Breathing Under Water: Spirituality And The Twelve Steps Paperback – September 1, 2011
by Richard Rohr (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars 1,830 ratings
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Richard Rohr continues to guide us to greater wholeness. The latest example is his new book, Breathing Under Water. A prolific writer, his books have helped countless souls, especially those who struggle with issues of brokenness and seek transformation. -- NCR (read full review: ncronline.org/node/26677)
About the Author
Fr. 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 lived kenosis (self-emptying), expressing itself in radical compassion, particularly for the socially marginalized. Fr. Richard is the author of numerous books, including Everything Belongs, Adam’s Return, The Naked Now, Breathing Under Water, Falling Upward, Immortal Diamond, and Eager to Love: The Alternative Way of Francis of Assisi. 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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Product details
Publisher : Franciscan Media; 1st edition (September 1, 2011)
Language : English
Paperback : 176 pages
Customer Reviews: 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,830 ratings
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Richard Rohr
Fr. 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 (www.cac.org) in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he also serves as Academic Dean of the Living School for Action and Contemplation. Fr. Richard's teaching is grounded in the Franciscan alternative orthodoxy--practices of contemplation and self-emptying, 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, and Eager to Love.
He has been a featured essayist on NPR's "This I Believe," a guest of Mehmet Oz on the Oprah and Friends radio show, and a guest of Oprah Winfrey on Super Soul Sunday. Fr. Richard was one of several spiritual leaders featured in the 2006 documentary film ONE: The Movie and was included in Watkins' Spiritual 100 List for 2013. He has given presentations with spiritual leaders such as Rob Bell, Cynthia Bourgeault, Joan Chittister, Shane Claiborne, James Finley, Laurence Freeman, Thomas Keating, Ronald Rolheiser, Jim Wallis, and the Dalai Lama.
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Top reviews from the United States
Paul Davis
5.0 out of 5 stars This is not a book for alcoholics and drug addicts alone. It is a book for all who are looking for the essence of humanity, what
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2015
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Being a physician and currently suffering the pain of a close family member who struggles with lifelong loss of esteem that has presented itself in later years seeking comfort through alcohol, I find this book to be of enormous insight and comfort in my own lostness, woundedness and healing. Having grown up in a hyper religious environment dedicated to validation through performance, I find relief in the simplicity of breathing in, breathing out, even under water, knowing there is a very present God who suffers with me and my family. Richard paints a rich and tangible picture of One who is unconditionally loving in all our brokenness. One who desires nothing more than the simple submission of my soul to sit on his lap and have him wrap arms around me. When I hold my own grandchildren on my lap and do nothing but squeeze them tightly and whisper "I love you no matter what" in their childish ears, I finally understand who I am as a child and what I am here to do for my family and all those with whom I come in contact.
I heartily recommend this book to anyone who has been disappointed by religion, by their false image of God, and by their false image of themselves. It is a book for anyone who is suffering from the addiction to busyness and performance that I've personally endured, to "other pleasing", and of course to those who search for their self meaning in substances that give only temporary relief from the reality of their personal loss of esteem and purpose.
Powerful, personal, genuine in its message of hope! I hope this gentle healer named Richard never puts down his pen!
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191 people found this helpful
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D. Hamer
5.0 out of 5 stars Exposing the emptiness we all share
Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2017
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Anyone who thinks this is a book about addiction has missed the point -- or just finds it easier to fix other people's addictions than confront their own brokenness. Richard Rohr has brilliantly introduced 12-step spirituality as a lens through which we can identify our "holes in the soul" and move into more authentic relationships with ourselves and with our Lord.
44 people found this helpful
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AZN8TV
5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for 12 steppers, their families and everyone else
Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2015
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It's long been my belief that if the rest of the world lived by the 12 Steps of AA and other Anonymous groups, the world would be a much better place.
Father Richard Rohr offers the concept that everyone suffers from some form of addiction...the internet, FB, cell phones, control...the list is endless. In this book, he addresses the larger issues that stem from these addictions.
One of the main caveats of all 12 Step groups is that one must embrace a Higher Power, thus allowing for a true Spiritual transformation. As a lifelong Catholic, I can attest to the truth of this concept. My spirituality and relationship with my Higher Power, whom I call God, has only deepened in my own personal journey in Recovery.
This is the book that everyone should read. It offers many fresh ideas and offers growth in one's own spirituality.
I have taken to using this book with Sponsees who have a strong spiritual bond while early in their recovery from addiction. It certainly helps me to be a better sponsor.
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70 people found this helpful
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Carrie Schultz
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant theologian makes Christian spirituality accessible
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2016
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This is an amazing book for those on a spiritual path, particularly through the Twelve Steps, who struggle to find the God of Their Understanding"/Higher Power in the religious teachings and experiences they've encountered in life. Rohr helps bring reconciliation by humbly but clearly calling the church and "Christians" out when they have lost sight of or just plain missed the point of what Jesus was trying to teach. A fascinating read that helped me see the beauty of the forest and pity the ugliness of some very visible trees. I think any lapsed Christian who has resentments towards religion would find healing in these pages. And any die hard atheists and agnostics can see the words of Jesus in a way that he can be appreciated as a brilliant philosopher. Jesus without Christianity! Awesome and helpful.
