Dancing Standing Still: Healing the World from a Place of Prayer; A New Edition of A Lever and a Place to Stand

by Richard Rohr, James Martin SJ (Foreword)

Now in a new edition, this thought-provoking book by popular author Richard Rohr offers a critique of religion as a system that often creates an alternative, pious world without really challenging oppression, materialism, and sectarianism in our modern world. Religion, he says, without this contemplative stance, is often part of the problem. Drawing from Jesus’ parable of the rich man, Rohr believes that religion can only rediscover itself as a transformational system if it passes through the eye of a needle, if it overcomes its own temptation to power, wealth, and fundamentalism. A true contemplative stance crosses boundaries, is not concerned with who’s in and who’s out. It is not a worthiness competition. In fact, the accessibility of the contemplative awareness to all is, Rohr believes, the key to the Gospel The kingdom of heaven is hidden in plain sight. †

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Christian, Prayer, Religion, Theology, Christianity

112 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2014

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

[Ellery Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be my favorite of his books that I’ve read - an absolute must for anyone looking for a richer, fuller spiritual experience.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. It seems everyone wants to change the world, to do good and make the world better. But to do this, says Rohr, one must spend time in prayer and contemplation first. Only from a position of such introspection and connection to God can one be active in a life-giving way. Further, as we more deeply enter into the divine we better learn what it looks like to act. Our human disposition is to work for our team, to win for our side, to identify ourselves against the other. Rohr writes of a God who is beyond this, who wants the best for everybody. This is a book I will return to often, it is a helpful read for anyone who wants to work for the good in the world and who needs the strength to do so.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Addressed all the matters my heart and mind are currently facing and then some. I'm very grateful to have stumbled upon this little book — will definitely be reading again (and again)

[Alan Marr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a Richard Rohr fan but I admit that like most other prolific writers all his books begin to feel a bit the same after a while. This book is actually a revision of an earlier work and although there was not a lot that was new for me I found it helpful and challenging. I need to be challenged about my “contemplative” life.. This book serves as a very good introduction for people starting on that journey for the first time or the 101st time (like me).

[Sylvia Jeronimo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rare Rohr book you can actually understand. Fantastic analysis on the movement of your formation following the pattern of Tora, Prophets and Wisdom. Of note is the chapter on Creative Questioning and the impact of ‘oppositional energy’.

[Sharon Hardin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is almost 5 stars, it only lacked more! I am a new fan of Richrd Rohr and this is only the second book of his I've read, but I can guarantee there will be more. This is a book of few pages, but huge ideas and it fits where I am right now in my continuing spiritual formation.

[Kevin Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please read this book. I can faithfully say you will be changed.

This book may well be the most important book I have ever read, certainly the most meaningful and life-changing! If you feel a call to the contemplative path, you must read this book.

[Lindsey H Hulet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in trimester 1 of the Living School program (from Richard Rohr’s Center for Action and Contemplation). Very eye opening! A work I will reference again and again as I discern where my own place to stand is.

[Dr. Richard C. Nowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for those who are already exploring centering prayer and spiritual growth. I wouldn't recommend it, however, for a novice in this area. Very inspiring and provocative.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous; Richard Rohr does it again.
"The best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better."

[Agatha Glowacki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Rohr and this was a nice compilation of his major points.

[andrew mau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. Timely. True

I am impacted by the brilliance of a vision and words that challenge as well as give hope. Excellent read

[Agnese Ramata · Rating 3 out of 5]

Viegli lasās, ir vērtīgas atziņas, kas ir pāri visām reliģijām.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard Rohr uses this book to examine the challenges, advantages, and possibilities of managing the contemplative approach with the engaged and active lifestyle.

[Josie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars, rounding up. I love a Richard Rohr book.

[Patt LaPierre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond Merton

Fr.Rohr can be known to all a his true self experienced but in writings and his lectures .( I do not experience the power of his revelations unless he narrates his own works!) Long a great favorite and remains so is Thomas Merton. Father Rohr is a better teacher and withholding nothing is less selfish , more passionate than we grasp and experience the love and communion that is our divine inheritance.He is but he does not gloss over the pain of love or the tedium often plaguing meditation. Most unique and so helpful in our journey is his explanation that we learn more " by doing it wrong than by doing it right".So reassuring is that life involves " three steps forward and two steps back". And thank you , Father for sharing your experiences of pain and contradictions .This is no small l source of hope and gives credence that you have indeed know the path you encourage following through Christ.Final note , Fr. Rohr's works are not repetitive.They grow.

[Jennifer Stringer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book club choice. I really enjoyed it. I found myself agreeing with so much, and that doesn't often happen. I'll have to add his other books to my list. I think any spiritually minded person would find his writing very relate-able, requiring little translating from religious jargon.

[Kathryn Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now I will begin reading it again because it is so rich.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A journey of Spirit and contemplation...GREAT STUFF !

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic Rhor. A challenging book