Healing Our Violence Through the Journey of Centering Prayer

By: Richard Rohr O.F.M., Thomas Keating O.C.S.O.

Narrated by: Richard Rohr O.F.M., Thomas Keating O.C.S.O.

Two internationally known spiritual guides explore integrating our inner and outer journeys. They challenge us to confront our inner and social violence and bring it to healing and transformation in a sacred and ecumenical context. Rohr and Keating each give insights on awakening to God's friendship, coming to know God and ourselves, growing in love through centering prayer, facing evil around us and our demons within us as well as opening our deep selves to divine therapy which heals our wounds. They invite us to become who we already are.

These conferences will appeal to those beginning and those more seasoned in centering prayer. The deep wisdom of two spiritual masters is a sacred and transforming gift plunging us into the ocean of divinity that surrounds us.

©2002 Richard Rohr, O.F.M. & Thomas Keating, O.C.S.O. (P)2002 St. Anthony Messenger Press

Excellent material, but….

I’ve come to really appreciate Richard Rohr more and more. This was my first exposure to Keating. I agree with their diagnosis of humanity’s problem and healing prescription. My one problem, and it’s not even a problem is there’s not much on centering prayer

True Spirituality

Fathers Thomas Keating and Richard Rohr deliver deep and powerful talks that lead the listener to the land of the Soul.

No sugar coating our path to transformation.

Healing happens first within you. One cannot go out and be a source of healing to another unless one first looks within. Only then can our true self surface.

Richard Rohr and Thomas Keating help us name our demons. The only problem is as Christians we pretty much believe that we don't have any demons and that fact in itself is demonic.

The next demon is believing that you have conquered them and you are on your way to transformation. But, in reality one goes one step forward and two steps backwards. Okay, you say enough already. This is like dancing a tango and you are right. So what do we do with this dilemma?

Thomas Keating and Richard Rohr give us the understanding that accepting our demons, looking at them and letting them go one at a time. is the path to recovery. Accepting the fact that we don't have it all together, helps us heal faster and go on with our relationships and healing the world, one person at a time beginning with myself.

Does this sound too narcissistic or ego related? Well, it is, at first. You have to discover that part of yourself to move beyond. (The false self)

Your true self is buried deep within and you have the power to dig it out. The Divine within has always been there from the moment of conception but we have spent a lifetime burying that innocence.

Good Stuff

What was one of the most memorable moments of Healing Our Violence Through the Journey of Centering Prayer?

Really enjoyed the concept of demons and the parrallel to the pain body

Have you listened to any of Richard Rohr and Thomas Keating ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

First by Thomas Keating. I have enjoyed the few Richard Rohr recordings that I have

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Its not practical for me to listen to a long book all in one sitting. Also, i think you need to reflect on the content to get the most out of it.

Unmatched in nearly 50 years

Though brief in time, this series of sessions puts a humble yet Divine tone on words all of us need to hear and act upon. What life di we have if we live without aim, without purpose. Having listened once, I will immediately listen once again to assure nothing has escaped my ears, my mind, and my heart.

Christian Spirituality for Adults

Any additional comments?

This is one of the most mature Christian retreats I've ever listened to. It moves well beyond the Christian spirituality of children. It dives directly into the reality of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, revealing our own identity [created] in the image and likeness of God. Thomas Keating and Richard Rohr point out that the Christian journey of spirituality does not lift us out of the suffering and struggle of life, but actually leads us into them, as we follow our Divine crusifed master Jesus. Rather than escaping our humanity, we are called to embrace it fully, as Jesus did. Not the false humanity that our world teaches us, but our true humanity as God's beloved children created in the divine image. Being truly human like Jesus leads us into many redemptive struggles to let go of our false images of our selves and others. Entering the Kingdom of God is a process of waking up to the great reality of all creation originating from Love, is presently being sustained by Love, and substatially One in being with Love, the Triune God and the source of all being.By allowing Jesus to awaken us and guide us into the reality of this divine union, we become our true selves, true human beings. Contempletive prayer is our heart's consent to participate in union with God. When we choose to accept and actively consent to our union with God, our hearts and minds become united with the love of God for all humanity and creation. Consequently, we recognize that loving non-violent direct action that seeks to heal victims and perpetrators equally is participation in the divine life, crusifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus. In short, our healing, happiness, peace and joy are only found through union with Divine Love, the essence of all being.

So rich. I have to listen again.

I've been a student of the contemplative tradition, a member of an online contemplative community for over 20 years. I've read many of Fr. Keating and Fr. Rohr's books. I've retreated with Fr. Thomas. I was pleasantly surprised to hear beautiful new thoughts and deeper explanations from them than I've heard before. They've grown in wisdom, I think, and we are the beneficiaries.

Wonderful and unique

This is the best program I have downloaded on centering prayer and the contemplative path. I have listened to it numerous times.

No Hell

Thomas Keating O. C. S. O. states at the end of Chapter 5 that Hell is a state of consciousness. There are many things from these lectures the listener will benefit from. They are very enlightening.

Works very well with the Holy Spirit

Two of my favorite people with so much wisdom i was forced to reflect and in outraged to continue working.