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When I first enrolled in the Spiritual Journey Series, I saw Fr. Thomas primarily as a modern wisdom teacher who helped revive the contemplative treasures of the Christian tradition. Through Centering Prayer and his teachings, he made these ancient practices accessible beyond monasteries and clergy to “ordinary people leading ordinary lives.” I wasn’t seeking—or expecting—a radical transformation, but simply a deeper understanding of one of the great contemplative teachers of our time. What I discovered, however, was far more than an introduction to Christian mysticism or contemplative theology. I encountered a profound exploration of the human and spiritual dimensions of our lives—and how these inseparable realities are revealed and transformed through the ordinary experiences of everyday life. Fr. Thomas often compared the Spiritual Journey to a river, constantly flowing from its source toward its destination, with one bank formed by prayer and the other by the events and experiences of daily living. Throughout the Spiritual Journey Series, Fr. Thomas explains how the false self develops, why we suffer, how unconscious emotional programs shape our behavior, and how God’s grace gradually heals and transforms us. He understood that as people deepen their relationship with God through Centering Prayer and other contemplative practices, something profound begins to unfold. Over time, he witnessed so many were surprised, confused and unsettled with the psychological, emotional, and spiritual experiences they encountered. After accompanying thousands of practitioners over many years, he recognized that many were undergoing a deep inner transformation without fully understanding what was happening—or why. To help people make sense of their unfolding journey, he created the Spiritual Journey Series, providing a practical framework for understanding the human condition, the false self, Divine Therapy, and the gradual awakening to our true identity in God. In doing so, he offers practical guidance and spiritual wisdom for living a contemplative life—a life increasingly in harmony with ourselves, with others, and with the world around us. More importantly, it teaches us how to recognize and cooperate with God’s transforming grace in the midst of ordinary daily life, where the true spiritual journey unfolds. Fr. Thomas originally taught these teachings as part of the 10-day Centering Prayer Immersion Retreats held at Snowmass. Later, with the support of Contemplative Outreach, video recordings were produced, transcripts and books published, and facilitators trained to extend these teachings to a wider audience. The first four foundational courses—Centering Prayer and the Spiritual Journey, The Human Condition, Spirituality in Everyday Life, and Divine Therapy—provide the essential framework for understanding the contemplative journey: prayer, the human condition, the false self, and the healing work of Divine Therapy. The remaining advanced courses—Divine Love, Heartfulness, The Gift of Life, and God is Love—explore the fruits of this transformation and the awakening to Divine Love. Today, Contemplative Outreach chapters continue offering Fr. Thomas’ teachings through 10-day Centering Prayer Immersion Retreats. For those unable to attend an intensive retreat—or for those seeking a slower-paced or deeper exploration—two additional options are available:
Thomas Keating teaches the Spiritual Journey through a rich blend of contemplative wisdom, psychology, theology, and everyday experience that helps make deep spiritual transformation more understandable, even though the inner experiences and concepts he describes can sometimes feel subtle, unfamiliar, and difficult to grasp. I found the online classes offered by Contemplative Outreach of Colorado especially valuable because the facilitators and fellow participants shared their own insights and lived experiences with material that can sometimes feel profound, unfamiliar, and challenging. Their wisdom, questions, and personal stories often brought Fr. Thomas’s teachings to life in ways that deepened my own understanding. If the self-paced online program from Contemplative Outreach, Ltd. is your primary option, I strongly encourage finding a spiritual director, someone familiar with Keating’s teachings, or a small group of fellow seekers to accompany you on the journey. The Spiritual Journey was never intended to be traveled alone, and having companions to reflect, question, and grow with can make the experience far richer and more transformative. Blessings and peace, |
