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Yes, and...: Daily Meditations
This perennial book features daily meditations, each written by Rohr and adapted or excerpted from his many written and recorded works. The meditations are arranged around seven themes:
Methodology: Scripture as validated by experience, and experience as validated by tradition, are good scales for one’s spiritual worldview
Foundation: If God is Trinity and Jesus is the face of God, then it is a benevolent universe. God is not someone to be afraid of, but is the Ground of Being and on our side.
Frame: There is only one Reality. Any distinction between natural and supernatural, sacred and profane is a bogus one.
Ecumenical: Everything belongs and no one needs to be scapegoated or excluded. Evil and illusion only need to be named and exposed truthfully, and they die in exposure to the light.
Transformation: The separate self is the problem, whereas most religion and most people make the “shadow self” the problem. This leads to denial, pretending, and projecting instead of real transformation into the Divine.
Process: The path of descent is the path of transformation. Darkness, failure, relapse, death, and woundedness are our primary teachers, rather than ideas or doctrines.
Goal: Reality is paradoxical and complementary. Non-dual thinking is the highest level of consciousness. Divine union, not private perfection, is the goal of all religion.
Yes, and...is an excellent daily prayer resource for fans of Richard Rohr’s work, and those who are looking for an alternate way to live out their faith—a way centered in the open-minded search for spiritual relevance of a transforming nature.
Methodology: Scripture as validated by experience, and experience as validated by tradition, are good scales for one’s spiritual worldview
Foundation: If God is Trinity and Jesus is the face of God, then it is a benevolent universe. God is not someone to be afraid of, but is the Ground of Being and on our side.
Frame: There is only one Reality. Any distinction between natural and supernatural, sacred and profane is a bogus one.
Ecumenical: Everything belongs and no one needs to be scapegoated or excluded. Evil and illusion only need to be named and exposed truthfully, and they die in exposure to the light.
Transformation: The separate self is the problem, whereas most religion and most people make the “shadow self” the problem. This leads to denial, pretending, and projecting instead of real transformation into the Divine.
Process: The path of descent is the path of transformation. Darkness, failure, relapse, death, and woundedness are our primary teachers, rather than ideas or doctrines.
Goal: Reality is paradoxical and complementary. Non-dual thinking is the highest level of consciousness. Divine union, not private perfection, is the goal of all religion.
Yes, and...is an excellent daily prayer resource for fans of Richard Rohr’s work, and those who are looking for an alternate way to live out their faith—a way centered in the open-minded search for spiritual relevance of a transforming nature.
432 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
996 people are currently reading
1063 people want to read
About the author
Richard Rohr
248 books2,356 followersFr. 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
December 28, 2025
This has been my daily devotional since the beginning of the year, which I began with a time of renewal. It SHOULD have lasted through the entire year, except there were many days that I just wanted more, that I needed more, so I just kept going. As I neared the conclusion of the book I began to think about what would, or should, be next. I had a couple of ideas, but as I turned the page on the final entry today and closed the cover, something spoke to me and said, in a line taken straight from “Jesus Christ Superstar,” - “Could we start again, please?”
So yes! I will return again at the beginning and allow these rich words and soul-searching meditations to continue to shape me for another several months (I have no illusion that I will be able to limit myself to one reading per day!). I gave this book 5 stars on Goodreads - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️- ONLY because SIX or more was not an option!
So yes! I will return again at the beginning and allow these rich words and soul-searching meditations to continue to shape me for another several months (I have no illusion that I will be able to limit myself to one reading per day!). I gave this book 5 stars on Goodreads - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️- ONLY because SIX or more was not an option!
May 18, 2021
I could have underlined everything.
The spiritual gift of discernment (1 Corinthians 12:10) is when seemingly good things can be recognized as sometimes-bad things, and seemingly bad things can also be seen to bear some good fruit. Discernment has largely been undeveloped among ordinary Christians, except among the Jesuits. It invites people into what I call Yes/And thinking rather than simplistic, either/or thinking. This is the difference between merely having correct information and exhibiting the true spiritual gift of wisdom (1 Corinthians 12:8). Both knowledge and wisdom are good, but wisdom is much better. It demands the maturity of discernment, which is what it takes to develop a truly consistent ethic of life. I admit, the vast majority of people are not there yet. Once you have learned to discern the real and disguised nature of both good and evil, you recognize that everything is broken and fallen, weak and poor—while still being the dwelling place of God: you and me, your country, your children, your marriage, and even your church and mosque and synagogue. That is not a put-down of anybody or anything, but actually creates the freedom to love imperfect things! As Jesus told the rich young man, “God alone is good!” (Mark 10:18). In this, you may have been given the greatest recipe for happiness for the rest of your life. You cannot wait for things to be totally perfect to fall in love with them, or you will never love anything. Now, instead, you can love everything!
