BOOK REVIEW:
Invitation to Love: The Way of Christian Contemplation

May 12, 2005

EDITOR'S NOTE: This book review is sponsored by the Religious Education Media Center as a service to those interested in developing their own spirituality. Books featured in this column can be borrowed from the diocesan media center.

You may request this or other books by writing Deacon Larry Sitzman, Religious Education Media Center, 1821 Jackson St., Sioux City, IA 51102, e-mail him at larrys@scdiocese.org or phone (712) 255-7933. The reference code number for the book is pr 1587.73.

This month, Father Thomas J. Topf, pastor at St. Michael Church in Kingsley, offers the book review of Invitation to Love: The Way of Christian Contemplation by author Rev. Thomas Keating. (Continuum, 151 pages, paperback.)

Invitation to Love is a sequel to the very popular book entitled Open Mind, Open Heart which carefully explains the method and benefits of Centering Prayer. The author, Rev. Thomas Keating, is a Cistercian priest, who is the founder of the Centering Prayer Movement and of the Contemplative Outreach Organization which offers retreats, workshops and media materials on the subject of Centering Prayer.

Looking for a book that you can resonate with? This could be it. The author seeks to establish a dialogue between the insights of contemporary psychology and the classic Christian spiritual masters, like St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila. This book is not difficult to read and provides interesting practical insights for anyone who is thinking seriously about their spiritual journey.

In the first chapter the author describes our human condition in terms of the faulty emotional programs that we unconsciously set up for happiness. These emotional programs which start to become established within us at childhood tend to center around security, pleasure, esteem and power. Father Keating writes, "Contemplative prayer addresses the human condition exactly where it is...Our spiritual journey does not start with a clean slate. We carry with us a prepackaged set of values and preconceived ideas which, unless confronted and redirected, will soon scuttle our journey, or else turn it into pharisaism, the occupational hazard of religious and spiritual people." (p. 5)

In chapters two and three he describes the "False Self in Action" and the "Afflictive Emotions." He tells the story of his entrance into the monastery and how he unwittingly fell into severe competition with another monk in his eagerness for spiritual attainment. He writes: "Why did I, a young man who had given up so much to come to the monastery, experience such a strong feelings of envy? Evidently one of the programs in my unconscious was still in place. Was I using the time of prayer as a security blanket? Or again, was I in competition with my brother monk somewhat like the young man who fasted everyone under the table?" (p 17)

As time passed he discovered that following Christ is like working with a psychotherapist who has a clear insight into what is wrong with us. With incredible accuracy he found that God puts his finger on exactly the spot that needs attention at this precise time in our spiritual growth. If we are still hanging on to possessiveness, for example, God comes along and says, oftentimes through some person or event, "Won't you give this to me?"

The content of the book continues like a map which describes the direction that spiritual growth often takes by pointing out the broad steps along the way. Included on this spiritual map are some of the joys and hazards on the journey Each chapter is sprinkled with personal anecdotes and stories of people who followed Christ according to their own unique personality and tendencies. Particularly consoling is the chapter about "Bernie", a monk who was the cook and milked cows by hand every day.

An extrovert by nature, he became a contemplative by admiring the beauty of nature, praying the rosary and through works of hospitality. On the other hand St. Anthony of Egypt is described as one who had many severe confrontations with the devil as he passed through the Night of Sense, a period of trials that he endured before reaching full union with God.

When you finish the book Invitation to Love you have a sense that this spiritual map can be very helpful to you on your spiritual journey and you are not so surprised at the unusual tosses and turns along the way. Both the Night of Sense and the Night of the Spirit produce permanent fruits that make all the trials worthwhile. The book begins to wind down by reminding the reader that union with God is the ultimate goal of all prayer, and that apostolic action is the fruit of all prayer, including contemplative prayer.

Finally, the book ends with a very practical chapter entitled: "Spirituality in Everyday Life." This chapter briefly explains how to dismantle our false emotional programs in very simple and prayerful ways. Father Keating has an amazing ability to put ancient and unchanging truths into language that the modern Christian can understand and practice. I recommend this book for anyone interested in going deeper into prayer and intimacy with God.