Becoming a Healing Presence

by Albert S. Rossi, Hopko Thomas (Foreword)

In order to become a healing presence for others, we must first be healed ourselves—through an active relationship with the great Healer, Christ. Drawing on the teachings of the Fathers and saints of the Church, Dr. Rossi gently points the way toward deepening our love for God and for each other so that others may experience Christ through us.

Genres: Christian, Spirituality, Religion, Christianity, Nonfiction, Faith, Church

164 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 25, 2015

Reviews

[Stephen Rosenboom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Becoming a Healing Presence was recommended to me by someone who actively follows the advice given in this book, so I had to read it. I especially loved the chapters on gentleness and on suffering and death. The book is a collection of anecdotes that make the author’s points and advice feel very practical. The central premise is that we must first open ourselves to healing, and then become conduits of healing in our relationships with others. There are many gems throughout the book, and it offers a great lesson in how small acts of kindness, empathy, and co-suffering can make you a healing presence.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s weird reading a book so “normie” after seeing orthodoxy as so ancient and transcendent. Yet this little book has made an impact on my day-to-day life in very simple yet profound ways. It does a good job of not allowing eternal wisdom to be cornered by new-age self-help BS, and backs it up with the teachings of the ancient Church Fathers. Good lil bookie.

[Liza Nahas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an easy to read blend of spiritual and Orthodox Christian teachings that will allow one to grow as a person and a Christian. Rossi gives some simple and practical things one can do each day to truly be a healing and loving presence to others.

[Eduardo Valentin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rossi has written a spiritual gem that will hopefully stand the test of time and find its way onto the shelves of more clergy. In this slim volume Rossi is able to do what so many other Christian writers, Orthodox or otherwise, have failed to do: be human. Rossi masterfully weaves his experience and understanding of human psychology into insights gleaned from the Fathers putting into modern words what is the perennial wisdom of the Orthodox tradition. Ultimately this is a book of finding the kingdom within as the key to unlocking the Spirit of peace to be a presence of healing to all around you. Contemplation is the first step to becoming peaceful yourself. The message is clear: if you do not know yourself you cannot be at peace with yourself and you cannot bring peace to others. You cannot give what you do not have.

[Kevin Godinho · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredibly edifying book. The author walks the reader through practicing stillness (practicing the presence of God and how to be in the moment) while overlaying each chapter with great insights and wisdom from years as a psychologist and Christian man. The book is filled with moments of his life and lessons learned, all interpreted from an Orthodox Christian perspective. He doesn't pull any punches, conveying hard truths very gracefully. His chapter on death is especially good.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me this book really came alive when I had the opportunity to hear the author speak. There’s a lot of practical advice but in the book it’s a little unclear how it all fits together. I also found the title a bit misleading, although it is explained on the very last page. If you read it, try listening to the podcast of the same name too.

[Ramez Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

In order to become a healing presence to others, one must first look to God for their own healing. A beautiful book on living in the present moment where the present and eternity meet. Definitely going to have to read this again!

[Julia Parsenios · Rating 3 out of 5]

more so 3.5!!

[Saint Katherine BookstoreVA]

We frequently hear that the aims of the Orthodox Church are akin to the medical professions: we come to be healed and made whole. There is no higher truth, but do we hear it so often that the meaning has dulled for us and its impact diminished? We can reconnect with the healing in Christ and His Church through Dr. Rossi.
Rossi is the licensed clinical psychologist in residency at St. Vladimir’s Seminary and since 2011 has hosted a podcast on Ancient Faith Radio that shares the book’s name. He has truly embraced Christ as the Great Physician and his advice flows from that.

“Becoming a healing presence” is a code phrase for loving others as best we can. It is code for actively listening to others, intuiting their needs, and serving them in whatever way we can. We become a healing presence because Christ is the healing presence through us. He is “all in all” through us to others. We can't give what we don't have. We can't give Christ’s healing presence to others if we are not intimate with him ourselves. We grow in intimacy with him through stillness and prayer. (150)

This book is frankly a rather unstructured meander through Dr. Rossi’s heart. He shares the lessons of his life in Christ, in his practice, in the seminary, and in his family in an open and reflective way. His insights are very human and of a depth not apparent at first. Rossi is the wise teacher or perhaps the family’s general practitioner of decades past. It’s clear that he is familiar with theology and the Church Fathers, but he offers up their insights with a fresh face.

The present moment is quietly explosive, combustible with the very presence of God. Our task is to be faithful to the present moment - that is, to have an unconditional interest in it. Interestingly, we can be a healing presence only in the present moment. There is no other place to go. This requires focused attentiveness to the present moment and the person in front of us. (110)

Rossi offers gentle advice on inner stillness and expansion of the heart through the Jesus Prayer. He speaks about looking at one’s life in terms of vocation, in this case the vocation of healer. He explores gentleness with others and surrender in service to them, or “living for others.” Encountering God within and without requires us to embrace the present moment in all its God-given fullness. He finishes with a discussion of suffering, death, and the frequent tensions and lack of clarity that we encounter in the world.
All in all, a gentle book from a true Christian gentleman.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was gifted to me by my very best childhood friend. I’m not a Christian (to date) so my review hinges on that. I loved the style and format of this book. The references and footnotes lead one down another path of tons of reading and contemplation. Even as a non-religious person, much can be extrapolated. There were a few segments in the middle that I’ve marked to re-read as (despite reading a couple of times) they just didn’t either make sense or seem to make the impact I’m sure they were intended to do. I see myself using this as a refresher or reference for time to come. I am glad that this was quite an accessible book. Sure, it is Orthodox, but one can take quite a bit from this in any way. This arrived as a surprise gift and, of course, it arrived during a time I most needed to pick it up.

[Katherine Elease · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is filled with wisdom and practical steps towards becoming a Christian who is dedicated to sharing God’s Grace with others. Dr. Rossi does an excellent job of combining scripture, quotes from the church Fathers, and anecdotes from his life to explain the concepts in this book in a way that is full of grace and truth. This book has been challenging and life changing. I will definitely add this to my “Re-Read” list.

[Kait · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unbeknownst to me, Albert S. Rossi attended a seminary under the same diocese as my parish. His authentic and heartfelt words gave me new tools to gently place in my toolbox when it comes to helping loved ones. I am grateful to have been gifted this book, because I certainly come out on the other side with a different outlook on what other people are going through, and more confidence on being there for those who are faced with difficult times.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fine, but I was expecting more practical information related to becoming a healing presence. This is more of a general book on how to live life as an Orthodox, especially the interior life. I didn't feel like anything in particular really stands out in my mind; it's kind of an all-purpose Orthodox worldview type book in my mind.

[Marina Nicolas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kind of book you find a great friend in. A friend you want to keep around and a friend you can't stop listening to. Words can't do this book justice. A humbling and profound book, simply put and deeply felt, this book is a great motivator to take steps towards the greatest Healer of all.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a very good and helpful book that I would like to return to, because I'm sure there's more to be gleaned. Unfortunately, the narrator's speech was halting, as if he was reading each line on the page as a single sentence, with pauses and emphases in the wrong places.

[Jasmine 🦷 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully written book. Rossi shares powerful moments in his life that emulate how to become a healing presence to yourself and those around you. The book reads more like a daily devotional rather than a novel.

[Corinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small book, but full of powerful thoughts.

[Laura N · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were some good nuggets in here, but the path of the book was all over the place. It was good, but not well put together

[Archafka · Rating 5 out of 5]

A healing book

Insightful and simple. This book peels back the layers of passions and son to reveal a healing potential. High appraise.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A. I know that I don't know.
B. I know that Christ knows.
C. I trust Him.
---pg 139

[Mariam · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
Good book! Some beautiful analogies. Rather repetitive at times though. Would recommend otherwise!

[Robert Heckner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful, gentle, intelligent, insightful, and practical book. I am glad that I waited to finish it until now as it was a very meaningful experience to read it right now.

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent presented in a very accessible manner. A Must read.

[Matthew Rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

This books came highly recommend, but the audio experience wasn't very good so I'm going to come back to it (my wife has a physical copy) later.

[Navel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Rossi provides practical advice on how to look within our own broken selves and become the light Christ calls us to be in the world around us.

[Tyler Guenette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read and a good reminder to pray without ceasing and humbly put Christ as your ultimate vocation.

[Jules (Wooldridge) Gjesvold · Rating 5 out of 5]

For such an easy read, this book surprised me with its depth. A gently confrontation of death to self and the necessity of loving Christ first so that He can love others through us. The last two chapters (about being present and about suffering) have stuck with me the most. Beautiful little book about how to be healed and to heal those around you.

[Anna Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. Feel very inspired and also called out.

[David Youssef · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ya know, don't feel like a healing presence, but it did let me know that I rely on music as a crutch far too often. Sam has great taste over facetime

[Debbi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted this book to be so much more, but it ended up falling a bit flat. Certainly, there were good things to ponder about the subject. I think what made it not quite what I had hoped were the examples he used... they fell flat, took up a lot of space, and didn't seem to hit home. He would make some good points and use stories to bring it home, Unfortunately, they often seemed to detract from his point rather than enhance it. For example, his anecdote for "Being gentle does not exclude being firm." Yes, I completely agree. I can think of many examples of how to be firm but gentle. His was a story about Mother Teresa after she broke down in NYC on her way to speak at the UN. She told the driver that they should just get out, leave the car, and hail a ride. The driver balked, but she did it anyway and made it to the UN on time. ???? Okay, nice anecdote, but I'm not sure it really brings home that being gentle and being firm are not mutually exclusive.

One positive from the book is that I found some good books to read from his bibliography.