39 people found this helpful
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Pastshelfdate
1.0 out of 5 stars Sentences and Key Words Missing
Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2018
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This is a great book, when it's all there. The people who transferred this print book over to a digital edition didn't make any mistakes that I noticed in the first two chapters, but this morning, in Sunday School, I noticed everyone else had a sentence in their print editions that was missing in my Kindle edition. A paragraph or two later, a quote attributed to Jesus of Nazareth is missing its verb: "Jesus had taught two thousand years ago in a most shocking and incomprehensible line: the wicked man no resistance”" (Matthew 5:39).
Rohr, Richard. Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps (p. 19). St. Anthony Messenger Press. Kindle Edition.
I don't know what else is missing. And I only read in this book once each week, during a 1-hour meeting. So I didn't find these defects until I was past Amazpn/Kindle's crappy 7-day return period.
Do not buy this buok from them in an eText edition. It's broken. And chances are, you won't notice until you can't get your money back.
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18 people found this helpful
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Laura Stephenson
4.0 out of 5 stars A Meditation On The 12 Steps
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2017
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Tbis is a beautiful treatise on rhe theology of the 12 Steps from the point of view of a Christian minister. I certainly don't agree with all of his premises, but he points out how the Steps are very similar to the poinrs made in both the Old and New Testaments. He talks about a transformative, compassionate ministry based on compassion and giving to others. This transformative ministry goes beyond piety and religious fervor and points out that compassion for others, not judgemental harangues and finger~pointing, is truly Christian. Suffering brimgs people together to help others because one sufferer truly understands and can help another one. This book can help church members transform themselves and their churches to be more in line with the truly radical idea of loving one another.
9 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries
Mrs. Mac
5.0 out of 5 stars what an amazing book. For a Christian who is familiar with ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 17, 2016
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what an amazing book. For a Christian who is familiar with the 12 step programme ,it fills in all the missing pieces in recovery. We are ALL addicts, because we're human and are addicted to our willful way of life, ruled and dominated by our ego and will. This book demonstrates how Jesus came to set us free from ourselves and our ruinous lying and destructive will by offering an alternative way of living.. our addiction to the misery brought about by a false belief system means we live with depression ,anxiety eating disorders, alcoholism etc etc etc and somehow accept it as manageable pain .God isn't interested in managing our pain, he wants to set us free and sent Jesus to show us how. die to self, surrender our will totally to one who loves us beyond imagination and understand that God needs us to love him. craves us , is desperate for us, knows us and our faults and loves us anyway. we come to see that it is our addiction to the lie of being unlovable and un forgiven that keeps us from God,WE are our own worst enemies .We are the problem and therefore cannot fix ourselves, we need a power greater than ourselves.The ego will do anything to keep us from God because God is a threat to it's existence. The ego is the source of all pain, it is death it's how the world works.
16 people found this helpful
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DEBRA JANE WALES
3.0 out of 5 stars I couldn't decide....
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 13, 2020
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This book stumped me....I love the 12 steps and believe its one of the most effective programmes out there that can be applied to any part of life. I'm also spiritual and an Enneagram coach which Rohr also ascribes to. As much as I don't follow any religious man made dogma I was a little shocked at just how much Rohr made every attempt to bad mouth the church. So much so, sometimes I couldn't decide if it was about the 12 steps or taking a stab at Christianity. Shame really....so much for forgiveness and judgment. The bible was right..'Why do you see the speck in your brothers eye when you don't notice the log in your own.'
One person found this helpful
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Yippity
5.0 out of 5 stars Great help to those with Addictions, everyone if we are honest
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 13, 2015
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This is a fabulous book as all of Richard Rohrs book are. If you are struggling with any addiction, and there are so many types not just alcohol, this book is powerful. I think once you have read this book you will want to read more of his books and they will for sure help you on in your journey.
3 people found this helpful
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Polly
5.0 out of 5 stars Spirituality & AA's 12 steps
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 6, 2015
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Great title - from a previously unpublished poem which he quotes at the start of his book - Father Richard Rohr explains how AA's 12 steps is a programme that achieves the impossible. Through following these simple steps -if you're in despair, floundering around - healing & liberation of spirit (breathing under water) will come. An American Franciscan priest who founded the Centre for Action & Contemplation in New Mexico, Richard Rohr comes from the mystical tradition of Christianity - Julian of Norwich, Thomas Merton etc but, like Eckart Tolle, he assimilates many traditions to lead us away from ego & duality to the wholeness of spiritual living & breathing.
9 people found this helpful
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foxy237
5.0 out of 5 stars ... of traditional 12 Step fellowships and a bright and useful companion to anyone who has taken such steps upon ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 12, 2014
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A very insightful appreciation of the spiritual principles underpinning the recovery program of traditional 12 Step fellowships and a bright and useful companion to anyone who has taken such steps upon their own road of healing and growth. Especially helpful to others who might seek to understand.
