Between the Dreaming and the Coming True: The Road Home to God

by Robert Benson

One man's story of his journey through spiritual uncertainty to a newfound understanding of his relationship to God. For those who have questioned their Christian faith, Robert Benson offers an account of his sojourn in a season of trouble and his journey back to God. In this spiritual self-portrait, Benson's experiences--battling depression and re-examining the deep Christian faith in which he has been immersed since childhood--become poignant testament of one believer's struggle with the mysteries of faith's road.

Genres: Spirituality, Faith, Memoir, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1996

About the author

Robert Benson has written more than a dozen books about discovering the Holy in the midst of our everyday lives. He is a lifelong churchman, a graduate of the Academy for Spiritual Formation, a member of the Friends of Silence and of the Poor, and has been named a Living Spiritual Teacher by Spirituality and Practice. Benson lives and writes, pays attention and offers prayers at his home in Nashville, Tennessee.

Reviews

[Camille Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but oh so rich. Benson gets it. He simultaneously navigates life’s perils (of which he is highly familiar) and the hope of what is to come (of which he is also very well acquainted.)

It’s just one of those books that is jam packed with relatability AND novel ideas. Hard to get both in one. But alas, Benson has done it!

[Mia Kromer · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Once we start home toward God- which happens the minute we start, actually- we simply do not ever turn around and head in another direction. There is no other direction…” P.139

Big fan of this story of Bensons walk with God. Also big fan of his love for Annie Dillard and Eugene Peterson. This one will stick with me.

[Alex Betts · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those books that gives you life. Odds are, you need to read it

[Rebekah J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved this quick meaningful read. Love his poetic writing style and the way that he allows for grace along the journey of faith!

[Ty Powers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminded me of Anne Lamott's books (but not nearly as irreverent): you know, the kind of book where the author admits to having as many questions about God as the reader, and thus doesn't provide solutions but instead offers poignant, elegantly posed observations about the mysteries of life. Thank God it's okay to struggle.

[Kate Templeton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good and easy to read. The chapters are short so I read one each morning as part of my devotion time and really enjoyed it. Just great thoughts on why we're here and where we're headed. I liked his reflections on living a life of prayer and his transparency about his own journey. Lots of great stuff to digest. Definitely recommended.

[Chris Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoughtful, beautifully written memoir about moving from hopelessness to peace, and moving closer to God along the way. Benson's tender, compassionate and childlike writing reminds me of Brennan Manning's or Anne Lamott. This is the second book I've read by Benson in a year's time ("Living Prayer" is a masterpiece) and it's the second book of his I know I'll be returning to over and again on my journey.

[Rocky Henriques · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have a few important theological differences...

...But those did not prevent me from enjoying this book. It was not exactly what I was expecting, but sometimes the richest joys in life are indeed unexpected. The portions on Holy Ground made me stop for a few moments and remember some I have experienced, and I look forward to the next one! Thank you, Robert Benson.

[Dawne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is so profoundly simple and beautiful. It reinforces everything I've been learning through my contemplative practices. Robert Benson was part of our conversation in the book study group that discussed this book. Hearing his words and having him read directly from the book was a remarkable experience.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and easy read about what we are here for.

One of many quotes I liked is on page 110:
“The Eucharist itself, with its steady and startling reminder that the Body of Christ is meant to be taken, blessed, broken, and shared again and again and again, can teach us to see our lives as food for the journey for others, as sustenance for each other for the building of the Kingdom itself.

[Lori Neff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable meandering. loved the thoughts and questions posed.
(I admit: it bothered me that none of his sources were documented. He quoted quite a few people, but did not include where - book/lecture/blog/etc - the quote came from, aside from the name.)

[Jennifer Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert Benson is always a joy to read. His writing is poetic, honest and inspires me toward a life of simplicity and contemplation.

[Jackie Pillow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benson’s stream of consciousness and insight about the world we live in is a game change. Easy easy read but 🔥🔥🔥 nonetheless

[Tracy Mikula · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't realize this book, Between the Dreaming and the Coming True by Robert Benson, existed until I happened across it while reading another book. But once I discovered it, I knew I had to read this book with the same title as a CD from one of my all-time favorite musicians, Bebo Norman. I was curious to see from where Bebo drew his inspiration to write such beautiful music.

I love the concept behind the book--the concept that God dreamed each of us into being with a vision in mind for who we are to become, and our lives here on earth are a journey toward realizing that dream. It is often a painful and enduring process, but if we don't give up despite setbacks such as the depression that Benson experienced, God--the Dreamer--does not give up on us. Moreover, that dream will never be fully realized until we go home to God. But God reveals his dream for us piece by piece as we are ready.

And piece by piece is also a good description of Benson's writing style. His concepts and ideas are great (I especially like the idea that who we are becoming is more important than what we are becoming), but each piece of the overall concept didn't seem to relate very well. It was like pulling random pieces out of a puzzle box, where none of them quite fit together. The title of the book is the picture on the puzzle box--and it is truly a beautiful picture--but Benson doesn't fit the pieces of his story together to illustrate that picture very clearly. Because of this, and also a few too many grammatical errors, I gave Between the Dreaming and the Coming True two stars: one for the concept, and one for the ideas that flowed from that concept. Now, if they had been pieced together as well as Bebo Norman's CD with the same title, I would have been much more generous.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am newly acquainted with Robert Benson, whom I met at a conference last month. His books are even newer on my list. There is a deceptive simplicity to each of his books that I have read thus far. They seem to be part religion/inspiration and part memoir. In well-crafted prose he delivers simple, yet profound thoughts. This book read easily, but I want to re-read it soon to plumb the depths for what I missed this time.

[Keith Bordeaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most refreshing and spiritually encouraging books I've read in a while. Very quick but thought-provoking read. Benson has a poet's heart and it comes through in his writing and his view of life. If you like Frederick Buechner and Henri Nouwen you will love this book. I have a feeling it's one I'll be re-reading frequently.

[Cheyenne Wilbur · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend passed this to me and it is a gem and a reminder how a book can be such a good friend too. With a good dose of humor, Mr. Benson reveals the ground level of being. It is so easy with all the myriad distractions to lose sight of our true journey. This surprisingly quick read, it's practically poetry in its concise style, is a weke up call.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

And 'easy' read, in that the chapters are not lengthy, yet packed with content.

Couple of deeply introspective / step out of myself moments for me to ponder, beyond my daily grind.

Took a bit for me to really get into it, but the middle to end are really worth it.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended by Mike Yaconelli so it must be good.

[Juli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just can't say enough good things about Robert Benson's writing. Love it.

[Gregg · Rating 4 out of 5]

"There is no ground that is not holy ground. All the places of our lives are sanctuaries; some just happen to have steeples."
--Robert Benson

[Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book regarding Mr. Benson's spiritual journey and how we are each called to be saints and the living body of Christ.

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a lot of depth, but I love his heart and thought process. I try to read this book every year or so.

[Lisa Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plain and elegant writing about
The author's faith crisis and his road to a deeper understanding.