Father Thomas Keating was a prominent American Trappist monk and a key figure in the development of the Centering Prayer movement. Born on March 7, 1923, in New York City, he became a monk at St. Joseph's Abbey in Massachusetts, where he dedicated his life to prayer and contemplation. Keating authored several books on spirituality and meditation, emphasizing the importance of silence and inner peace. He co-founded the Contemplative Outreach organization, which promotes the practice of Centering Prayer worldwide, helping many individuals deepen their spiritual lives through this method of prayer.