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Sleiman
- The method of Centering Prayer promoted by Fr. Keating's writings above encourages emptying one's mind from all thoughts and feelings while focusing on a sacred word - a practice suggested to be repeated for 20 minutes each morning and evening. Fr. Keating says in Open Mind, Open Heart, "All thoughts pass if you wait long enough." Several Catholic writers have warned against the dangers of such practice. See for example this article on Catholic Culture (http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=6337&CFID=8849382&CFTOKEN=62367256) This is just a heads-up that the methods of prayer advertised in these works are at least controversial. In fact, there are many (including EWTN, Catholic Answers, others) who would consider them even dangerous practices. So, buyer beware.
- Keating is, in fact, very traditional and orthodox. The concerns that Sleiman references are all conservative and more rule-bound than traditional Catholicism. Reading the history of mysticism in the Church in the various volumes of Bernard McGinn should allay these concerns.