Rohr, Richard. Yes, and...: Daily Meditations (p. 205). Franciscan Media. Kindle Edition.
When Christians pretend that every line in the Bible is of equal importance and inspiration, they are being very unlike Jesus.
Jesus consistently ignored or even denied exclusionary, punitive, and triumphalistic texts in his own Jewish Bible in favor of passages that emphasized inclusion, mercy, and honesty.
God becomes more a verb than a noun, more a process than a conclusion, more an experience than a dogma, more a personal relationship than an idea. There is Someone dancing with you and you no longer need to prove to anyone that you are right, nor are you afraid of making mistakes. Another word for that is faith.
Literalism is the lowest and least level of meaning in a spiritual text. Willful people use Scripture literally when it serves their purposes and they use it figuratively when it gets in the way of their cultural biases. Willing people let the Scriptures change them instead of using them to change others.
God loves you so that you can change. What empowers change, what makes you desirous of change, is the experience of love and acceptance itself.
You are never holy enough, pure enough, refined enough, or loving enough. Whereas, when you fall into God’s mercy, when you fall into God’s great generosity, you find, seemingly from nowhere, this capacity to change. No one is more surprised than you are. You know it is a total gift.
I believe that we have no real access to who we really are except in God. Only when we rest in God can we find the safety, the spaciousness, and the scary freedom to be who we are, all that we are, more than we are, and less than we are. Only when we live and see through God can everything belong.
I believe that we have no real access to who we really are except in God. Only when we rest in God can we find the safety, the spaciousness, and the scary freedom to be who we are, all that we are, more than we are, and less than we are. Only when we live and see through God can everything belong.
Be still and know that I am God. Be still and know that I am. Be still and know. Be still. Be.
The spiritual gift of discernment (1 Corinthians 12:10) is when seemingly good things can be recognized as sometimes-bad things, and seemingly bad things can also be seen to bear some good fruit. Discernment has largely been undeveloped among ordinary Christians, except among the Jesuits. It invites people into what I call Yes/And thinking rather than simplistic, either/or thinking. This is the difference between merely having correct information and exhibiting the true spiritual gift of wisdom (1 Corinthians 12:8). Both knowledge and wisdom are good, but wisdom is much better. It demands the maturity of discernment, which is what it takes to develop a truly consistent ethic of life. I admit, the vast majority of people are not there yet. Once you have learned to discern the real and disguised nature of both good and evil, you recognize that everything is broken and fallen, weak and poor—while still being the dwelling place of God: you and me, your country, your children, your marriage, and even your church and mosque and synagogue. That is not a put-down of anybody or anything, but actually creates the freedom to love imperfect things! As Jesus told the rich young man, “God alone is good!” (Mark 10:18). In this, you may have been given the greatest recipe for happiness for the rest of your life. You cannot wait for things to be totally perfect to fall in love with them, or you will never love anything. Now, instead, you can love everything!
Rohr, Richard. Yes, and...: Daily Meditations (p. 205). Franciscan Media. Kindle Edition.
When Christians pretend that every line in the Bible is of equal importance and inspiration, they are being very unlike Jesus.
Jesus consistently ignored or even denied exclusionary, punitive, and triumphalistic texts in his own Jewish Bible in favor of passages that emphasized inclusion, mercy, and honesty.
God becomes more a verb than a noun, more a process than a conclusion, more an experience than a dogma, more a personal relationship than an idea. There is Someone dancing with you and you no longer need to prove to anyone that you are right, nor are you afraid of making mistakes. Another word for that is faith.
Literalism is the lowest and least level of meaning in a spiritual text. Willful people use Scripture literally when it serves their purposes and they use it figuratively when it gets in the way of their cultural biases. Willing people let the Scriptures change them instead of using them to change others.
God loves you so that you can change. What empowers change, what makes you desirous of change, is the experience of love and acceptance itself.
You are never holy enough, pure enough, refined enough, or loving enough. Whereas, when you fall into God’s mercy, when you fall into God’s great generosity, you find, seemingly from nowhere, this capacity to change. No one is more surprised than you are. You know it is a total gift.
I believe that we have no real access to who we really are except in God. Only when we rest in God can we find the safety, the spaciousness, and the scary freedom to be who we are, all that we are, more than we are, and less than we are. Only when we live and see through God can everything belong.
