The Gift of Contemplative Prayer - Everything Belongs

Oh my! I keep reading and re-reading sections and pages and chapters. I have yet to make it to the end (because I don't want it to end ?) and I already know this book will be my friend for years to come.

I will invariably read everything that comes from the genius that is Rohr. This is not to say that I agree with everything he writes, but I appreciate his perspective, and I appreciate his chewing on Christianity and making greater personal sense of it in the light of how modernism and postmodernism, which is to say materialism (as a worldview), has challenged and attacked it. He is one of the most reasonable, and encouraging, voices in Christianity today.

I loved his other works, some more than others, and really liked (almost loved) this book. I felt that this text occasionally rambled somewhat and was difficult to follow in some places, as if there were no logical progression to the book. But the points that he makes in this work make it well worth purchasing and following all the way to the last page, even if he takes us through the fens in certain brief places. I found a few typographical errors in here as well, so my suggestion to Rohr is that he fire his copy editor.

All in all, this is a very good book, with wonderful and challenging ideas. I will most likely read it again.

Everything Belongs is a staggering work with a simple, powerful message. Richard Rohr's compassion, love, and faith comes through with every word on the page, drawing the reader inward. Whether you are Catholic (as Rohr is), from another Christian denomination, agnostic, or from a different faith tradition, Everything Belongs suggests a radical way of living in grace.

This is not a "how to" book that walks you through a set of steps to "achieve" contemplative prayer. Rather, it is itself a contemplation on the power of prayer, the importance of experiencing love, and the radical grace that comes with stepping outside of our society's power structures. It is a challenge to find God in all things and transform the way you think, pray, and live.

Everything Belongs is not a book that you can read and digest in an afternoon (although it is relatively slender). Each sentence must be savored, contemplated, and returned to time and again.

Richard Rohr has written a beautiful book with Everything Belongs. His major point is for us to realize that we aren't really supposed to be striving toward something (kingdom of God, etc), but rather being present and aware to the fact that we are already in it. God is with us, in us, through us...and our job is to recognize it. While there are times when Rohr seems a little repetitive in his teachings it is helpful to hear how the same thoughts tie together in different subject areas. Rohr is pretty clear in his disappointment with clergy and religion in general as he describes them as lacking in really experiencing God, and being able to help others experience God. Seems like he would make it a pre-requisite for any clergy looking to either enter seminary or at least before taking a job as a pastor.

Richard Rohr, Everything Belongs: the Gift of Contemplative Prayer (Crossroad 2003).

Each decade it seems I read a book I wish I'd written. This is one: a brilliant collection of spiritual wisdom. Richard Rohr is probably America's (the world's?) most sought-after teacher of Spirituality and Spiritual Direction. He has both an amazing verbal fluency and breadth of wisdom. He's the founder/director of the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albacerqui New Mexico. (Look it up in Google and purchase some of his tapes/CDs - easy listening! Well, the teaching style is easy on the ears but the prophetic emphasis might be hard!).

Richard is a Franciscan, a `post Vatican 2' Catholic who is critical of both liberal and conservative theological assumptions. He believes (unlike many Protestants) that God was not dead before the 15th century, and also (unlike many Evangelicals/ Fundamentalists) that spiritual wisdom may also be found in some non-Christian sources (though he is critical of many of the presuppositions of Zen, New Age spirituality etc. as well).

Prayer in the teaching of Jesus (and of Richard) is more about being than technique. It's about your life, rather than how you put words together (as in adoration, confession, supplication etc. - there's less than one page here on the components of verbal praying).

And how you live authentically depends on your embracing emptiness, vulnerability, nonsuccess, descent-rather-than-ascent, letting-go rather than acquiring (`affluenza').

It's best to read this book slowly: the text is broken up into small 2-3 page chunks.

Richard Rohr is, in my view, `on target' as a modern prophet: you'll find many more of his articles (including a summary of this book) on this website: [...] . I've been privileged to have attended many of his conferences, and a retreat for men in Arizona a couple of years ago.

