The Naked Now: Learning to See as the Mystics See

By Richard Rohr

For Christians seeking a way of thinking outside of strict dualities, this guide explores methods for letting go of division and living in the present. Drawn from the Gospels, Jesus, Paul, and the great Christian contemplatives, this examination reveals how many of the hidden truths of Christianity have been misunderstood or lost and how to read them with the eyes of the mystics rather than interpreting them through rational thought. Filled with sayings, stories, quotations, and appeals to the heart, specific methods for identifying dualistic thinking are presented with simple practices for stripping away ego and the fear of dwelling in the present.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Crossroad Publishing Company
• Release date: Sep 1, 2009
• ISBN: 9780824520618

Richard Rohr

Fr. Richard Rohr is a globally recognized ecumenical teacher bearing witness to the universal awakening within Christian mysticism and the Perennial Tradition. He is a Franciscan priest of the New Mexico Province and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Fr. Richard's teaching is grounded in the Franciscan alternative orthodoxy—practices of contemplation and lived kenosis (self-emptying), expressing itself in radical compassion, particularly for the socially marginalized. Fr. Richard is the author of numerous books, including Everything Belongs, Adam’s Return, The Naked Now, Breathing Under Water, Falling Upward, Immortal Diamond, and Eager to Love: The Alternative Way of Francis of Assisi. Fr. Richard is academic Dean of the Living School for Action and Contemplation. Drawing upon Christianity's place within the Perennial Tradition, the mission of the Living School is to produce compassionate and powerfully learned individuals who will work for positive change in the world based on awareness of our common union with God and all beings. Visit cac.org for more information.

Reviews for The Naked Now

[debnance_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I’ve had this book recommended to me for years, and when I got a gift card for Mother’s Day, I finally plunged in and bought it. So glad I did.The author is a Catholic priest and he’s had time to reflect on what religion should bring to us and what it isn’t bringing to us. And since religion isn’t doing its job, Rohr has decided to help out and share some real secrets we are missing out on. Shall I share one? I think I shall.Jesus is telling us these secrets in every word he speaks, but we are too caught up in our dualistic thinking to understand what he is telling us. To get to Jesus, to experience God, we have to let go of our scientific yes-no, black-white thoughts and be in the naked now.Sounds easy, right? Rohr would beg to differ. It’s the hardest thing you will ever do.I better get busy, then. Off to live in the naked now. Let’s see if I can try to put Rohr’s secrets to work.

[remikit · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is like the cover blurb says, "it is like a breath of fresh air." Somehow, he manages to answer questions about how to be human, love others and still live in this world with its imperfections and paradoxes in under 200 pages. Coolness. Way cool. Buy this book.