True Self/False Self

by Richard Rohr

Franciscan priest Richard Rohr, feels that there is no more challenging spiritual issue than the “problem of the self." Most of contemporary spiritual teaching, he believes, is still trying to inspire and fortify the private self, the autonomous "I." Even much church work is trying to evangelize and sacramentalize what many would call "the false self." Basic transformation is not expected, but merely a new set of beliefs and practices or loyal membership in a new group. This only confirms the disguise of the ego, but does not truly offer a "new creation." Both the individual and society remain largely unchanged.

Rohr suggests that until the false assumptions of Western individualism are clearly faced and experienced by religious believers (and they are the only ones fully prepared to face it), there will be no real breakthroughs for Christianity or any religion. He makes reference to the work of Ken Wilbur, Thomas Merton, Eckhart Tolle, the mystical tradition especially of Julian of Norwich, and the new paradigms offered by quantum physics. In a presentation that embraces the challenge, inspiration, and the genuine hope that is offered by the Gospel of Jesus, Richard illustrates the implications of transformation both for individuals and for society at large.

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Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Religion, Christianity, Self Help, Audiobook, Psychology

Audio CD

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

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 expressing itself in radical compassion, particularly for the socially marginalized.

Fr. Richard is author of numerous books, including Everything Belongs, Adam’s Return, The Naked Now, Breathing Under Water, Falling Upward, Immortal Diamond, Eager to Love, and The Divine Dance: The Trinity and Your Transformation (with Mike Morrell).

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

[Gabrielle Engle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful resource on the two halves of life (1-30 : 30- x). Rohr challenges readers to focus simply on the here and now. Presence, then, is the greatest spiritual challenge and most rewarding discipline we can practice.

Then there was this quote:

There is some days I could be bought off by a sardine - Teresea of Avilla

True Teresea. True.

[amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forget entirely about whether or not you agree on all points. What he’s getting at here is so, so needed.

4.5 stars.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goes deeper into the topic of ego and all the Merton stuff than Falling Upward did. Highly recommend both together.

[Kristijan Kosutic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really positive lecture with great ideas about how religion should be interpreted. It almost feels like a Christian take on Tao Te Ching and Zen Buddhism ideas. Definitely has interesting points and would recommend to anyone who is interested in slightly non orthodox interpretation of Christianity. Definitely would be interesting if it would be taken even further - e.g mixing in some more progressive Teilhard De Chardin ideas (It does follow the pattern where modern science is added in the mix). Without spoiling anything, one thing that surprised me a bit was references to Eckhart Tolle, but only in context of middle eastern / Zen Buddhist ideas about living in the now.

[Emilyn Umbrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic listen. Six lectures that will open understanding of the self and give a better view of how often the false self gets in the way of the divine self in each of us. If you want a glimpse of the bigger picture at play, if you want a refreshing way to live your religion so it becomes a means of transformation, then you will love listening to Richard Rohr. I loved his easy candor, his humble and humorous acceptance of his own false self, and his hope-filled view of life that can be lived in awareness and presence of the divine.

[Katherine Petersen]

I truly cannot give this book a rating. On the one hand, Falling Upward was one of the most helpful books I have ever read. It was a life raft when I felt like I was doing and this contained a lot of the same wisdom. I really admire Richard Rohr and think he has a good heart and intentions. Many religious people would really enjoy this book and benefit.

On the other hand, it didn't resonate with me at this time and place in my life and I had a hard time finishing it. Some of the things he said made me cringe. In the end...🤷🏻‍♀️

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard Rohr always makes sense to me, this book is no different. To understand the self as to how God wants us to see us. We can not truly have control of our lives without the knowledge of why we are here, to begin with. The false self creates a person who wishes to be better than others, be at the top without knowing what happens once we are up there. He tells us the importance of softening our hearts so we can see Him.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard Rohr brings out the real point of religious spiritual practices, embracing all cultural faiths, pointing to how Jesus spoke out against religious practices that control people rather than making them whole. In a series of recorded lectures with later Q&A, I found this a great listening book.

[karchiwey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!. Was a six session talk he gave somewhere around 2000. He referred to 9/11 as well as the publishing of Eckhart Tolle the power of now book. He talked a lot about Thomas Merton’s true self versus false self teaching. can’t recommend these talks enough. Very helpful in your spiritual journey.

[Caroline Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

how am I just finding this?? binged it in a day. Will binge it every day this week. Will probably try to memorize it. The clearest articulation of (what I think is) the Christian worldview I’ve found to date. Half of it was like “yes! Finally someone articulating how I feel!” And the other half was like “ohhhh that’s the process to get to how I want to feel.” Will be coming back here a lot.

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give it 10 stars I would. Every time I decide to have an existential crisis I’ll re-listen to this book. Truly one of the best for those wondering why they feel like something is always missing no matter how much you do, accomplish etc.

[Theresa T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard Rohr is an exemplary catholic thinking, feeler and scholar. I love this man and he has revitalised my enjoyment of catholic readings and thinking. Recommend to anyone raised Catholic as a portal to better understand the truth sometimes concealed in our teachings.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite teachers...

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just beautiful... So much wisdom and so much to contemplate.

[Con · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard Rohr, Jesuit priest who some believe is a heretic, opens doors to love in a way that awakens. I will read this book again and again...such a gift!

[Cheryl T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is the truth

[Jackie St Hilaire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Important insights on how to let go of the ego and live your true self.
Liberating.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not specifically new material, but I like Richard's way of putting things together.
And he's so "human", so I don't feel like he's talking down to me.
Probably one of these that I will revisit

[Becky Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good follow up to Falling Upward.

[db · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to live a big life instead of a little life. Live in love.

[Annie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you don’t figure out how to transform your pain, you’ll transmit it.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard pulls no punches. He can be negative at times and unrelenting, but for me, it's stuff I need to hear.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of Richard Rohr, and this book is just one more reason why.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was great

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much to think about; definitely worth revisiting in a year to see what has changed in my thinking/life.

[Fabienne B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genial !!! Absolut liesenswert 👍🏻

[Simona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard Rohr continue to challenge my thinking about spirituality, religion and puts life and soul in a perspective of unconditional love saying that we becone the God we are connected with.!

[Annie Dennee · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, so good. Rohr is humble while dropping enlightenment bombs on me every five minutes.

[Deana · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75-5/5: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: Fr. Richard Rohr hits another one out of the park. I deeply valued this audiobook and feel like I got to attend a lecture series with him. There’s such comfort and challenge in his voice and both are needed in these times.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Franciscan Richard Rohr opens up the ways in which so much energy goes into propping up the false self, that even religion can become less about transformation and more about burnishing the false image. Rohr describes how one can, through living in the now and in practices of silence, get in touch with the true self which knows God and is known fully by God. Rohr adds findings in neuroscience to his spirituality in discussing stages of brain development from birth to roughly age 15, which I found particularly interesting.