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Coming Home to Your True Self: Leaving the Emptiness of False Attractions
"God is at home. It is we who have gone out for a walk." --Meister Eckhart
InComing Home to Your True Self, Albert Haase invites you to return home--and shows you the way to get there. "Home," he writes, "is the sacrament of the present moment. It is only living right now, right here, that we discover our lives and this world awash in the grace of God." Using the story of the prodigal son to illustrate the far country of our false self and the way back home to our true self in Christ, Haase introduces us to the spiritual disciplines that can help us find the path home to the Father. Rich with insights from Haase's experience as a spiritual director, this is a book for the weary, the lost, the regretful and guilty--essentially, a book for us all. No matter how long you've walked, God is still home.
InComing Home to Your True Self, Albert Haase invites you to return home--and shows you the way to get there. "Home," he writes, "is the sacrament of the present moment. It is only living right now, right here, that we discover our lives and this world awash in the grace of God." Using the story of the prodigal son to illustrate the far country of our false self and the way back home to our true self in Christ, Haase introduces us to the spiritual disciplines that can help us find the path home to the Father. Rich with insights from Haase's experience as a spiritual director, this is a book for the weary, the lost, the regretful and guilty--essentially, a book for us all. No matter how long you've walked, God is still home.
180 pages, Paperback
First published June 30, 2008
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144 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 20, 2011
Very good read to help you remember exactly what the false self is and how to stay away from it. Gives good methods on how to be aware of God in the here and now.
February 4, 2024
Solid insights and guidance. Very worthwhile.
February 14, 2023
This book was recommended to me several years ago by a trusted friend and I have just now had the opportunity to read it. It’s a simple explanation of our journey from the attractions of the false self into the identity of the true self designed by God to be the unique identity we have in Christ; our gift to Him and to each other
March 16, 2009
Summary
Albert Hasse, lays out the spiritual life as coming home. He describes God as being at home and we returning to find him in the present moment. Using the imagery of the parable of the prodigal son, Hasse describes our need to leave the pigpen of our false self and come to the place of our true self.
Believe
Hasse quotes greats such as Meister Eckhart and St. John of the Cross. He builds his argument on the finding of God in the present moment where God communes with the imago dei in the true self. Meister Eckhart’s quote is central, “God is at home. It is we who have gone out on a walk.” If this is true then it follows that our work is to turn away from those tings that draw us to wander away from home and return to our house. Hasse calls these attention-drawing things the empty P’s according to his alliterative ordering.
Doubt
Hasse’s focus on the present moment can leave us unbalanced with reference to the future. At it’s worst we can spend the present moment lost in the false self, unconscious of the consequences of our actions. At it’s best such and imbalance fails to recognize the power of time to bring change. With out time change could not occur. The proper corrective to an unbalanced focus on the present moment is Hasse’s reference to the cyclical journey of awakening, illumination, purgation and union. One can also take issue with the true/false-self dichotomy as with out basis in scripture. However I find it does a good job in recognizing the imago dei is still within the midst of fallen humanity.
Synthesis
While I have had my fill of alliteration (after Kellemen) Hasse makes good sense in his empty P’s and escape from the pig pen. I found myself of thinking of Innocent Smith as I read about living with disciplined focus in the present moment with awe and wonder. The material is easy to balance and integrate into my spiritual journey.
Application
This book is rich with material, I can see myself returning to it as I teach my congregation about the spiritual life. The things that grab my attention right now are a couple practices Hasse mentions. One is the use of a word with little meat on it to return our attention to the presence of God. I found my mind immediately drawn to the word “stone.” Perhaps it is because of the stone’s lack of meat, or because I see it sitting at the side of the door to my home. I imagine it like some teleporter, that all I have to do is think about it and I am back at my door, ready to engage God in the present moment. The other thing that was very timely was Hasse’s treatment of lent (pp 96-110). His description of a feng shui reestablishing and preserving of relationships gave penance a needed focus to me.
Albert Hasse, lays out the spiritual life as coming home. He describes God as being at home and we returning to find him in the present moment. Using the imagery of the parable of the prodigal son, Hasse describes our need to leave the pigpen of our false self and come to the place of our true self.
Believe
Hasse quotes greats such as Meister Eckhart and St. John of the Cross. He builds his argument on the finding of God in the present moment where God communes with the imago dei in the true self. Meister Eckhart’s quote is central, “God is at home. It is we who have gone out on a walk.” If this is true then it follows that our work is to turn away from those tings that draw us to wander away from home and return to our house. Hasse calls these attention-drawing things the empty P’s according to his alliterative ordering.
