M. Basil Pennington, OCSO, was a monk for more than fifty years. He lived at St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts and was the author of many modern spiritual classics, including Lectio Divina and Centering Prayer.Thomas Keating, OCSO, is a monk, priest and former abbot who currently lives at St. Benedict's Monastery in Snowmass, Colorado. His books include Open Mind, Open Heart; Intimacy with God and many others.Thomas E. Clarke, SJ, is a well-known Jesuit writer and spiritual father. He now resides at Bethany Retreat Center in Highland Mills, New York.Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault, PhD, is an Episcopal priest and retreat leader focusing in Christian Spirituality. She is principal teacher for the Contemplative Society in Victoria, British Columbia, and founding director of the Aspen Wisdom School in Aspen, Colorado. Her books include Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening, The Wisdom Way of Knowing, Encountering the Wisdom Jesus, Mystical Hope and Love Is Stronger than Death. She serves on the core faculty for the Spiritual Paths Foundation whose mission is to promote curiosity, respect and acceptance between people of diverse spiritual traditions.

"Father Keating writes with the simplicity and depth that emerges from more than fifty years of practicing to become a 'friend of God.'… Those of us who learn from him are grateful for—and blessed by—his gifts."—Elaine Pagels, author of Adam, Eve, and the Serpent and other books“Basil Pennington [was] a gifted, creative, powerful and wise teacher—one of the truly precious souls of our generation.”—Lawrence Kushner, author, Invisible Lines of Connection: Sacred Stories of the Ordinary and other books

• Foreword to the Third EditionForeword to the 25th Anniversary EditionForeword to the First EditionCentering PrayerM. Basil Pennington, OCSOCultivating the Centering PrayerThomas Keating, OCSOContemplative Prayer in Christian TraditionThomas Keating, OCSOFinding Grace at the CenterThomas E. Clarke, SJFocus on Centering PrayerResources