“You revive my drooping head, my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.” (Psalm 23:5-6 MSG)
Fr. Thomas Keating, a contemporary theologian and philosopher, is known for his teachings on contemplative prayer. According to Keating, we develop a false image of ourselves to cope with vulnerability. Humans have an instinctual need for security, esteem, and control. Whenever we feel a sense of deprivation or fear, these compulsions are magnified. The ‘false self’ is fed or energized by our exaggerated need for security, respect, and control. We spend most of our lives pursuing affirmation and power in an effort to compensate for our insecurities and vulnerabilities.
Keating came up with a method to free ourselves from this false self. He describes contemplative prayer as a form of divine therapy--an inner experience of the divine presence. We no longer have to put up a defensive front, trying to meet our needs on our own. Our underlying goodness is revealed underneath layers and layers of false images that we have inadvertently created and maintained. As we center our hearts and minds on God, we allow Him to heal our unconscious. Once we acknowledge that God is the only true source of security, affection, and power, he clears out the masks, props, and costumes. He revives our true self. He pursues us in unrelenting love until we are able to experience the divine presence.
Lord, You are the Divine Therapist. We want to experience Your presence. Heal our unconscious. Restore our true selves.
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