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.

How does it work? As Keating answers, this book is "an attempt to provide a road map, as it were, for the journay that begins when Centering Prayer is seriously undertaken...for a deepening relationship with God."

Invitation to Love is the second book in the trilogy, following Open Heart Open Mind, the ground breaking work of Father Thomas Keating. The ground breaking being done, this work lays the foundation for a practice that creates the personel temple of spiritual freedom. The seeds being planted in the fertile soil of our hearts gives clarity and value to the oasis of contemplation.
In Keatings own words "none of us start with a clean slate and soon discover our programs for happiness simply don't work". While it is common to view this journey as as ascension, Keating contends that is more of a descension, into the heart. The very place that God dwells, patiently and lovingly, longing for our return to the very place where we started. While we may begin with great enthusiasm, Father Thomas explains about the Night of Sense that follows close behind, our over dependance on the senses and reason can get in the way and many people simply feel that they have lost their way. This the time to entrust ourselves completely to his infinite mercy.
Invitation to Love is a blessing, a gift from this messenger of peace to aid us in building a practice that will lead to a deeper level where memory and imagination are suspended.This helps our realization that Heaven is not a destination and God is not a cop watching for our mistakes. Heaven is here and now, as God watches with loving eyes, his children turn to him with spirit filled hearts in the silence. Where would you be without Love? ( )