Herfe are some quotes from Everything Belongs to whet your appetite:

`Things fall apart; the center cannot hold.../ The best lack all conviction, while the worst / Are full of passionate intensity' (W B Yeats).

The two great paths of transformation are suffering (which gets our attention) and love and prayer (to get to our heart and passion).

In God's reign `everything belongs' - even that which is broken and poor (`the poor and uneducated may love God more than the theologian or ecclesiastic' - St. Bonaventura).

With Julian of Norwich, we move beyond either-or thinking; we live with paradox, unanswered questions, inner contradictions: `First there is the Fall, and then the recovery from the Fall... Both are the mercy of God.' `The crucifixion was the worst event in human history and God made the best out of it to take away all of our excuses.'

The `Christ' of the insecure tends to be tribal - `just like them'. Centred people, however, are profoundly conservative, knowing they stand on the shoulders of their ancestors. Their security and identity are founded in God. Living out of their true self they are always free to obey - but also free to disobey Church or State, to obey who-they-are in God (eg. Paul, Thomas a Becket, Joan of Arc, Thomas Merton, Dorothy Day).

The problem of all of Carl Jung's patients in the second half of life might have been solved by contact with `the numinous' (God).

Rowland Croucher

This did not match the condition description that said, "Used: 'Very Good' - Pages are clean with no markings." I would have been ok with this book if the previous owner didn't make notes all the way through it.

This is a book not only about contemplative prayer but also about cultivating a spiritual life. Although geared towards Christians, it carries a truly universal message. I did not know the author before reading this book but I do not doubt that he is a spiritually mature and intelligent person. Who would have known a modern day Catholic priest could be so close to God? Every sentence in this slim book is like a jewel of wisdom, every chapter a refreshing glass of water. If you are not closed minded (either as a fundamentalist Christian or as an Atheist) and are able to hear spiritual truths, you will enjoy this book in your life. One of the rare books to be read more than once, and probably more than twice.

According to the publisher, Rohr wrote this book to "help us pray better and see life differently." I emphasize the second part, seeing life differently. As a personal coach I know that people don't change by ignoring or trying to overcome their limiting beliefs and perspectives. The most fundamental and significant changes occur when we witness ourselves as we are and without judgment. Rohr brilliantly balances Christian and Buddhist philosophy and practice to illustrate that contemplative prayer is not about being Christian -- it is about becoming whole. "The small calculating mind," he writes, "wants either/or, win/lose, good or bad... We do not think outselves into new ways of living. We live ourselves into new ways of thinking." When we let go of the stories that have defined us and become living witnesses to ourselves as we show up every day, we return to the sacred, to our most essential and least programmed essence. This happens through contemplative prayer, through meditation, and through everyday mindfulness. This is true of any spiritual journey, and not just for Christians.

Fr Richard Rohr has written double Gold here. This is a treatis that I will read over and over. Not just page by page, but rather like a reference book that makes me think about God's ability to reveal Himself in everything and yet hide Himself so that the seeker has to purpose to see Him. I just wish the Fr Richard would allow his work to be in the Kinidle library. You Go, the store!!

My husband and I both really enjoyed this book. I found myself saying "Yes, that's so true!" many times as I was reading. I find Fr. Rohr very wise, with a down to earth style that is easy for me to relate to. I've read several of his other books, but this is my favorite.

Having just finished this book, the first I've read by Richard Rohr, I have to say that I'm awe-struck. It will take some time for me to reflect on and process what I've read. Note that this isn't a guide on the "how-to's" of comtemplation but, rather, how to live contemplatively. It may challenge you (including your ideas of social justice) and, in the process, help you grow spriritually. If you are open-minded to new perspectives and have an inclusive world view, you may well enjoy it. I highly recommend it, and will definitely read it a second time.