3 people found this helpful
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Jan 29, 2021Fergus rated it really liked it
8 notes & 10 highlights
Don't misunderstand Rohr's shock tactics. Heaven and Hell are not just here and now, for they're eternal. And if you can take the pain of the Fire here, you can take the pain in the beyond. Otherwise, this book is simply Eckhart Tolle garbed in a Franciscan habit.
Richard Rohr is an iconoclast, so be forewarned! A Christian who doesn’t believe in an Afterlife? A Liberationist? Perhaps - it’s hard to nail him down. But one thing is for sure: he lives ENTIRELY in the present moment. Which I try to do as well. And mostly fail.
But Rohr seems to put the word Heaven within inverted commas, as if it’s not a substantial transcendent truth at all. I have great difficulties with that, and it’s as if he’s also denying God’s transcendence. I would really appreciate some ingenuous clarifications from him! He’s an Artful Dodger.
So none of my anticipated superlatives for this one, folks. Remember when Alexander Pope archly said, “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing?”
He meant it’s a dangerous thing for the nut cases among us: for it’s like “giving a gun to a melancholic bore” - as Auden admonished, in The Quest. Those living in their sublunary worlds are bound to misconstrue Rohr.
OK, OK, I’ve been one-upped on my earlier high estimate. And yet his clarity within, and love for the absolute present tense of life is redoubtable.
But I’ll add a caveat: “A LOT of knowledge is the Road to Hell.” - my own bow shot at my knowing critics. Because I know it from experience. And give a questioning man like Rohr - or myself in the old days - an inch and he'll take a mile.
Well, has Richard Rohr gone that well-rutted road?
To answer that, think back to T.S. Eliot’s irreverently puckish “Mr. Eliot’s Sunday Morning Service:”
In the beginning was the Word:
Superfetation of “TO ‘EN [Being]”
And at the mensual turn of time
Produced enervate Origen.
Why does he use the name Origen - an early Father of the Church - as being enervate? Simple.
Too much partying can do a guy in! You see, a guy’s nerve endings become dull after too mucha that sorta thing!
So why does he says superfetation? Too easy...
Superfetation produces Giants, and it is no accident that the same Church Council that disciplined the giant, Origen, suppressed the Jewish quasi-Kabbalistic Book of Enoch, in which the ancient and arcane explanation of the the word Giant is freely given.
A Giant is megalomania incarnate.
You know, one would almost think it was Origen’s Gnostic leanings that nearly caused him to be Anathematized. And one bright Christian wag recently gave a one-star rating to Rohr on Audible. His reason?
‘NO HEAVEN + NO HELL = HERESY.’
More exactly, the same heresy that another Church Father, Irenaeus, once mercilessly gutted and hung out to dry (see my review under his name).
Things fall apart: the Centre will not hold -
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.
Nuff said?
There’s tons of good reading out there, but may I recommend Irenaeus?
Were he here today, he’d skewer Richard Rohr quite handily and nail him down fair and square against traditional thinking.
I just don’t know how to do that in a palatable enough way for his many followers in our free and easy postmodern age. (less)
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Pete
Mar 08, 2014Pete rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
i'm finally getting around to typing up some of my notes from books i read in 2014 and i'm not sure how i wound up giving this book four stars instead of five. as always disclaimer: what follows may not be of interest if you're not in recovery and at least somewhat positively disposed toward mr christ.
this is basically just a guy putting each of the classic twelve steps in a deep, smart, and soulful christian context, but not the fast-food version of christian context -- jesus is magic, we love magic jesus, that's all we know -- but the gnarly complex christian context, the kind that understands we are all sinners. anyway if you find yourself in the same size and shape of rowboat as me, you will dig this book. even if your boat situation is wildly divergent, let me just share rohr's four assumptions about addiction
1) we are all addicts
2) "stinking thinking"/our way way of doing anything-our own defenses-our patterned ways of thinking is the universal addiction
3) all societies are addicted to themselves
4) some form of alternative consciouness (prayer, meditation, therapy, just not behaving exactly the same way forever) is the only freedom from addiction
if that doesn't zing you a little then this book probably doesn't have a lot to offer you (less)
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Nate
Jan 19, 2012Nate rated it really liked it
Shelves: spirituality, recovery-addiction
This was less of an explanation of the Twelve Steps and more of a commentary on them. Good insights, as always, from Richard Rohr. I especially appreciated his point that all of us are addicted, especially to our own way of thinking. We all are powerless and in need of trusting a higher power. Easy to read and simple message.
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Diane
May 02, 2012Diane rated it really liked it · review of another edition
found myself quibbling a bit with his spirituality (from a Lutheran point of view), and I am tired of the "Do you worship Jesus or follow him?" dichotomy (to me, it's a both/and). But the 12th chapter, on the 12th step, was worth it all.
from the "Big Book": "so our troubles are basically of our own making. They arise out of ourselves; and the alcoholic is an extreme example of self-well run riot, though he or she does not think so. Above everything, we alcoholics must be rid of this selfishness. We must, or it kills us!"