I believe that we have no real access to who we really are except in God. Only when we rest in God can we find the safety, the spaciousness, and the scary freedom to be who we are, all that we are, more than we are, and less than we are. Only when we live and see through God can everything belong.
Be still and know that I am God. Be still and know that I am. Be still and know. Be still. Be.
May 1, 2022
A book to be savored. And one with a rich message about non-dualistic thinking, offering the antidotes of sustaining a beginner's mind and sitting:
"Contemplation teaches a different mind, which leaves itself open . . . ." (373)
Rohr is the Merton of our time.
"Contemplation teaches a different mind, which leaves itself open . . . ." (373)
Rohr is the Merton of our time.
May 8, 2020
I ended up reading more than one a day. These are great, especially for morning meditations.
September 27, 2023
Richard Rohr is a national treasure. These daily reflections, drawn from a wide variety of his writings, have been a great comfort and inspiration to me over the past year.
If I had to try to sum up Rohr 's approach to Christianity and faith, it would be that in order to follow God, we need to let go of our egos, our faith in our own intellectual and moral abilities, and truly be open to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as we move along life's journey.
Of course, he has much more to say on a variety of topics than this incomplete ham-handed summary.
Here are just a couple of excerpts:
"We are all searching for Someone to whom we can surrender, something we can prefer to life itself. Here is the wonderful surprise: God is the only one to whom we can surrender without losing ourselves! The irony is that we actually find ourselves, but now in a whole new and much larger field of meaning."
"Christianity is a lifestyle—a way of being in the world that is simple, nonviolent, shared, and loving. However, we made it into an established religion (and all that goes with that) and avoided the lifestyle change itself. We could be warlike, greedy, racist, selfish, and vain throughout most of Christian history and still believe that Jesus is our personal Lord and Savior or continue, in good standing, to receive the sacraments. The world has no time for such silliness anymore. The suffering on earth is too great."
Highly recommended
If I had to try to sum up Rohr 's approach to Christianity and faith, it would be that in order to follow God, we need to let go of our egos, our faith in our own intellectual and moral abilities, and truly be open to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as we move along life's journey.
Of course, he has much more to say on a variety of topics than this incomplete ham-handed summary.
Here are just a couple of excerpts:
"We are all searching for Someone to whom we can surrender, something we can prefer to life itself. Here is the wonderful surprise: God is the only one to whom we can surrender without losing ourselves! The irony is that we actually find ourselves, but now in a whole new and much larger field of meaning."
"Christianity is a lifestyle—a way of being in the world that is simple, nonviolent, shared, and loving. However, we made it into an established religion (and all that goes with that) and avoided the lifestyle change itself. We could be warlike, greedy, racist, selfish, and vain throughout most of Christian history and still believe that Jesus is our personal Lord and Savior or continue, in good standing, to receive the sacraments. The world has no time for such silliness anymore. The suffering on earth is too great."
Highly recommended
January 1, 2022
This books is huge for me. There are so many thoughts that I have felt alone in when it comes to the Christian faith and this book fortified a lot of the things that I wholeheartedly believe in while pushing my faith even further. I didn’t agree with everything, but a part of Christian mysticism (as I’m learning from Rohr) is that that is okay. I will be rereading this in 2022 because I feel like it really needs a review. I will say the only downside I have for Rohr’s writings is that they might not be the most accessible.
September 30, 2013
Great book to introduce yourself to the wisdom found in Richard Rohr's books. Daily reflection and thoughtful action allow reader to contemplate wisdom found in Scripture, Franciscan spirituality and the world of doing good for the world. Be challenged this Franciscan's words each day of the year!
November 20, 2016
This book will never be finished. It is, right now, part of my daily reading - opening it at random to find what I am given for the day. Some day I may put it on a shelf, but I will, I think, again and again pick it up and ask it to lead me closer to that which I hold divine.
December 29, 2019
Spiritual reading to help make sense of our society and rise above.
January 28, 2024
I plan to just start this again, and I don’t re-read books typically. Rohr encourages us to be present, open and reach towards much greater than just dualistic thinking.
December 28, 2020
In this book, Father Richard Rohr collects a number of his writings in one place and adapts them into short, one or two page devotionals. There are 366 entries, one for each day of the year.
I read these short pieces as devotionals or morning meditations over the course of a year, so it's a bit hard to sum up how I feel about the entire collection in a review. As one might anticipate, some of the pieces were more meaningful than others. Overall, what I appreciate about Rohr is his focus on contemplation, mysticism, and ecumenism. A number of these brief essays give language to thoughts I've had, but have not been able to express particularly clearly. I'm appreciative of his wisdom about transitioning from the binding legalism of religiosity to the freedom of being in the Divine presence. That seems like an important motion in the life of anyone who is a true spiritual seeker. However, when he starts talking about topics that are more specifically Catholic (e.g. the Eucharist), I find myself more removed.
