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Sounds True: Insights at the Edge

Father Thomas Keating: Inviting the Presence of the Divine

Sounds True: Insights at the Edge

Tami Simon

Religion, Religion & Spirituality

4.61.8K Ratings

🗓️ 25 December 2018

⏱️ 72 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Father Thomas Keating was a Trappist monk in the Cistercian Order who served as abbot of Saint Joseph's Abbey Monastery in Spencer, MA, for more than 20 years. He was the author of 20 books, and was one of the architects of the contemporary Centering Prayer movement. Father Keating passed away on October 25, 2018. In celebration of his life and to honor his death, Sounds True is rebroadcasting this classic Insights at the Edge interview. Here, Tami Simon and Father Keating discuss the monastic path, prayer, doubt, and how he has dealt with both little deaths and big deaths in his own life. They also talk about the afterlife and the transformative process that occurs when one engages regularly with the practice of Centering Prayer. (72 minutes) Tami's Takeaway: This conversation was originally recorded in 2008, 10 years before Father Thomas Keating died on October 25, 2018, at the age of 95. We discussed in detail many little deaths that had occurred in his life, including a fire that occurred at his monastery, his resignation from being an abbot, and other events that Father Thomas called "invitations to greater and greater diminishment." Surrendering and accepting these little deaths anchored Father Thomas in what he describes as a "boundless confidence with nothing to stand on." We even discussed what Father Thomas imagined his own physical death would be like. His answer: "A plunge into the immensity of love, irresistibly." Listening to this conversation afresh reminded me of how Father Thomas Keating is a truly great teacher of death and resurrection.

Transcript

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0:00.0

This program is brought to you by sounds true.com.

0:04.0

At sounds true.com you can find hundreds of downloadable audio

0:08.0

learning programs, plus books, music, videos, and online courses and events.

0:14.0

At sounds true.com, we think of ourselves as a trusted partner on the spiritual journey,

0:20.0

offering diverse, in-depth, and life-changing wisdom.

0:24.0

Sounds True.com. You're listening to Insights at the Edge.

0:37.0

Today we feature a special interview with Father Thomas Keating.

0:45.7

Father Thomas Keating was a Trappist monk for over 60 years and was known as one of the principal developers of centering prayer, a

0:56.7

contemporary method of contemplative prayer that emerged from St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts.

1:04.8

Father Thomas Keating co-founded the Snowmass Interreligious Conference

1:10.4

and also contemplative outreach, and he's the author of many books including Open Mind, Open Heart.

1:19.0

Father Thomas Keating had a rare intelligence, brightness, and warmth about him.

1:27.9

A true pioneer of both centering prayer and interfaith dialogue he was beloved by many including me and

1:39.6

passed away on October 25th, 2018 at the age of 95.

1:47.0

The following interview I had with Father Thomas Keating

1:51.0

took place 10 years ago.

1:54.4

It happened in person while Sounds True

1:57.3

was recording an online course on Centering Prayer.

2:02.0

In celebration of the life of Father Thomas Keating, I hope you

2:07.4

enjoy this special broadcast of Insights at the edge. Thank you, Father Thomas, for being willing to have this conversation with me.

2:23.0

Thank you.

2:24.0

Welcome.

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