Examines the fundamental issues of who we are and helps us on our path of
Trade Review
How well do we know ourselves? So many roles and identities shape individual lives that it's easy to be confused about what is authentically "us." Rohr, a Franciscan priest and founding director of the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, N.Mex., leads a narrative excursion to the "True Self," the core of character that lies like a diamond buried within. Writing for secular seekers, the author claims that individuals need to allow the false self to fall away in order to get in touch with the true self, allowing it to breathe and flourish. Grasping onto the superficial identities of the false self, such as job, class, race, or accomplishments, can keep people from being the loving and generous conduits of the Divine that they are meant to be. God is always communicating with humans, but those who cling to ego and social position can’t hear these divine messages. The author makes clear that it is not easy to shed this falseness for truth in the inner life, but it is a spiritual path well worth the effort. (Jan.) (Publishers Weekly, February 2013)
Table of Contents
Invitation: The Immortal Diamond of the True Self vii
Preface xvii
1 What Is ‘‘The True Self’’? 1
2 What Is ‘‘The False Self’’? 27
3 What Dies and Who Lives? 59
4 The Knife Edge of Experience 67
5 Thou Art That 95
6 If It Is True, It Is True Everywhere 127
7 Enlightenment at Gunpoint 139
8 Intimate with Everything 159
9 Love Is Stronger Than Death 175
Epilogue 187
Appendix A The True Self and the False Self 189
Appendix B A Mosaic of Metaphors 193
Appendix C Watching at the Tomb: Attitudes for Prayer 199
Appendix D Head into Heart: ‘‘The Sacred Heart’’ 203
Appendix E Adam’s Breathing: Praying from the Clay 207
Appendix F Twelve Ways to Practice Resurrection Now 211
Notes 213
Bibliography 231
The Author 237
Index 239