So, we are called to serve others. If we receive, we also give. (less)
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Edward
Sep 10, 2016Edward rated it really liked it · review of another edition
"What religion would Jesus belong to?" was the title of a recent NY Times article about contemporary Christianity. You don't generally think of AA as a "religion" and while it's technically not one, Rohr finds that its approach to helping individuals overcome their addictions is a spiritual one with many parallels to the teachings of Christ.
Rohr makes four assumptions about addictions. First, we are all "addicts", being addictive by nature, subject to illusions and entrapments. The Biblical tradition calls them "sins", and in the New Testament they are often objectified as "demons" and are driven out.
Second, the universal addiction is "thinking", that is our habitual way of doing anything, our thought patterns, usually ones we're not even aware of.
Third, all societies agree, to some extent, to be compulsive about the same things and blind to the same problems. He gives as American examples, "our addiction to oil, war, empire, the church's addiction [and some patriotic ones] to its own absolute exceptionalism, the poor person's addiction to victim- hood, the white person's addiction to superiority, the wealthy person's addiction to entitlement."
Fourth, "Some form of alternative consciousness is the only freedom from this self and from cultural ties." Rohr finds that this means some kind of contemplative practice, or in Christian terms, "praying." Otherwise, you never break out of your rutted existence.
What AA does then, Rohr contends, is to take an extreme example of addiction, a dependence on alcohol, and try through its twelve step program to break this slavery. Does it work? He thinks it is a powerful and valid approach. . In breaking out of a terribly addictive habit, the addict must first admit that he is powerless to do it on his own. The ego has to let go and seek help, through others, through a "power greater than ourselves." Among many things that means acceptance of ourselves - the past, our mistakes, imperfections, openness. Our first inclination, though, is to become aggressive, fight, take control, think we can improve ourselves on our own. Here is where he thinks AA differs from much organized religion which promotes individual merit and sacrifice, with the payoff being some kind of "heaven." AA works more on the basis of what has been called "grace," undeserved and gratuitous goodness emerging in the humble individual.
Goodness always comes through failure. The addict has already been in a personal hell, and while it wouldn't be wished on anyone, without it, nothing makes any sense. We have to fall before we can rise. With the fall comes repentance and then, apology, healing, and forgiveness. At this point, the shackles of the past are broken.
There is a paradox in all of this, though, summed up in the aphorism, "No one catches the wild ass by running after him, yet only those who run after the wild ass ever catch him." It's the same paradox as the title of the book, "Breathing Under Water." Going to AA meetings is obviously a matter or trying to improve yourself, all the while realizing that it is impossible to improve yourself. It's a kind of preparation, and whether a change occurs, depends on, again using spiritual language, metaphors for the spirit (Holy), living water, blowing wind, descending flames, alighting doves. As I understand it, the change might not occur at all, or it might occur when least expected. It's an ongoing process, as is life itself. Joys and disappointments for anyone cannot be predicted; all that one can ask for is an openness to a mysterious future.
Back to the beginning which was one of those glib "what would Jesus do?" questions, I think Richard Rohr would agree that it would not be surprising to find Jesus at an AA meeting.
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Dan Bonner
Aug 16, 2012Dan Bonner rated it it was amazing
I thought this was an excellent book that I will reference over and over again. It forced me to think differently about certain things I spent my life time believing.
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Ellie
Jun 20, 2014Ellie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Shelves: spiritual, 2014indchalnge, non-fiction, addict-mental-illness
Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the 12 Steps, a small and wonderful book by one of my most favorite priests, Father Richard Rohr, is a reminder of, as a friend of mine says, "who we are and what we are"-beings founded in love who struggle to find that love which we are. Fr. Rohr looks at the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous in the light of the Gospel and Catholic faith and find a deeply spiritual path.
I was touched, refreshed, and challenged by this work. I started to list it on my "self-help" shelf but realized this book is anything but. It is how we ground ourselves in the otherness of God and love of others that we discover ourselves. We must work hard to achieve this but in the end, it is only achieved by letting go and an act of God. Luckily, I like paradox. (less)
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Bank
Nov 10, 2011Bank rated it it was ok
All students of the Twelve Steps know that God and spirituality are the foundation of a successful program of recovery . In this book, Fr. Rohr is making the valid case that many people in our society today are much like the unrecovered addict ( sans the drugs ) in their emotional and spiritual makeup. He makes the further point that many adherents of the Christian church ( I believe he is singling out Catholicism ) have not addressed their spiritual issues and emotional makeup with anything approaching the intensity of the 12 Step Program . In fact, I would agree .