By the end of the book, I found that the devotionals had become a bit repetitive. Although each essay comes at the topics from a slightly new angle, the basic premises have all been highlighted. I began to wish for a more in-depth and thoughtful exploration of some of the ideas. That suggests to me that I should be picking up one or more of Rohr's full-length books instead. Still, as a way to start the day, this isn't bad.
On a side note, I was attracted to this book by the title, Yes, and . . . which is a basic saying for anyone who does theatrical improvisation. I don't know if Rohr is familiar with improv, but I've oft contended that improv and spirituality - especially mysticism - go hand in hand. The basic ideas in both are paradoxical and require dualistic thinking. Rohr further convinces me that that is the case.
I read these short pieces as devotionals or morning meditations over the course of a year, so it's a bit hard to sum up how I feel about the entire collection in a review. As one might anticipate, some of the pieces were more meaningful than others. Overall, what I appreciate about Rohr is his focus on contemplation, mysticism, and ecumenism. A number of these brief essays give language to thoughts I've had, but have not been able to express particularly clearly. I'm appreciative of his wisdom about transitioning from the binding legalism of religiosity to the freedom of being in the Divine presence. That seems like an important motion in the life of anyone who is a true spiritual seeker. However, when he starts talking about topics that are more specifically Catholic (e.g. the Eucharist), I find myself more removed.
By the end of the book, I found that the devotionals had become a bit repetitive. Although each essay comes at the topics from a slightly new angle, the basic premises have all been highlighted. I began to wish for a more in-depth and thoughtful exploration of some of the ideas. That suggests to me that I should be picking up one or more of Rohr's full-length books instead. Still, as a way to start the day, this isn't bad.
On a side note, I was attracted to this book by the title, Yes, and . . . which is a basic saying for anyone who does theatrical improvisation. I don't know if Rohr is familiar with improv, but I've oft contended that improv and spirituality - especially mysticism - go hand in hand. The basic ideas in both are paradoxical and require dualistic thinking. Rohr further convinces me that that is the case.
June 28, 2022
Richard Rohr is without a doubt my favorite author when it comes to spiritual books. What a mystic, what a teacher, what a being of love and pure grace. I’m in awe.
This is a book that I will keep by my bed and go back to it again and again, probably every single day. It’s a series of meditations or short reflections (about 365 of them), so easy to pick up, chose a random page and read.
This is truly profound, life changing stuff.
Highly recommended for anyone into mysticism, contemplation, non-dualistic thinking or spirituality outside of the bounds of traditional religions. Or anyone interested in learning more about those topics!
5/5 stars 100%
This is a book that I will keep by my bed and go back to it again and again, probably every single day. It’s a series of meditations or short reflections (about 365 of them), so easy to pick up, chose a random page and read.
This is truly profound, life changing stuff.
Highly recommended for anyone into mysticism, contemplation, non-dualistic thinking or spirituality outside of the bounds of traditional religions. Or anyone interested in learning more about those topics!
5/5 stars 100%
January 6, 2024
I admire Richard Rohr so much and reading him (in addition to reading his books, I subscribe to his daily meditations) has expanded and deepened my own faith and spirituality.
The biggest challenge I face with this book was staying with only one meditation each day, which I admit I often failed to do. Now I'm going to start again--each piece is rich and I'm sure more than worth additional reading and reflection.
I have to remind myself that with reading--especially texts like these--it's the quality, not the quantity that matters and that I want to practive what Thich Nhat Hanh calls "deep listening" as I slowly read and meditate on each piece.
The biggest challenge I face with this book was staying with only one meditation each day, which I admit I often failed to do. Now I'm going to start again--each piece is rich and I'm sure more than worth additional reading and reflection.
I have to remind myself that with reading--especially texts like these--it's the quality, not the quantity that matters and that I want to practive what Thich Nhat Hanh calls "deep listening" as I slowly read and meditate on each piece.
December 11, 2025
Yes and Daily Meditations is a book I believe almost anyone could benefit from reading—regardless of ideology, politics, religious background, or even whether one believes in God at all. At its core, the book invites readers to cultivate compassion, mercy, loving-kindness, patience, forgiveness, and humility. These are universal virtues, and they’re exactly what drew me most to this work.
