Healing Our Violence

Just came back from attending NECF National Pastors-Leaders Consultation on Nation Building, held at Vistana hotel, Kuala Lumpur. This is a one-day consultation.

For me, this means a 4 hours drive to Kuala Lumpur and another 4 hours drive back home. I drove to KL last night. I do not mind the long drive because this is the only protracted time I have to listen to some recorded talks without interruption.


This trip, I was able to listen to a 7 hours (6 CDs) retreat talk by Father Thomas Keating OCSO and Father Richard Rohr OFM on Healing our Violence through the Journey of Centering Prayer.

Franciscan priest Father Richard Rohr is the founding director of the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Cistercian priest Father Thomas Keating was the former abbot of St. Benedict Monastery and after his retirement founded Contemplative Outreach.

The talks are
(1) Awakening to Friendship with God (Thomas Keating)
(2) Connecting with being (Richard Rohr)
(3) Centering prayer (Keating)
(4) Who are you? (Rohr)
(5) Evil and True Self I (Rohr)
(6) Evil and True Self II (Rohr)
(7) Divine Therapy (Keating)
(8) A Christian response to Evil (Rohr)
(9) Who is God? (Keating)
(10) Steps to Maturity (Rohr)

These series of talk are excellent as two international renowned spiritual guides explore our inner and outer spiritual journeys. They pulled no punches as they challenge us to face the evil around us and the demons within us, as we open ourselves to the divine therapy of God.

Highly recommended.