The book may further convince believers , but I doubt it will sway any skeptics. There are none so blind as those who will not see. (less)
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Alison
Mar 22, 2015Alison rated it really liked it
This is a great book to grab when you find yourself in the grips of any sort of desire, addiction, or affliction, be it in the form of substance, compulsive behavior, or addictive thoughts. Those who, however, are still offended or wounded by dualistic religious or biblical experiences, will likely be turned off and stop after the first chapter (or page - each chapter begins with several quotes from scripture that correspond to the step the chapter is about). Those who choose to open themselves to the deeper meaning of these scriptural references and the wisdom with which Father Richard Rohr uses to extrapolate meanings and messages, will find riches here. Rohr calls the 12 Steps "America's most significant contribution to spirituality". I am intrigued by Bill Wilson's relationship and correspondence with Catholic priest Father Ed Dowling at the time of his evolutionary work on the 12 steps and his own personal journey (and the connections between the 12 steps and the 12 Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius). In Breathing Under Water, Fr. Richard is able to go into the depths to draw upon the connectivity between the 12 steps and the archetypal human journey of struggle and growth. I consider this a First Aid kit or "go to" book when I find myself in the grips of my very human self, helping to refresh my perspective and find the inspiration needed to get back on the path of my higher self. (less)
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Drew
Jan 07, 2017Drew rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Excellent book n the twelve steps for alcoholics and non-alcoholics alike. The last two chapters deserve to be re-read and re-read.
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Benjamin Shurance
May 14, 2021Benjamin Shurance rated it really liked it · review of another edition
I started reading this out of some ministerial curiosity about the 12 Steps. It ended up speaking a lot of words I needed to hear.
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Milt Jacobs
Oct 09, 2019Milt Jacobs rated it it was amazing
Good
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Andrew Doohan
Jan 29, 2013Andrew Doohan rated it really liked it · review of another edition
In his usual easily accessible style, Richard Rohr provides a study of the underlying spiritual dimension of the Twelve Step program used by organisations such as Alcoholics Anonymous and other similar groups.
The beauty of Rohr's exploration is that his exposition of the spiritual side of the Twelve Steps has much to offer those who wouldn't normally be exposed to the Twelve Steps, those who simply seek to live out their Christian journey with some degree of integrity.
For anyone who fits that category I would highly recommend this little book by Richard Rohr. (less)
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Joe Skillen
Jul 04, 2020Joe Skillen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Powerful
I will read this book again. As many times as it might take. It puts the whole of life together for me.
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Christy Robeson
Jan 24, 2021Christy Robeson rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Shelves: 2021
A book I didn't know I needed to read. (less)
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Patricia
Apr 05, 2021Patricia rated it it was amazing
Breathing Underwater was my choice for a Lenten discipline. Does it count as a discipline if you enjoyed it too much? I love Richard Rohr's down-to-earth explanations of who Christ was, how we are meant to FOLLOW Christ, to imitate him, not so much as cultic worshiping, with all sorts of "this is how you are supposed to do it."
In this book, Richard Rohr looks at the 12 Step Program for alcoholics, and draws lines between the steps and Jesus' example and the way the earliest Christians practiced following Christ.
Reading this book is, for me, like breathing underwater. It lifts burdensome constrictions which keep us from being fully who we are created to be, and urges us on in our discipleship of the living Christ. It revels in the humility of being humanly incapable of being without sin, while choosing to ask God to help us to do his will. I've already loaned this book out, and told the person I will need it back, both so I can loan it out again and so I can remind myself of who we are following, and how we are to follow, by being love, and giving love, including to ourselves. (less)
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Kailee Lelli
Mar 09, 2020Kailee Lelli rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Breathing Underwater had me hooked right away. It goes into detail about how your spiritual mindset will get you places you haven't been, especially with the twelve steps. Richard Rohr goes on about how the twelve steps are used in people's lives, and how whoever is reading this book can use it. It is a lovely book. I recommend this book to anyone (even if they do not need the 12 step study guide) who is looking for a closer relationship to God or want to know about how and why God loves each of us. (less)
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Kathleen
Mar 20, 2018Kathleen rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: faith, nonfiction, catholic, personal-development, recovery
Richard Rohr is definitely not orthodox Catholic, but he sure does have a lot of good things to say. I especially appreciate his views on recovery, as it really is a spiritual process and one that lines up perfectly with the Gospel. I didn't agree with everything in this book and there were a view times where he lost me a bit, but overall I underlined a lot of passages and it had a very positive impact on me. (less)
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Alison
Sep 12, 2021Alison rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
I'm a fan of Rohr and find most of his work inspiring, though some of his books are more approachable than others. Rooting this one in the familiar twelve step program makes it very approachable and creates a highly readable structure. I've always been fascinated with how the process of faith weaves through the 12 steps and have often contemplated its alignment with the gospel, so having Rohr put it all together into a package was a great experience that affirmed many of my existing thoughts but also challenged me to look inward in ways I hadn't expected. (less)
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Sarah
Nov 27, 2020Sarah rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
I already need to go back and re-read it! Rohr describes the 12 Steps as a technology for the sort of deep transformational work described by theologians from many world religions, although his primary focus is the Christian scriptures. Since he is a Franciscan, his take is really groovy and inclusive, though, so it is inspiring even of you're not a Christian. (less)
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Jim Keating
Apr 12, 2021Jim Keating rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Richard Rohr is brilliant, deep, a real authority on the Twelve Steps. Being new to the 12 Step world, particularly examining the challenging aspects of the spirituality undergirding it, and the wisdom in the simplicity of each step, has left me wanting more...so I'll read it again. A good friend has read it 5 times so I've got some catching up to do. It's a small book but not a quick read. Soak up every sentence and let it challenge you. (less)
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Mary Lynn Elker
Nov 20, 2020Mary Lynn Elker rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Very thought provoking. Will read again.
