The Naked Now (Richard Rohr)
Good Basic Introduction to Christian Mysticism
[My 3-star Amazon review (NDA) of “The Naked Now; Learning to See as the Mystics See” by Richard Rohr.]
“The Naked Now” is the second Richard Rohr Book I’ve read, and it’s considerably better than the first, “Immortal Diamond” (which I gave two stars). The writing is better (actually good), and Rohr sticks to a theme he is knowledgable about (Presence) instead of struggling with one (the Self) he isn’t.
The “Naked Now” is a good basic introduction to Christian mysticism and the Perennial Philosophy, and would serve well those new to these subjects. It is a step up from “A Course in Miracles,” and will provide newbies with foundational knowledge about mystical life.
On the negative side, the book lacks depth and profundity. Rohr fails to detail and elaborate on the actual practice of presence, of living nakedly in the Now, and the book is bereft of an esoteric dimension. Those already familiar with the themes of presence and Now-ness will find no new ground in this book.
Like so many contemporary spiritual teachers, Rohr is a fan of Ken Wilber’s Integralism, and this is reflected in his discourse. If you’re not a fan of Wilber’s philosophy—and I’m not—you might, like me, find yourself at odds with some of Rohr’s sociopolitical points of view.
I’m an expert (and author) on Christian mysticism, and one particular statement of Rohr’s particularly irked me: “There is absolutely nothing you can do to earn or get the Holy Spirit.” In diametrical opposition to Rohr, I say there is absolutely something you can do to get the Holy Spirit. In fact, that is the central spiritual theme in my writings.
In summary, this is a worthwhile introductory text on Christian mysticism, but if you want to find out how to awaken to the Holy Spirit, channel its Power (or Light-energy), and awaken to your True (or Christ) Self, it’s not a helpful guide.
I have been a student, practitioner, and teacher of mysticism for forty years. I have practiced and taught Vipassana, Zen, Mahamudra, and Dzogchen meditation. I am also an expert in Raja Yoga, Advaita Vedanta, Kashmir Shaivism, Christian mysticism, Kabbalah, J. Krishnamurti’s teachings, Adi Da’s Daism, and Ayn Rand’s Objectivist Epistemology; and my ability to utterly penetrate and expertly integrate these Dharmas has enabled me to fully explicate and totally demystify the Christian Holy Trinity. And I say that Cynthia Bourgeault doesn’t have a clue regarding the Holy Trinity, that she peddles aureate Gurdjieffian gobbledygook rather than providing any real insight into the Holy Trinity.
[My 3-star Amazon review (NDA) of “The Naked Now; Learning to See as the Mystics See” by Richard Rohr.]
“The Naked Now” is the second Richard Rohr Book I’ve read, and it’s considerably better than the first, “Immortal Diamond” (which I gave two stars). The writing is better (actually good), and Rohr sticks to a theme he is knowledgable about (Presence) instead of struggling with one (the Self) he isn’t.
The “Naked Now” is a good basic introduction to Christian mysticism and the Perennial Philosophy, and would serve well those new to these subjects. It is a step up from “A Course in Miracles,” and will provide newbies with foundational knowledge about mystical life.
On the negative side, the book lacks depth and profundity. Rohr fails to detail and elaborate on the actual practice of presence, of living nakedly in the Now, and the book is bereft of an esoteric dimension. Those already familiar with the themes of presence and Now-ness will find no new ground in this book.
Like so many contemporary spiritual teachers, Rohr is a fan of Ken Wilber’s Integralism, and this is reflected in his discourse. If you’re not a fan of Wilber’s philosophy—and I’m not—you might, like me, find yourself at odds with some of Rohr’s sociopolitical points of view.
I’m an expert (and author) on Christian mysticism, and one particular statement of Rohr’s particularly irked me: “There is absolutely nothing you can do to earn or get the Holy Spirit.” In diametrical opposition to Rohr, I say there is absolutely something you can do to get the Holy Spirit. In fact, that is the central spiritual theme in my writings.
In summary, this is a worthwhile introductory text on Christian mysticism, but if you want to find out how to awaken to the Holy Spirit, channel its Power (or Light-energy), and awaken to your True (or Christ) Self, it’s not a helpful guide.
I have been a student, practitioner, and teacher of mysticism for forty years. I have practiced and taught Vipassana, Zen, Mahamudra, and Dzogchen meditation. I am also an expert in Raja Yoga, Advaita Vedanta, Kashmir Shaivism, Christian mysticism, Kabbalah, J. Krishnamurti’s teachings, Adi Da’s Daism, and Ayn Rand’s Objectivist Epistemology; and my ability to utterly penetrate and expertly integrate these Dharmas has enabled me to fully explicate and totally demystify the Christian Holy Trinity. And I say that Cynthia Bourgeault doesn’t have a clue regarding the Holy Trinity, that she peddles aureate Gurdjieffian gobbledygook rather than providing any real insight into the Holy Trinity.
