Better Part

Father Thomas Keating is known throughout the world as an exponent, teacher, and writer on contemplative prayer. A Cistercian (Trappist) monk of St. Benedict's Monastery, Snowmass, Colorado, he is a founder of the Centering Prayer Movement and of Contemplative Outreach. He is the author of numerous books, particularly of the trilogy Open Mind, Open Heart; Invitation to Love; and The Mystery of Christ. Among his most recent books is The Daily Reader for Contemplative Living, compiled by S. Stephanie Iachetta.

• 1. The Household of Bethany; 2. Lectio Divina; 3. The Eucharist; 4. The Contemplative Dimension of the Gospel; 5. The Psychological Experience of Centering Prayer; 6. Questions and Answers; 7. A Look at the Future.

"'The Better Part is a modest volume in size but capacious in its wisdom and common (spiritual) sense. [...] It would be wonderful for someone to interview Keating at length and publish the results as a book. His capacity to say profound things in a relatively brief space is pure gift. The final 27 pages of Q&A are worth the price of the book. I wished only for more.' Lawrence S. Cunningham, Commonweal, November 9, 2001 'Any meditator using any method of wordless, imageless prayer will find this book a rich source of wisdom and very practical advice.' Betty Fricke, Monos, 2001 'The "better part," of course, is that chosen by the introspective Mary of Bethany in the New Testament story, whose experience has long been taken by the contemplative religious. Father Keating, leader of the Centering Prayer movement, understands the contemplative and prayerful life as a form of participation in the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and his book is both a graceful description of that life and a how-to. For most collections.' Library Journal"