The Naked Now: Learning to See Like as the Mystics See

The Naked Now: Learning to See as the Mystics See by Richard Rohr

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I enjoyed reading this book and found one of Rohr's concluding remarks to be a profound catalyst for reflection. On page 159, he states, "You will seek only what you have partially already discovered and seen within yourself as desirable. Spiritual cognition is invariably re-cognition." He also admits that we are all plagiarists (in regard to wisdom), learning everything from someone else. I have much to plagiarize from his pithy illustrations and descriptive explanations of duality, contemplation, and spirituality! I have highlighted, underlined, added post-it notes, and written comments throughout this book. It will be one I return to for inspirations with which to communicate the goals of contemplative mindfulness. Chapters 12, "Change Your Mind," and 15, "Opening the Door: Great Love and Great Suffering," were some of the most noted sections of my reading.



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Starting a New Chapter

It feels very strange not to be back in Nashville with my nose buried in a book! Vanderbilt Divinity School started back up this week, and I'm here in Greeneville. I'm very happy to be home with my wife and churches, but I can tell I'm going to miss the camaraderie and discipline of school! I hope to try and stay in the scholastic zone somewhat. I plan on studying the GRE and brushing up on my Latin in hope of entering a PhD program at UT in the fall of 2012. We'll see how it goes. I also am trying to write some every day, and I'm using an online journaling program at http://www.750words.com. I'm also am in a book reading club with two VDS grads that are here in East TN. Hopefully, all these factors can help me stay on the path to reach my academic goals!

One month down

Well, the first month of my last semester at VDS is in the books. I must say that this is probably my favorite semester of them all. Collaborative Preaching has offered some provocative readings that are making me think about the priesthood of all believers, the role of dialog, hospitality, strangers, and the fluidity of guests/hosts. I'm starting a blog for my congregations to begin experimenting with John McClure's roundtable pulpit methodology. I hope it will increase dialog in my churches and allow for some theological reflection. We'll see how it goes!