Charles’ spiritual life takes a turn in 1987 as his meditation practice evolves once again to include contemplative prayer as taught by Thomas Keating. In the following correspondence, Charles seeks to explore the differences between John Main’s and Thomas Keating’s form of meditation practice.
One of Thomas Keating’s book that Charles would recommend was “Open Heart Open Mind”. It is a guide to the practice of centering prayer, a form of contemplative prayer that involves stilling the mind and opening oneself to God’s presence. The book emphasizes the importance of cultivating a deep relationship with God through contemplative practice, and offers practical advice and guidance for those seeking to deepen their own spiritual journey. Key themes in the book include:
- The importance of silence: Keating emphasizes the importance of silence as a means of quieting the mind and opening oneself to the presence of God. He describes centering prayer as a form of silent prayer that helps us to cultivate a deeper awareness of God’s presence in our lives.
- The role of the heart in contemplative practice: Keating stresses the importance of cultivating a loving and compassionate heart as a central aspect of contemplative practice. He suggests that by opening our hearts to God and to others, we can deepen our relationship with the divine.
- The need for ongoing transformation: Keating emphasizes that contemplative practice is an ongoing process of transformation, requiring ongoing commitment, discipline, and growth. He suggests that by opening ourselves to the transformative power of God’s grace, we can become more fully ourselves and more fully connected to the divine.
- The centrality of faith and trust: Keating emphasizes the importance of faith and trust in the contemplative journey, suggesting that by placing our trust in God, we can cultivate a deeper sense of peace and surrender.