Better Part: Stages of Contemplative Living

by Thomas Keating

Book Overview

The talks on which this book was based were given at the John Main Seminar in 1998, the annual international event of the World Community for Christian Meditaion. Previous presenters have included the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0826412297
• ISBN13: 9780826412294
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Continuum
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Uplifting

Father Keating writes in a simple and straghtforward manner. In "The Better Part" he relates the three stages of comtemplative prayer to Martha, in the formative stage. Christ is in the house, but she is very busy cooking and "fussing" for Him. As she works, she is aware of His presence, but too busy to enter into it. Mary, on the other hand, sitting at His feet, has come to the realization that you don't need to do, you just need to be. Lazarus personifies the actualization of the contemplative journey or as Father Keating states it "the night of the spirit." As we seek to advance in our spiritual journey, Father Keating guides with his vast knowledge and experience. He brings us from one step to the next, encouraging and enlightening as we move from the prugative, to the illumanitive and finally we rest in the night of the Spirit.

an inspiring little book

You can read this book in a couple of evenings, and it will be a very uplifting experience. Keating offers new insight into the Gospel story of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus--with each character representing a different stage of spiritual development. This book will be a source of encouragement for those readers already familiar with Keating's teachings on centering prayer. Those not already familiar with the practice might do better to start with Keating's "Open Mind, Open Heart," although any spiritual seeker will benefit from reading this book.

The Household of Bethany

Thomas Keating is maybe the leading writer on contemplative prayer. It is evident that in reading THE BETTER PART that Keating has spent many hours in doing and studying contemplative prayer.The book, even though brief, has so much good and challenging material. It contains seven chapters. One of the most interesting chapters is "Questions and Answers." In his last chapter, Keating seeks to look into the future. It would be impossible to review each chapter, but it is clear that the setting of the household of Bethany that Jesus visited often is an excellent way to study contemplative prayer. There are many things here that will challenge your thinking and encourage you to look into centering prayer and the contemplative life. As a non-Catholic, I found this book to be most helpful in the study of prayer. The last paragraph of the book says it well. Consider it: "The Spirit may be asking the Christian denominations to join forces with each other and with other world religions in addressing human needs and social issues. The God in us is calling us to serve the God in others." This book you will probably find to be helpful and most interesting.