The Consequences of Listening: Thomas Keating on his "Encounter Group" Experience in the Sixties

Fr. Thomas Keating shares his (at times hilarious) experience in 1968 when he attended a week long "T-group," also known as a human relations training group, an encounter group, or sensitivity-training. He likened its emphasis on self disclosure to how Jesus Christ poured himself out to share his relationship with his Father. The bottom line is that in self disclosure, the group is moved into a solidarity by sharing their weakness and human powerlessness, thereby strengthening the group. In the Christian tradition, Jesus pours himself out, empties himself, and opens us to experiencing the depths of the divine relationship with God. This talk was recorded at the 2006 Contemplative Outreach Annual Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. The theme was "Transformative Listening: Whose Voice Are We Listening To?" For other talks from this event by Fr. Thomas and Abbot Joseph Boyle of St. Benedict's Monastery, go to    • Transformative Listening  . For more from Contemplative Outreach, co-founded by Fr. Thomas, go to https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org.