The Contemplative Dimension of the Twelve Steps
With Thomas Keating
In this video series Thomas Keating speaks with a group of people in 12-Step recovery who are interested in Centering Prayer as an 11th step practice. He teaches the method of Centering Prayer along with its conceptual background. While acknowledging that Centering Prayer is rooted in the Christian contemplative tradition, his teaching makes this practice accessible to everyone. Throughout the video series he relates the spiritual process one experiences with a Centering Prayer practice to the process one experiences in working the 12 steps and living a life in recovery. He notes that while Centering Prayer and the 12 Steps come from different places, they seem to reach the same conclusion: the way to true happiness, freedom, and love is a genuine, healthy dependence on God.
Session 1: The Inner Room
Fr. Thomas covers the conceptual background of Centering Prayer from the wisdom saying of Jesus in Matthew 6:6, the relationship of Centering Prayer to the…
VISIT THIS ENTRYSession 2: Prayer in Secret
Fr. Thomas continues exploring the conceptual background of Centering Prayer through the wisdom saying of Jesus from Matthew 6:6, through the deepening of our relationship…
VISIT THIS ENTRYSession 3: The Method of Centering Prayer
Fr. Thomas leads us into the practice of Centering Prayer through choosing a sacred word and then into a guided meditation to quiet us down…
VISIT THIS ENTRYSession 4: Thoughts and Use of the Sacred Word
Fr. Thomas explains thoughts as an umbrella term for any perceptions we experience, the different kinds of thoughts, and some nuances of using the sacred…
VISIT THIS ENTRYSession 5: Thoughts are Integral
Fr. Thomas shows us how thoughts are integral to Centering Prayer by introducing us to the unloading of the unconscious and the divine therapy which…
VISIT THIS ENTRYSession 6: Prayer as Relationship
Fr. Thomas talks about the spiritual level of our being and Centering Prayer as a Way of Life.
VISIT THIS ENTRYSession 7: Where Are You?
Fr. Thomas suggests that the story of Adam and Eve is the story of how we each experience the pain of separation from God. God…
VISIT THIS ENTRYSession 8: Who Are You?
Fr. Thomas leads us into a deeper exploration of the human condition and the false-self system which he also calls the homemade self. It is…
VISIT THIS ENTRYSession 9: Our Lives Had Become Unmanageable
The Energy Centers are part of the false-self system, what Fr. Thomas calls our emotional programs for happiness on the unconscious level (that can’t possibly…
VISIT THIS ENTRYSession 10: The 11th Step and Centering Prayer
Fr. Thomas introduces putting the 11th step into practice to assist the movement of the Spirit in our daily life. He offers practical suggestions for…
VISIT THIS ENTRYSession 11: Unloading of the Unconscious
The deep rest we experience in Centering Prayer uncovers from the unconscious not only what troubles or upsets us in our interior life, but also…
VISIT THIS ENTRYSession 12: Practice for Daily Life: The Welcoming Prayer
Fr. Thomas was once heard to say that next to Centering Prayer, the Welcoming Prayer is our second most important prayer practice. We have Centering…
VISIT THIS ENTRYSession 13: The 12 Steps and Centering Prayer
Fr. Thomas returns to quotes from Bill W that describe his struggles with the human condition and daily life. In finding references from Bill W’s…
VISIT THIS ENTRYSession 14: The Active Prayer Sentence and the Attention/Intention Practice
In previous sessions Fr. Thomas discussed how the deep rest we experience in Centering Prayer starts to uncover repressed material from our unconscious both in…
VISIT THIS ENTRYSession 15: What is Contemplation?
Fr. Thomas explains that meditation and contemplation have distinct meanings in different religions. He further distinguishes between acquired contemplation and infused contemplation. He compares Centering…
VISIT THIS ENTRYSession 16: A Case for Introducing Centering Prayer Earlier than Step 11
Fr. Thomas talks about the history of Centering Prayer and how it evolved over time. When it was first introduced it was thought people needed…
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Additional Resources for 12 Step Recovery
Thomas Keating on Practicing AA Principles in Daily Life Thomas Keating on Practicing AA Principles in Daily Life Thomas Keating on Divine Therapy and Addiction:…
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