Rohr’s reflections encourage a gentler, more generous way of moving through the world, and I found that message both grounding and inspiring. While the book may not be an ideal recommendation for everyone, I still think many people would find something meaningful in its pages.
Rohr’s reflections encourage a gentler, more generous way of moving through the world, and I found that message both grounding and inspiring. While the book may not be an ideal recommendation for everyone, I still think many people would find something meaningful in its pages.
December 29, 2025
I’ve become an avid reader of Father Richard Rohr’s spiritual writings and his progressive understanding of Christian scriptures. Coming from a contemplative background as a Franciscan monk, he teaches a form of Christianity that is questioning, nuanced and allows for a look beyond a strictly literal interpretation of the Bible. This non-dualistic approach is evident in this collection of excerpts from some of his earlier books, but don’t think that their brevity means they are any less profound or are not as informative of a philosophy that is compassionate, inclusive and much needed for our times
August 30, 2023
The older I get the more I enjoy and benefit from the writings of Richard Rohr. This book is a collection of one page reflections/devotions culled from his many writings and publications. Organized into themes of Methodology, Foundation, Frame, Ecumenism, Transformation, Process and Goal, the overall theme is confronting the limitations of our dualistic thinking, and moving more toward "yes/and" thinking through our ability to use the contemplative and meditative mind. There were so many gems in this book, and I am sure I will return to its pages again. What a wonderful resource!
January 28, 2022
I read this book over the course of a year and it changed me so much. Each day was a new challenge or new insight in addition to other books I was reading. It led me through a lot of deep and painful deconstruction. At times I didn’t even believe in the stuff I was reading, but by the end, my outlook on life and spirituality was vastly different. Rohr is one of the wise mystics of the modern era. Highly suggest this for a run down on his spirituality.
December 31, 2023
Richard Rohr was recommended to me by a friend at my Lutheran Church. I picked this book to start because our pastor regularly references "both and" theology. I'd read some meditations by Catholic Mystics before, and will probably keep going. Definitely some helpful thoughts and things to ponder as a person tries to grow and deepen their faith. Now I'm going to pass it on to a friend who fell away from the church after a very militant approach to Catholicism growing up.
January 1, 2024
Father Richard Rohr is a Franciscan Catholic priest and scholar. I'm not, and have never been, a Catholic. However, I am totally at home with Richard Rohr and feel as though we're kindred spirits. My personal spiritual path is A Course in Miracles and I'm surprised by how closely many of Father Rohr's non-traditional perspectives and beliefs align with the teachings of ACIM. He's a welcome voice of sanity in this largely insane world we all inhabit.
November 23, 2023
Daily, undated selections from Rohr’s writings & talks. Excellent introduction to his interpretation of Christianity. The Franciscan monk & founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation draws on historic and mystic sources in his focus on God’s all encompassing love for all creation. Thought provoking.
December 23, 2025
I’ve used this book as my daily devotional, not every day, but throughout the past 2 years. I’ve enjoyed Richard Rohrs teachings & insight about Christ, spirituality, humanity & the scriptures. So many meaningful quotes I’ve marked throughout.
“Preach the Gospel at all times and, when necessary, use words.” Pg 43
“Preach the Gospel at all times and, when necessary, use words.” Pg 43
June 27, 2021
Finishing a year-long book of meditations in half the time is a testament to the power of Rohr's message. I found myself marking several pages in a given day and highlighting/re-reading those that hit home. Reminded me of the excitement and curiosity I felt as a 20-something finding Thomas Merton!
August 14, 2025
As someone searching for a deeper, broader, and more reasonable spirituality than I was taught in church - I loved this book. Rohr provides a fresh take that left me wondering how something so freeing became so distorted over the past 2000 years. I can't wait to read more from this author.
February 17, 2020
A wonderful exploration of faith that inspires and challenges. Daily, I felt the possibilities of expansion and transformation. Grateful for this book and Richard Rohr’s insights.
May 20, 2020
Makes you truly think about how you see yourself as a sincere believer
February 21, 2021
These daily reading have both expanded my own spiritual understanding, such as it is, and exposed me to many more of Richard Rohr's works.
August 21, 2021
Daily meditations with rich insight into the heart of Christ. It helps centers me with a new perspective.
June 3, 2022
It’s great to start each day with Fr. Richard Rohr. Insightful and challenging Fr. Richard leads a movement toward authenticity and a deeper spiritual walk.
July 16, 2023
Powerful but overwhelming.
November 16, 2023
I used this as part of my daily prayer routine for nearly a year. This meditations are wonderful and easy to digest. Thank you, Father Rohr, for your kind wisdom and guidance.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews