayer, don't read this book. If you wish to pray, read this beautiful work of one great man's

This great work is essentially in two major parts. The first part is an extensive interview about the nature of God, prayer and the relationship of God with man. Keating demonstrates a truly broad, inclusive but consistent view of the nature of God that eschews the ideas of punishment and damnation and emphasizes the ubiquitous and omnipresent nature of God. Centering prayer is always a sub theme of the book.The second part are a series of Keating homilies that deal with different topics in religiosity and offers extensive teachings about the loving, comforting being of God.This is not a centering prayer "cookbook" but is reflective and emphasizes the contemplative and meditative aspect of prayer. This is an excellent read for those who seek understanding and comfort in God's presence and wisdom. It transcends the robotic, repetitive aspects of hypnotic prayer and encourages simplistic and direct communication with God.

Among all by Catholics I've read so far, this is the best book and mind I ran across. In this 21st century, Thomas Keating, his words and knowledge of contemporary science are the first I ever experienced as an "adequate approach" to relate God(if it must be named) to this world, the people including the Catholics of today.

This is a book about contemplation. The language is allusive. But it is the language of love and acceptance, and a challenge to full surrender to God in order to be transformed into . . . . God.

I cannot put into words the immense emotional feeling that I closed the book with. I have tried and tried to improve my life. Fr Keating in his humble explanations has given me the hope and the reason to let God do with me what I am sure is my reason for being in this world. To love and be loved by Him.

Not a bad introduction to Father Keating's work.

This teaching is a great love, not only by Thomas Keating, as he himself would tell you, but by God Himself THROUGH Thomas Keating.

A beautifully posited series of expositions of what it is to live the way of the mystic and contemplative. He does not shy away from the difficulties and paradoxes, but lays out a way of being that is available for anyone who has the desire and the heart. A clarion call to all of mankind.

genius

Reading for Soul

He never fails. Great wisdom. Tks

Very good book.