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Chris
Jul 20, 2020Chris rated it really liked it
Let's just start with my bias. I love Richie Rohr!
A highlight from this book for me was on the topic of self acceptance and surrender. I have often struggled with my own ability to communicate God's unconditional love and grace to others while holding to a different standard for myself (I was raised very much as a performance-based legalistic kind of Christian). So reading this book led me to a new kind of "conversion" experience as my eyes were opened a bit to how loving and trustworthy God is to me.
Another great section for me was about prayer. It's not about getting God to do stuff for me but "opting in" to the divine...participating in what God is up to.
Although his writing leans progressive and makes some conservative Christians nervous, I think it goes along way to helping people of faith realize some of the ways in which we idealize the Christian life but often fail to actually love God and others well.
Thanks for helping me learn to breathe some fresh air, Richie! (less)
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Jackie St Hilaire
Nov 27, 2016Jackie St Hilaire rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
One step at a time.
A few weeks ago I visited a man who has been following the 12 step program for over 20 years. On one of my visits I asked if we could go through the steps together and he picked up his book and began to read the steps one by one, flipping over the pages so fast that I didn't have a chance to dialogue with him. He read them, put the book down and that was it. This is a very depressed individual and full of guilt and shame, I was hoping to bring about a more shameless and guiltless approach.
During this time, I came across Richard Rohr's book "Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps and this is exactly what I needed to pursue my conversation with the man.
In visiting I always try to bring my own experience into the conversation and that is that most of us have some form of addiction going on and we are struggling to free ourselves from the guilt that has caused relationships to break down etc.
Richard Rohr, has given us direction on how to proceed, how to leave behind our negative, false self and move beyond and start living again.
It's not "been there done that", it's there 365 days a year and the motto "one day at a time" sometimes brings you to "one minute at a time".
For many of us it's why should I even get out of bed in the morning? We all need a purpose for living, meaning in our life, someone to care for and sometimes someone to care for us. It's a balancing act and it's not easy, many times we take one step forward and two steps backwards but the most important thing is not to give up,even if we are walking on our tiptoes. (less)
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ms.petra
Jan 07, 2019ms.petra rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
This book was the focus a small book club I was invited to join last fall. We meet once a week schedules and health permitting. We read out loud and discuss our thoughts and experiences honestly and profoundly. It is what I dreamed a book club would be and this book has helped me tremendously not only in my sobriety journey, but more importantly my spiritual journey. Fr. Rohr reminds us what Jesus taught. It is profoundly simple even though the big business of religion has made it otherwise. I highly recommend the accompanying workbook/journal to make the most of this powerful work. (less)
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Jim
Feb 29, 2012Jim rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Shelves: spirituality-religion, social-issues, jims-reviews, favorites
This was an amazing book - a great way to look at Christian spirituality and the 12 steps. It's an amazing paradigm shift from how we look at our spiritual lives today. The way Rohr delves into the 12 steps leaves the reader with a lasting impression. I borrowed this book from a priest friend on Kindle - but I think I'm going to have to purchase a physical copy for myself to re-read it. Highly recommended. (less)
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[eBook] 물 밑에서 숨 쉬기
리처드 로어 (지은이),이현주 (옮긴이)한국기독교연구소2020-02-03
원제 : Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps
책소개
저자는 먼저 우리 모두가 무엇에 중독되어 있는지를 밝힌다. 신자유주의의 치열한 경쟁과 부실한 종교가 초래한 “육신의 중독과 영혼 없는 사회” 속에서 알코올 중독자들처럼 난파당한 사람들만이 아니라, 우리 모두가 석유와 전쟁, 제국주의, 온갖 사회적 통념, 교회의 문화에 중독되어 있고, 무엇보다 우리 자신이 남과 비교하고 판단하고 힘을 행사하려는 에고중심적이며 이분법적인 사고방식에 중독되어 있다는 지적이다.
이처럼 우리 자신이 미처 의식하지도 못한 채 물에 빠져 익사당하는 인간의 조건과 문화 속에서 저자는 우리가 어떻게 물 밑에서 숨 쉬면서 견딜 수 있는지, 어떻게 구출될 수 있는지를 가르쳐준다. 이 책은 번뇌의 근원인 거짓 자아를 깨트리고 우주의 신비와 생명의 환희 속에 뛰어들 큰 꿈을 불러일으켜 준다. 날이 갈수록 더욱 척박해지는 현실에서 어떻게 자기를 살펴서 내적인 자유를 찾고 사회변혁을 위해 스스로 평화가 될 수 있는지를 일깨운다.