Growing up in a fundamental Christian home and attending a conservative church,I was at first hesitant to read such a "out there" book by a catholic none the less. But it being recommended to me by my counselor as the middle road between the eastern way and the western, I was intrigued. I was so refreshed and renewed in my walk with Jesus to see Him as one who loves all and wants to be reconciled to all, no judgements. The Eastern way of looking at life used to frighten me but after this book, I feel more open minded and walking down the road God wants me on. I have such a new appreciation for the Catholic religion and their view of who God is. I reccommend this book to any who are searching for more of who God is.

There is a three-stage metaphor I like that describes the process of spiritual transformation in terms of paint on a wall. In the first stage we recognize that the old paint is worn and no longer adequate. In the next (and likely long) stage we scrape the old paint off the wall. This part can be hard work and subject us to all sorts of toxicities. Finally we apply the new paint and are not only changed forever, but truly live for the benefit of all (which is often not the case if one still has old paint underneath the new).

Like the majority of spiritual books available today, Father Rohr says a lot about the first and the third stages, but virtually nothing about the second. This is unfortunate and likely the result of his engagement with Zen. The down side of Zen, given its mistrust of language, is the implication that transformation is nothing more than a change of perspective. That if we simply "see" the wall with clarity we will see that the new paint is already there. For the vast majority of spiritual seekers, this sort of teaching (you are already enlightened, you just don't realize it) will leave them stuck with the old paint for the rest of their lives. As the saying goes, "grace favors those who have done the work" (e.g., Jesus' parable about sowing seeds on fertile vs. unfertile ground).

If Father Rohr's book left you wanting, try Keating's books on contemplative prayer, especially where he talks about divine therapy. If you're interested in the Buddhist perspective, try books on Vipassana (Insight) meditation, which is all about how to scrape the paint off the wall so the new paint will actually stick.

Richard Rohr never leaves you feeling comfortable, and this book continues his prophetic posture. Christianity for Fr. Rohr is a personal committment to the cross, nothing less. His own brush with death,his faith, and age bring him wisdom which is worth contemplating. He leaves me desiring to know more about the Third Way. His best work yet, in my opinion.

As a Catholic Priest, I have always found Father Richard to be on sound bases; neither going right too far or left too far. I believe he is where the Spirit wants him in this book.
He teaches us through this book that we can always begin each day a new; looking and seeing differently; listening with the listening ear; and seeing with the seeing eye.
I highly recommend this book to all - high school seniors, college students, parents, above all, to priest who have be lack in their own adult education.
It is a book to have on your shelf when doubts about yourself,your faith and church come into conflict. It is a book that is an excellent tool to increase one's spiritual growth in union with God.
Father Joseph

I truly believe the title of the book Everything Belongs is the ultimate invitation for every christian. The title is the basis of the mystical union that I truly believe the Lord tried to teach us and the Gospel writers, esp John, and the Book of Revelation, by John of Patmos, proclaimed. They are proclaiming that we are Mystical Beings presently in human form.

In a lifetime of reading and contemplation, I have yet to find a book which leads one on so many paths, all of which are headed toward forming a relationship with God.
I often find that a paragraph may be all that I can read at one time, for it may start me on another unending journey.
I am sure that it is a cliche to suggest that a book is "full of insight." This book, however, is full of material that will drag insight from your soul, though perhaps only at the rate of a few pages each day.

Everything Belongs was a wonderful book. If you are on a spiritual path especially, I would say this book is essential. Going beyond altruism, kindness, compassion, sweetness, tenderness, beauty, and love, this book touches upon something fundamental that is hard to put in words. If you have ever wondered about your judgmental nature, this is a book for you.

This is a gritty, reality-checking book, the kind you can open to any page and find there a reading to guide your day's contemplation. Richard Rohr combines his Roman Catholicism (RC) with Buddhist sensibilities in this great set of readings for those with meditation and/or comtemplation practices. Though not RC myself, I am opening this book several times a week and I am recommending it to friends.