Rating: 
Summary: Good--But __The Broken Lantern__Is Better
Review: After reading _The Broken Lantern_, I was eager to read this book as well. It offers some valuable insights, and I think Rolheiser's discussion of the need to accept what might be called "the tension of the unresolved" in human experience is especially beneficial. However, when Rolheiser tries to apply this idea to human sexuality, it doesn't quite ring true--and borders on the prudish. Rolheiser spends a great deal of time in this book talking about sex, so I feel the need to respond to this issue more directly. While I would never question an individual call to celebicy, I cannot see (unless such a special call has been placed upon your life) that a valiant fight to resist the sexual urge and live with the (I would think, extreme) tension this produces to be especially enobling to the average person. It almost seems a kind of spiritual arrogance and a denial of one's humanity. We are creatures of the earth. Why has this aspect of our earthiness been singled out by the church as an obstacle to spiritual growth? While casual sex, promiscuity, and sexual addiction are problematic, and sex is to be approached with a high degree of respect and accountability, it seems to me that sex should be regarded--not only as some unearthly yet physical attempt to achieve spiritual unity with another--but also as a very earthy physical outlet--a brief moment of release, if you will--for the inevitable tension that the spiritually mature person must accept in other areas of his or her life. Restricting our sexual choices to marriage or celibacy seems downright Puritanical to me. These rules might have made sense in an earlier time (perhaps they still make sense to the Catholic church, which for some odd reason bans birth control), but I think it is possible for a spiritually mature person to have a healthy sex life outside of marriage. And I see no especial spiritual benefit to setting out for the sun with our wax-sealed wings, for we shall only find ourselves firmly planted on the earth again (as the story of the priest's struggle with masturbation illustrates). To be human is to be sexual. If you wish to get in touch with your spirit, you must first embrace your humanity. On another note, Rolheiser's repeated use of the phrase "if this is true, and it is..." seems cute at first but becomes downright annoying by the end of the book. Criticisms aside, this book does have a lot to offer; and I benefitted greatly from reading it.
Rating: 
Summary: 'The Holy Longing'
Review: As I found this book to be quite liberal and "cafeterial Catholic" in presentation, I stopped reading it after page 94!!
Rating: 
Summary: At times a 5 at times a 1
Review: Fr. Rolheiser explains at the beginning of this book that he is anot about to answer profound questions, but in a simple manner describe spirituality from a Christian point of view. This is he does. Along the way he does raise profound issues, causing both argument and agreement. But at all times opportunities for reflection. His chapter on eccclesiology expresses the traditional Roman Catholic perspective that one ought to attend Mass on Sundays. He does not let off on anything personal: prayer, morality, or even relationship to God. But his reasoning and allegories cause one to reflect if staying away from Sunday Mass is really in one's best interest. Catholics used to be told that they had to do certain things because the hierarchy in the Church knew better. Rolheiser does not write in this manner. His arguments are simple and based in human experience. The chapter on sexuality reaches grandiose debate at times. One can sense his overreaching, especially when he tries to describe what sexuality is by numerous examples, such as a young man just having a drowning person. He is trying to demonstrate how sexuality is an integrated part of ourselves, apart from genital sexuality, which is sexual intercourse. He may actually reach vulnerable places for some readers, not this one. He writes of the meaning of incarnation in one's life. Prayer, in this regard, he writes, is made through Christ. In other words, one cannot pray for something if one is not already involved in bringing it about. He speaks of prayer as shared existence with others, thus he argues prayer cannot remain only private. The Paschal Mystery involves death, resurrection, a Forty Day grieving period, an ascension of letting go and a pentecost to be filled with the Spirit or the renewal of life. Rolheiser demonstrates how this works in our natural lives. This is the strongest chapter of the book as it is the most applicable. At times this book is infuriating, as Rolheiszer likes to write: if this is true, and it is. . . . At other times this book challenges one to reflect on how one is living and if perhaps changes might make one happier and closer to God.
Rating: 
Summary: A Healing Book
Review: Fr. Rolheiser is one of my favorite authors. This is one of my favorite books. I am so shocked at the poor reviews this book has received. Fr. Ron will enlighten your mind and take you places spiritually that are very healing and freeing. I was so trapped in my negative thoughts but Fr. Ron helps the reader to see their questions in a new light. It will bring the reader peace and understanding, freeing a person spiritually to love others and respond in new a better ways. This book and all of Fr. Ron's writings are exceptional. I've recommended the book to others who thank me over and over for recommending this book.
Rating:
Summary: Reconnecting with spirituality
Review: I am a former Christian and have been on a spiritual journey for some time. I have been looking for a way to redefine my faith, to recommit to at least some of the Christian tenets I rejected years ago. Nothing I read helped me; authors (including C.S. Lewis, among others) all seem to assume that their readers share their faith. But in Rolheiser's book his first line says it all: "This is a book for you if you are struggling spiritually." I was struggling before I read the book, and I still am, but Rolheiser has helped me understand what the struggle is about. This is a book that can be read with benefit by believers and nonbelievers alike.
Rating:
Summary: Spirituality for today
Review: I enjoy greatly reading this book. I think it has many new ideas of great wisdom and deepness. On the other hand, it is a veru practical guide for some one who sincerely wishes to be a better christian.
Rating:
Summary: Manuscript Errors Make a Difference
Review: The general excellence of this work is damaged by an uncommon number of textual errors, including garbled sentences, typos, and faulty diction, probably the result of careless word processing. End-note errors are more troubling. For example, T. S. Eliot's "Murder in the Cathedral" is referred to as "Beckett," and Kazantzakis's book is referred to as "The Last Temptation of Jesus"; in addition, the page references are inaccurate. Such errors are troubling and cast a shadow on the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Longing for the book to be over!
Review: This book is required reading for our High School religion class. I find the book to ramble on about the same thing for pages. The book has not helped my faith. Often I leave chapters feeling angry because I disagree with his opions. We are told the book is liberal...I hate to see conservative.
Rating:
Summary: Somewhat drab
Review: This book was praised and recommended by a clergy person. It's makes for pretty bland reading.
Rating:
Summary: Somewhat drab
Review: This book was praised and recommended by a clergy person. It's makes for pretty bland reading.
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