Thomas Keating was a Cistercian monk who founded the worldwide 'Contemplative Outreach', teaching people the art of meditation. Invitation to Love provides a road map for the journey that begins when Centering Prayer is seriously undertaken. Pointing to some of the recognizable landmarks on this journey, as well as to its ultimate destination, Father Keating addresses common questions regarding contemplative practice: How will it affect my life? Where does it lead us spiritually? What obstacles will I encounter along the way? How does it work? Following on from Open Mind, Open Heart, this book establishes a dialogue between the insights of contemporary psychology and the classic Christian spiritual masters, providing a solid conceptual background for the practice of Centering Prayer. This is a practical book, articulating the stages of the process of spiritual growth, and outlining how we might develop a deeper relationship with God and move from contemplation to action.

Acknowledgements Introduction 1 The Emotional Programs for Happiness 2 The False Self in Action 3 The Afflictive Emotions 4 The Human Condition 5 Mythic Membership Consciousness 6 Attitudes Towards God 7 Mental Egoic Consciousness 8 The Four Consents 52 9 Bernie 58 10 Anthony as a Paradigm of the Spiritual Journey 11 The Night of Sense: Freedom from the False Self 12 Special Trials in the Night of Sense 13 Anthony in the Tombs: Freedom from Cultural Conditioning 14 The Fruits of the Night of Sense 15 The Stages of Contemplative Prayer 16 The Night of Spirit 17 The Transforming Union 18 The First Four Beatitudes 19 The Last Four Beatitudes 20 The Essence of Centering Prayer 21 A Pure Faith 22 From Contemplation to Action 23 Contemplation in Action 24 Spirituality in Everyday Life Appendix I Appendix II Appendix III Notes Glossary of Terms Bibliography