목차
머리말 __ 7
1장 힘없음 __ 25
2장 간절한 바람 __ 33
3장 달콤한 굴복 __ 45
4장 좋은 등불 __ 59
5장 자백하기와 용서받기 __ 67
6장 닭과 달걀, 누가 먼저인가? __ 81
7장 우리가 왜 구해야 하는가? __ 89
8장 빚 갚기 __ 99
9장 세련된 방식의 보상(報償) __ 109
10장 이것은 과잉 아닌가? __ 117
11장 새 마음, 새 사람 __ 129
12장 돌아온 것은 마땅히 돌려보내고 __ 143
후기 고통 받는 하느님만이 구원하실 수 있다 __ 159
참고문헌 __ 171
Study Guide __ 173
책속에서
알코올 중독자들의 무능함은 우리가 그것을 눈으로 쉽게 볼 수 있을 뿐이다. 나머지 우리들은 그것을 여러 다른 모양으로 위장하고 자기의 교묘하게 감춰둔 중독과 집착, 특히 자기의 사고방식(에고 중심적인 主體-客體라는 이분법적 사고방식 ? 역자주)에 대한 집착을 과잉보상하고 있는 것이다.(15쪽)
진실은 우리가 우리 자신의 가장 고약한 원수이고, 구원이란 근본적으로 자기 자신한테서 해방되는 것이다. 사람들은 자기 잘못을 인정하고 고치려 하기보다는 차라리 죽으려 하는 것처럼 보인다.(15-16쪽)
그리스도인들은 보통 진지하고 선의를 지닌 사람들이다. 에고, 통제, 권력, 돈, 쾌락 그리고 안전이라는 진짜 문제를 만나기 전까지는 그렇다. 다른 모든 사람들과 마찬가지로 그들은 우아하게 살려고 한다. 그동안 우리는 그들에게 자아의 깊은 변화 없는 가짜 복음을, 패스트푸드 종교를 제공하였다.(19쪽)
그래서 나는 네 가지 가설 아래 이 책을 쓴다.
우리 모두 중독자다. 인간 존재는 그 본성이 중독자다. 중독은 성경이 전통적으로 “죄”라 부르고 중세기 그리스도인들이 “정욕” 또는 “집착”이라고 부른 것을 정직하게 서술한 현대적 명칭이다. 우리가 이 착각과 올가미를 부수고 나오려면 진지한 대책 또는 수련이 필요하다는 것을 그들은 알았다. 실제로 신약성경은 그것을 “축귀(逐鬼)”라고 지칭하였다. 자기네가 비(非)이성적인 악 또는 “악마들”을 상대하고 있다고 생각했던 것이다.(21쪽)
밝은 깨달음은 많은 종교가 ‘믿음’이라고 가르치는 닫혀 있는 머리, 죽어 있는 가슴, 육체부정에 정반대다. 당신도 분명 이런 말을 들었을 것이다. “지옥을 겁내는 자들에 의해 종교가 살고, 지옥을 통과한 이들에 의해 영성이 산다.”
오늘날 세계에 무신론이 존재하는 가장 큰 이유는 아마도 대부분 종교들의 무해무독한 믿음체계 때문이지 싶다. 믿음체계는 신자가 아닌 사람들보다 더욱 강하고 자상하고 창조적인 사람들을 별로 만들어내지 못했으며, 흔히 훨씬 더 나쁜 사람들을 만들어냈기 때문이다.(34-35쪽)
솔직히 말해서 사람의 머리, 가슴, 몸을 열고 습관적 방어기제와 잘못된 행복 프로그램 그리고 눈앞의 분명한 현실을 외면하는 여러 형태의 저항들을 제거하는 일은 생명을 담보로 할 만큼 위험한 대수술이다. 하지만 그게 옹근 회심(回心)의 살과 뼈다.
(35쪽)
참 영성은 두 가지 큰 일을 동시에 이룬다. 하나는 하느님을 절대 자유로우신 분으로, 인간들이 무슨 짓을 해도 거기에 전혀 구애되지 않는 분으로 모시는 것이다. 다른 하나는 우리를 철저하게 자유로운 존재로, 어떤 환경에서도, 인간의 법과 죄와 한계와 실패 따위에도 강제되거나 억압당하지 않는 존재로 거듭나게 하는 것이다. “그리스도께서 우리를 해방시켜주셔서 우리는 자유의 몸이 되었습니다. 그러니 마음을 굳게 먹고 다시는 종의 멍에를 메지 마십시오”(갈라디아 5:1). 참 종교는 인간을 위하여 하느님을 자유롭게 해드리고, 하느님을 위하여 인간을 자유롭게 해준다.(150쪽) 접기
저자 및 역자소개
리처드 로어 (Richard Rohr) (지은이)
프란치스코회 신부로서 1986년에 “행동과 관상 센터”를 설립했으며, 초창기에는 몇 년 동안 미국과 독일에서 애니어그램을 가르치는 한편, 오랜 영적 지도와 상담, 특히 카톨릭 신부들을 위한 피정을 17년 넘게 인도하고, 앨버커키 교도소 지도신부로 14년 넘게 사목한 경험을 바탕으로 『불멸의 다이아몬드』, 『물밑에서 숨쉬기』, 『위쪽으로 떨어지다』 등 20여 권의 주옥같은 책을 발표하여, 많은 독자들에게 회심을 경험하도록 만들고 있다. 그의 삶과 글 속에는 “아름다움이 구원한다”는 동방교회 신학방법론과 성인 프란체스코의 적극적 평화주의가 배어 있어서, 세상과 교회 안에서 상처받은 모든 영혼들을 치유하며 온전한 성숙함으로 안내하기 때문이다. 그는 짐 월리스, 토머스 키팅, 랍 벨 등과 함께 미국의 대표적인 영적 지도자 가운데 한 사람이다. 그리스도교는 예수의 영향보다 플라톤의 영향을 더 많이 받아서 화육(성육신) 종교가 탈육신 종교로 둔갑했다고 보는 그는 토머스 머튼을 이어 관상 전통을 되살려내는 과업에 헌신했으며, 짐 월리스, 토머스 키팅, 랍 벨 등과 함께 미국의 대표적인 영적 지도자 가운데 한 사람으로 인정받고 있다. 접기
최근작 : <오직 사랑으로>,<보편적 그리스도>,<성경의 숨겨진 지혜들> … 총 224종 (모두보기)
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이현주 (옮긴이)
관옥觀玉이라고도 부르며, ‘이 아무개’ 혹은 같은 뜻의 한자 ‘무무无無’라는 필명을 쓰고 있다. 1944년 충주에서 태어나 감리교신학대학교를 졸업했다. 목사이자 동화작가이자 번역가이며, 교회와 대학 등에서 말씀도 나눈다. 동서양의 고전을 넘나드는 글들을 쓰고 있으며, 무위당无爲堂 장일순 선생과 함께 『노자 이야기』를 펴냈다. 옮긴 책으로 『지금 이 순간이 나의 집입니다』, 『너는 이미 기적이다』, 『틱낫한 기도의 힘』, 『그리스도의 계시들』 등이 있다.
최근작 : <관옥 이현주의 신약 읽기>,<관옥 이현주의 신약 읽기 (양장)>,<부모 되기, 사람 되기> … 총 269종 (모두보기)
출판사 제공 책소개
프란체스코의 평화주의 전통에서 교육을 받고 특히 카를 융의 분석심리학을 공부하여 40년 넘게 영적 지도와 상담을 해온 저자는 이 책에서 예수의 복음을 통한 치유, 자아의 변화, 내적 자유에 이르는 길을 단계별로 가르쳐준다. 예수의 복음이 어떻게 우리의 고통스러운 번뇌의 화살을 뽑아낼 깨달음에 이르게 하는지를 보여준다. 과거의 악몽과 현재의 불안, 불확실한 미래에 대한 끈질긴 염려에서 단지 벗어나는 길만이 아니라, 온전한 자유와 충만한 기쁨에 이르는 길을 “열두 단계”에 따라 보여주며, 장애물과 극복 방법을 제시한다. 저자는 먼저 우리 모두가 무엇에 중독되어 있는지를 밝힌다. 신자유주의의 치열한 경쟁과 부실한 종교가 초래한 “육신의 중독과 영혼 없는 사회” 속에서 알코올 중독자들처럼 난파당한 사람들만이 아니라, 우리 모두가 석유와 전쟁, 제국주의, 온갖 사회적 통념, 교회의 문화에 중독되어 있고, 무엇보다 우리 자신이 남과 비교하고 판단하고 힘을 행사하려는 에고중심적이며 이분법적인 사고방식에 중독되어 있다는 지적이다. 이처럼 우리 자신이 미처 의식하지도 못한 채 물에 빠져 익사당하는 인간의 조건과 문화 속에서 저자는 우리가 어떻게 물 밑에서 숨 쉬면서 견딜 수 있는지, 어떻게 구출될 수 있는지를 가르쳐준다. 이 책은 번뇌의 근원인 거짓 자아를 깨트리고 우주의 신비와 생명의 환희 속에 뛰어들 큰 꿈을 불러일으켜 준다. 날이 갈수록 더욱 척박해지는 현실에서 어떻게 자기를 살펴서 내적인 자유를 찾고 사회변혁을 위해 스스로 평화가 될 수 있는지를 일깨운다.
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Joel Harrington
A sculpture of Meister Eckhart in Germany. 
A sculpture of Meister Eckhart in Germany. 
Novelist Aldous Huxley frequently cited Eckhart, in his book, ‘The Perennialist Philosophy.’ 
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