Return to the Root: Reflections on the Inner Life

by Joyce Rupp

Winner of a third-place award for contemporary spirituality from the Catholic Media Association. One of the Spirituality & Practice 50 best spiritual books of 2021.

For more than a decade, bestselling author and international retreat leader Joyce Rupp has written a monthly newsletter offering personal reflections and inspiration from her heart to ours. In Return to the Root , Rupp expands on the best of those reflections to invite all of us who feel overwhelmed by busyness, cut off from the Divine, or adrift in the world to reach solid ground. Through her reflections, as well as new poems and prayers, she guides us to see the essential—what is at the root of our lives and what keeps us rooted—so that we can feel at peace no matter the events of the world around us. Rupp offers meditative, uplifting reflections—grown out of the seasons, the Church’s liturgical life, and the small moments that adorn our days—that escort us through the year. With each reflection, we shift beyond the immediate moment to see the timeless truths within, including choosing to hold on to hope, trusting how God speaks to us and how we experience the Divine, and recognizing that there is always something for which to be grateful. Whether we need to be reminded of important truths or to experience moments of tranquility in a life of nonstop distractions, Rupp’s Return to the Root offers us space to explore the beauty of the world and hold onto those things that sustain our beings and, as the apostle Paul wrote, keep us “rooted and grounded in love.”

Genres: Spirituality

256 pages, Paperback

Published October 8, 2021

About the author

Joyce Rupp is well known for her work as a writer, a spiritual "midwife," and retreat and conference speaker. She has led retreats throughout North America, as well as in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Joyce has a B.A. in English, a M.R.E. in Religious Education, and a M.A. in Transpersonal Psychology. She is a member of the Servites (Servants of Mary) community and was a volunteer for Hospice for fifteen years. She currently resides in Des Moines, Iowa. A list of Joyce's works can be found in the left column of this page. Click on the book title to find out more information about that title.

Reviews

[Bonnie Westmark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This concludes my summer of Rupp. I devoured her books all season. This was a favorite. The stories were a calming, peaceful, retreat, just what I needed. I found this book to be a perfect addition to my contemplative prayers and lectio. The stories were enchanting. Each will live within me to draw from and meditate on.

[Keli]

Very Beautiful.
A few years ago a good friend of mine, a nun, recommended one of Joyce Rupp’s books to me: ‘Dear Heart Come Home’. I really enjoyed reading it and decided to seek out more from this author. For those who are unfamiliar with her work, Joyce Rupp is an award winning and bestselling author and a member of the Servite (Servants of Mary) community. She is also a well known spiritual midwife, conference speaker, and international retreat leader.

When I feel overwhelmed, or too distant from God, Joyce Rupp’s books help me to feel more grounded again; or rooted, and brings a peace and connection back to the Divine. ‘Return to the Root’ is rooted [so many roots] in the best of Joyce Rupp’s expanded versions of her monthly newsletters, written and shared by her over a dozen years, (you can sign up for the free e-newsletters on her website). The newsletters include the author’s personal reflections, prayers, poems and motivational and inspirational messages written by herself and many other authors. There are a number of biblical and scriptural references too. The book is divided into monthly and seasonal reflections, to guide us through the year and reflect and meditate on each monthly offering. I read the whole book. It was very easy to get carried away reading and reconnecting. I needed to feel more grounded and reading this helped.

It is a lovely book and would make a great gift. Especially for fans of Rupp’s other works. I’d buy this for myself and for my dear friends.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the book Women of Prayer and Spirit discussed each month of 2022. Each of the 12 chapters is comprised of 4-5 short meditations connected to the month.
Our group of 10 women meeting via zoom really resonated with this book. Written by a Benedictine nun, it is not, however, a book just for women. The subtitle is “Refections on the Inner Life.” I recommend it to anyone to whom the title appeals.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found it full of food for thought and a good book when you feel dry on the spiritual way.
Well written and thought provoking.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Susan Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am reading this book for the 2nd time. Joyce Rupp is an amazing source of spiritual encouragement in my life. I have many of her books. This one is a direct conduit for hearing God’s whisper directly in my ear. I am grateful…!!

[Janis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joyce Rupp gathered essays from her monthly newsletters into Return to the Root: Reflections on the Inner Life. As you would expect, these reflections (seven per month) follow the seasons of nature and of the church year. I enjoyed using this book for both personal and group devotions.

[Janet Ashcraft · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a devotional book organized by months of the year. Each month has poems and other devotional thoughts that are enriching and thought provoking.#returntotheroot #netgalley