Snowmass, Nov

Snowmass, Nov.5 2000

Fr. Thomas Keating, conference 4:45 pm at the advanced retreat at the Retreat Center.

Enter into your inner room and pray in secret to your father, and he will reward you. Matthew 8:8

The source of our being at every level is with us always, not just in the inner room. However, in the inner room is an INCREASE IN INTENSITY. There is an increase, an immensity, an amazing, surprising, unbelievable increase in the intensity of the divine presence in the inner room. The intensity confirms and affirms our basic goodness and capacity for compassionate love He gives us a sense of peace, presence, well-being, and for those who need it, meaning--even if it is as brief as a few seconds. This changes our idea of ourselves. We feel we belong in this potentially hazardous universe. Even in the 11 alternate realms that scientists talk about now. (discussion of Newtonian and Descartes obsolete models of cosmology)

People are coming to adulthood without adult consciousness. They are growing up in sub-human or brutalized conditions. There are millions of emotionally damaged children, especially in the troubled areas of the world. We are involved in this melodrama just by existing at this present moment. And in our own culture, even the giant corporations are so conglomeratized you can't keep up with who has bought what. AT&T is involved in pornography through some of its cable holdings, and when questioned reply it is so popular, they owe it to their shareholders to participate. Even companies like General Motors are involved in this. The bottom line of Western Culture is money.

The inner room is BOTH dealing with our compensatory inventions to manage the repressions of our power centers and our over-identification with groups, AND not just the affirmation of our basic goodness, but increasing awareness of this dark side of our culture and ourselves. Thus the inner room gives us an invitation to participate in BALANCING the collective human family. Our prayer has a SOCIAL ASPECT. The one-ness of the human family. A deepening of our sense of relatedness. We must be available to God on a regular basis. Thus, we bring the values of the inner room, the compassion that emerges after our evacuation, to the world. The inner room allows a cultivation of our spiritual psyche. It establishes a habit of PROMPTITUDE OF LETTING GO. We learn to dis-identify. We experience an inner freedom to not pursue the thoughts, programs and emotions stemming from our cultural conditioning.

The infused recollection, or union, can begin now. As an aside, God can, however, begin this infused recollection anytime he chooses.

This ascesis, or apprenticeship in silence is humiliating, however. Until we ask God for help. The 12 step program is a good model. After the personal inventory step 6 or 7, we don't "make an effort" to change. We become willing to let God, as we understand him, do this. In Centering Prayer, the intensification of the Divine presence is the healing. But, we must ask ourselves the question, ARE WE WILLING? Are we willing to let go of ANYTHING with a self-centered bias? We must exercise this willingness. Then, having been willing, we pray that God will take the faults away. God is ready, and his - its - intelligence is exquisitely calibrated to deal with all our falseness, and he loves us anyway. He knows our history; he knows our schemes. Letting go liberates us. The spiritual journey takes half a lifetime. It can take a whole lifetime. So we need perseverance.

The purification process needs a practice, 12 step is a fine one. IT IS NOT A SELF-HELP PROGRAM, IT'S A GOD HELP ME! PROGRAM.

Question - In centering prayer, I sometimes hear a voice throwing a spotlight on an issue. Should I listen, or is this just a thought. Answer - Listen, but be cautious. Experiment. He may deal differently with different people. It would be good for the coordinator or some one to identify a few very experienced people in each area who can help with issues such as this. There are now a number of people with 20-25 years of Centering Prayer, so we can now deal with this.

Q. Good ideas will come back.

A. Yes, good to hear validation of my theory. But more, they will come back with synchronicity. God doesn't like to do too many miracles, so he'll often "hide behind" someone else or other sources to bring things about. The idea will come back through another person; you'll find a note on a scrap of paper in the wastebasket, or some other unlikely source. Dealing with the human psyche is tough. God is exquisitely attuned to our fragile psyches. God works with our limitations and flaws. He instructs without negativity. Look at Martha, or the disciples wanting to be first. He doesn't say, "You're wrong."

The gift of Counsel is NUDGING US constantly and gently in daily life.

Back to the inner room. We get affirmation that we are on the road to self-purification, but it is affirmative. It requires DISCERNMENT. Our negativity often comes from our bruised PRIDE punishing us in our failure to live up to our self-image and our own expectations. IT IS NOT GOD WHO PUNISHES.

Father Keating believes in the ONTOLOGICAL UNCONSCIOUS as our potential energy waiting to be realized. This is as opposed to our psychological unconscious. This then, seems to be the collective unconscious writ large, the awareness of all beings who ever have been, are or will ever be. This seems to be the working definition he uses for the energy repository of the collective sins of creation waiting for redemption. We of course, are the mediative agent through whom God will work this redemption. God wants us to get our act together, and have enough of us with this Christ consciousness who not only personally repent, but who repent on behalf of and by dint of their compassionately experiencing the sins and flaws of all mankind.

Q. What is the experience of a matured Centering Prayer practice?

A. It will still be variable. Some days you will feel very integrated, other days (laughter) hopeless. But the very EXERCISE of compassion and love brings a strengthening of love.

Q. How about extending the advanced retreat at home, and doing several hours of sits?

A. Not a good idea. Here, we under supervision do an intensive period. This loosens up the psychological material, and moves us forward. But, you go to the therapist not to stay in therapy, but to go out into the world. This is not like Zen practice, which is essentially, "Be here, now", a focus on the senses. Centering Prayer is a withdrawal from the senses, for a healing period. Then we live life with the benefit of the healing.

Q. What did you mean about Belief Systems versus Faith the other day?

A. Faith precedes belief systems. The belief systems were generally put together as a way to describe the faith that was already experienced. The Belief System is a support for the Faith, and a way to proceed towards Faith for those that don't have it. The belief system (religion) is not faith. The experience of the Dark Night "relativizes" belief systems, but the belief system is not rejected. That is why it is not that important which belief system you use. Stay with what you are comfortable with.

Remember, YOU DON'T GO AROUND RELIGION. YOU GO THROUGH IT, IN ORDER TO FULFILL IT.

Religion is supportive. Mature Faith probably doesn't need the belief system, but it is supportive.

Q. Is a belief system like "hallowed training wheels? Like training wheels for a bike, in this case the bike is the spiritual journey?"

A. Well, I suppose even your body needs support, as even your cells are changing through this process. Your whole self needs to be transformed, body, soul and spirit. Centering Prayer RELATIVIZES ALL RIGIDITIES.

Faith in the Divine Presence is the common element in all religions.


	Snowmass, Nov.5 2000 Fr. Thomas Keating, conference 4:45 pm at the advanced retreat at the Retreat Center. Enter into your inner room and pray in secret to your father, and he will reward you. Matthew 8:8 The source of our being at every level is with us always, not just in the inner room. However, in the inner room is an INCREASE IN INTENSITY. There is an increase, an immensity, an amazing, surprising, unbelievable increase in the intensity of the divine presence in the inner room. The intensity confirms and affirms our basic goodness and capacity for compassionate love He gives us a sense of peace, presence, well-being, and for those who need it, meaning--even if it is as brief as a few seconds. This changes our idea of ourselves. We feel we belong in this potentially hazardous universe. Even in the 11 alternate realms that scientists talk about now. (discussion of Newtonian and Descartes obsolete models of cosmology) People are coming to adulthood without adult consciousness. They are growing up in sub-human or brutalized conditions. There are millions of emotionally damaged children, especially in the troubled areas of the world. We are involved in this melodrama just by existing at this present moment. And in our own culture, even the giant corporations are so conglomeratized you can't keep up with who has bought what. AT&T is involved in pornography through some of its cable holdings, and when questioned reply it is so popular, they owe it to their shareholders to participate. Even companies like General Motors are involved in this. The bottom line of Western Culture is money. The inner room is BOTH dealing with our compensatory inventions to manage the repressions of our power centers and our over-identification with groups, AND not just the affirmation of our basic goodness, but increasing awareness of this dark side of our culture and ourselves. Thus the inner room gives us an invitation to participate in BALANCING the collective human family. Our prayer has a SOCIAL ASPECT. The one-ness of the human family. A deepening of our sense of relatedness. We must be available to God on a regular basis. Thus, we bring the values of the inner room, the compassion that emerges after our evacuation, to the world. The inner room allows a cultivation of our spiritual psyche. It establishes a habit of PROMPTITUDE OF LETTING GO. We learn to dis-identify. We experience an inner freedom to not pursue the thoughts, programs and emotions stemming from our cultural conditioning. The infused recollection, or union, can begin now. As an aside, God can, however, begin this infused recollection anytime he chooses. This ascesis, or apprenticeship in silence is humiliating, however. Until we ask God for help. The 12 step program is a good model. After the personal inventory step 6 or 7, we don't "make an effort" to change. We become willing to let God, as we understand him, do this. In Centering Prayer, the intensification of the Divine presence is the healing. But, we must ask ourselves the question, ARE WE WILLING? Are we willing to let go of ANYTHING with a self-centered bias? We must exercise this willingness. Then, having been willing, we pray that God will take the faults away. God is ready, and his - its - intelligence is exquisitely calibrated to deal with all our falseness, and he loves us anyway. He knows our history; he knows our schemes. Letting go liberates us. The spiritual journey takes half a lifetime. It can take a whole lifetime. So we need perseverance. The purification process needs a practice, 12 step is a fine one. IT IS NOT A SELF-HELP PROGRAM, IT'S A GOD HELP ME! PROGRAM. Question - In centering prayer, I sometimes hear a voice throwing a spotlight on an issue. Should I listen, or is this just a thought. Answer - Listen, but be cautious. Experiment. He may deal differently with different people. It would be good for the coordinator or some one to identify a few very experienced people in each area who can help with issues such as this. There are now a number of people with 20-25 years of Centering Prayer, so we can now deal with this. Q. Good ideas will come back. A. Yes, good to hear validation of my theory. But more, they will come back with synchronicity. God doesn't like to do too many miracles, so he'll often "hide behind" someone else or other sources to bring things about. The idea will come back through another person; you'll find a note on a scrap of paper in the wastebasket, or some other unlikely source. Dealing with the human psyche is tough. God is exquisitely attuned to our fragile psyches. God works with our limitations and flaws. He instructs without negativity. Look at Martha, or the disciples wanting to be first. He doesn't say, "You're wrong." The gift of Counsel is NUDGING US constantly and gently in daily life. Back to the inner room. We get affirmation that we are on the road to self-purification, but it is affirmative. It requires DISCERNMENT. Our negativity often comes from our bruised PRIDE punishing us in our failure to live up to our self-image and our own expectations. IT IS NOT GOD WHO PUNISHES. Father Keating believes in the ONTOLOGICAL UNCONSCIOUS as our potential energy waiting to be realized. This is as opposed to our psychological unconscious. This then, seems to be the collective unconscious writ large, the awareness of all beings who ever have been, are or will ever be. This seems to be the working definition he uses for the energy repository of the collective sins of creation waiting for redemption. We of course, are the mediative agent through whom God will work this redemption. God wants us to get our act together, and have enough of us with this Christ consciousness who not only personally repent, but who repent on behalf of and by dint of their compassionately experiencing the sins and flaws of all mankind. Q. What is the experience of a matured Centering Prayer practice? A. It will still be variable. Some days you will feel very integrated, other days (laughter) hopeless. But the very EXERCISE of compassion and love brings a strengthening of love. Q. How about extending the advanced retreat at home, and doing several hours of sits? A. Not a good idea. Here, we under supervision do an intensive period. This loosens up the psychological material, and moves us forward. But, you go to the therapist not to stay in therapy, but to go out into the world. This is not like Zen practice, which is essentially, "Be here, now", a focus on the senses. Centering Prayer is a withdrawal from the senses, for a healing period. Then we live life with the benefit of the healing. Q. What did you mean about Belief Systems versus Faith the other day? A. Faith precedes belief systems. The belief systems were generally put together as a way to describe the faith that was already experienced. The Belief System is a support for the Faith, and a way to proceed towards Faith for those that don't have it. The belief system (religion) is not faith. The experience of the Dark Night "relativizes" belief systems, but the belief system is not rejected. That is why it is not that important which belief system you use. Stay with what you are comfortable with. Remember, YOU DON'T GO AROUND RELIGION. YOU GO THROUGH IT, IN ORDER TO FULFILL IT. Religion is supportive. Mature Faith probably doesn't need the belief system, but it is supportive. Q. Is a belief system like "hallowed training wheels? Like training wheels for a bike, in this case the bike is the spiritual journey?" A. Well, I suppose even your body needs support, as even your cells are changing through this process. Your whole self needs to be transformed, body, soul and spirit. Centering Prayer RELATIVIZES ALL RIGIDITIES. Faith in the Divine Presence is the common element in all religions.
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