Doubt
Hasse’s focus on the present moment can leave us unbalanced with reference to the future. At it’s worst we can spend the present moment lost in the false self, unconscious of the consequences of our actions. At it’s best such and imbalance fails to recognize the power of time to bring change. With out time change could not occur. The proper corrective to an unbalanced focus on the present moment is Hasse’s reference to the cyclical journey of awakening, illumination, purgation and union. One can also take issue with the true/false-self dichotomy as with out basis in scripture. However I find it does a good job in recognizing the imago dei is still within the midst of fallen humanity.
Synthesis
While I have had my fill of alliteration (after Kellemen) Hasse makes good sense in his empty P’s and escape from the pig pen. I found myself of thinking of Innocent Smith as I read about living with disciplined focus in the present moment with awe and wonder. The material is easy to balance and integrate into my spiritual journey.
Application
This book is rich with material, I can see myself returning to it as I teach my congregation about the spiritual life. The things that grab my attention right now are a couple practices Hasse mentions. One is the use of a word with little meat on it to return our attention to the presence of God. I found my mind immediately drawn to the word “stone.” Perhaps it is because of the stone’s lack of meat, or because I see it sitting at the side of the door to my home. I imagine it like some teleporter, that all I have to do is think about it and I am back at my door, ready to engage God in the present moment. The other thing that was very timely was Hasse’s treatment of lent (pp 96-110). His description of a feng shui reestablishing and preserving of relationships gave penance a needed focus to me.
November 13, 2021
"How do we know if the true self is emerging? What are the characteristics of a person who is 'at home' with God? What fruits are found in the life of someone who is aware of and celebrates the common union with God? Though the list is far from exhaustive, there are ten traits of people who have come home to the present moment where God intends them to be: relational, self-giving, unflappable and unthreatened, focused on the here and now, contemplative approach to life, wonder and awe, trustful surrender, compassionate, awareness of being a spoke in the larger wheel of creation, passion for peace and justice."
August 2, 2019
Insightful, penetrating at times, provocative, comforting, helpful, inspiring... all rolled into one. I haven't taken it all in but made notes for further reflection. Some of Haase's reflections I did not click with I think, since I am not that familiar with Catholic tradition. Nevertheless, this was a really valuable book to read and to reflect on (which will be ongoing)
January 9, 2022
This is a good introductory book to the False/True self. It gives a broad overview of not only the concept but also practical manners to raise self-awareness and taking next steps.
This work flows from a seminar the author created on the same subject. That seems evident the structure and flow. The author likes to give lists (usually with alliteration to the letter “P”) and then follows those lists with a breakdown of each bullet topic.
Also give good introductory explanation of Spiritual Direction and how to find a Spiritual Director.
Reflection questions at the end of each chapter.
Good appendix at the back giving a summary of the entire book.
Would not recommend this book to someone who is more versed in the concepts of False/True self (see J. Finley).
This work flows from a seminar the author created on the same subject. That seems evident the structure and flow. The author likes to give lists (usually with alliteration to the letter “P”) and then follows those lists with a breakdown of each bullet topic.
Also give good introductory explanation of Spiritual Direction and how to find a Spiritual Director.
Reflection questions at the end of each chapter.
Good appendix at the back giving a summary of the entire book.
Would not recommend this book to someone who is more versed in the concepts of False/True self (see J. Finley).
October 6, 2017
The title can be misleading. This book is about Christian Spirituality (mindfullness, meditation, mysticism, living out our prayer) and how every one of us can experience it. A quote from the Foreward gives a good description, "In this book we have a resource for Chrisitan spirituality that effectively taps the wealth of the Christian spiritual traditionin a way that makes it accessible to contemporary readers."
This book is an excellent guide to finding yourself home in God and living in the present in the Presence of God as the author says. The author also uses the phrase that our life should be focused on Thee (God) and thee (neighbors) instead of "me".
Fabulous and easy read.
This book is an excellent guide to finding yourself home in God and living in the present in the Presence of God as the author says. The author also uses the phrase that our life should be focused on Thee (God) and thee (neighbors) instead of "me".
Fabulous and easy read.
September 7, 2018
I started this book in a dark place and it didn’t do me any good. Fast forward to the next week when I was receptive to what I was reading. Definitely in the right place in my life to read this. Y’all I do not write in books, but I made little marks in pencil of things that I want to go back and put in to my master book of things to remember. What I really liked was that for the most part it was written in English as opposed to religious-ese as a lot of religiousy type books can be.
November 30, 2017
Typical Fr. Albert style of stories, illustrations, lists, and quotes. This was an enjoyable read with a few good zingers. I've read similar content in other books, but this was a lovely reminder of some foundational concepts.
October 25, 2019
An exceptional book
This is a great book to learn how to relish the present moment and enjoy the abundance of graces and blessings reading this book
This is a great book to learn how to relish the present moment and enjoy the abundance of graces and blessings reading this book
March 21, 2022
This book gave some great insight to my spirituality. I love Fr. Albert's insights into the spiritual journey
January 13, 2017
Well-written and insightful.
October 22, 2011
This book is a great choice for Christian spiritual directors for a directee who would like to work through a book with them. It has a good chapter near the end on spiritual direction (which directees might want to read first). The book as a whole serves as a good outline for a spiritual journey that is focused on becoming your "true self" (the person God made you to be) and leaving the "false self", with its attachments to things that separate us from God and stunt our spiritual growth, behind.
I particularly liked the chapter 5 introduction to contemplative prayer ("how prayer makes us prayerful") which redirects the activity of prayer from something we must do, accomplish, get done to a means of holding ourselves more consciously in God's presence throughout our day. The chapters on penance (as a means of preserving relationships) and discernment are very helpful also.
The last chapter on the "ongoing work of the Spirit" presents the traditional pattern of human development and spiritual growth (awakening, purgation, illumination, dark night, and union) in a very practical and helpful way. He points out that each person's journey is unique, God isn't bound by and particular road map, God will not trump his gift of free will to us, and that spiritual growth is more cyclical (or spiraled) than a linear progression.
Each chapter ends with several good reflection questions. The book also has some appendices with helpful information on designing a "rule of life" and finding a spiritual director. There is also an appendix which collects most of the charts and lists that are placed through out the book as a helpful aid to memory for the author's most important points.
One thought that seems to run through the whole book is that there is really "nothing more to get" in life other than what our experience of God's life provides. That life does not consist in the regrets and losses of our past or in our hopes and fears for the future. It it most profoundly experienced in the "here and now". Without that there is no healing for our past or confidence for our future.
I particularly liked the chapter 5 introduction to contemplative prayer ("how prayer makes us prayerful") which redirects the activity of prayer from something we must do, accomplish, get done to a means of holding ourselves more consciously in God's presence throughout our day. The chapters on penance (as a means of preserving relationships) and discernment are very helpful also.
The last chapter on the "ongoing work of the Spirit" presents the traditional pattern of human development and spiritual growth (awakening, purgation, illumination, dark night, and union) in a very practical and helpful way. He points out that each person's journey is unique, God isn't bound by and particular road map, God will not trump his gift of free will to us, and that spiritual growth is more cyclical (or spiraled) than a linear progression.
Each chapter ends with several good reflection questions. The book also has some appendices with helpful information on designing a "rule of life" and finding a spiritual director. There is also an appendix which collects most of the charts and lists that are placed through out the book as a helpful aid to memory for the author's most important points.
One thought that seems to run through the whole book is that there is really "nothing more to get" in life other than what our experience of God's life provides. That life does not consist in the regrets and losses of our past or in our hopes and fears for the future. It it most profoundly experienced in the "here and now". Without that there is no healing for our past or confidence for our future.
September 27, 2008
I emjoyed this simple volume on finding your way back to God's will -- which is, indeed, where you are right at this moment.
With practical examples and simple language, Haase explains the earthly temptations we face every day, and how they separate us from the Lord, our true home, our true self. He discusses the seven deadly sins (an analysis I found particularly interesting), and shares practices to bring you back to self/God/home.
Gentle, thought-provoking, and easy to read, this would be a great book for a study group or individual contemplation.
With practical examples and simple language, Haase explains the earthly temptations we face every day, and how they separate us from the Lord, our true home, our true self. He discusses the seven deadly sins (an analysis I found particularly interesting), and shares practices to bring you back to self/God/home.
Gentle, thought-provoking, and easy to read, this would be a great book for a study group or individual contemplation.
January 16, 2010
Christian orientation that examines the many ways people create false selves to fill the hole in our hearts. The author believes we are born w/ the hole to allow the light of spirit to shine through us. I always appreciate a visual metaphor. The book was especially helpful to me in its description of the spiritual journey.
March 10, 2022
Simple and life changing. One of the most important books I read this year. The author provides a good reminder about the beauty of present moment living and about the tension and pain caused by living at great distance from your authentic self.
January 27, 2009
I am currently reading this book. It was given to me by a friend at my church. I'm loving it so far and having trouble putting it down!
Read
June 16, 2010Not too bad of a book. I wasn't real impressed at first, but he does a good job of discussing the true and false self. Fairly easy to read.
October 22, 2012
I will read this book over and over. So much to disgest and use in every season of life.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews