Customer Reviews

Open the Door: A Journey to the True Self

5 star:		(16)
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2 star:		(1)
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I began this book just as we had said good bye to our dear son-in-law for his deployment to Iraq. Our lives were filled with sadness and worry. Joyce's book offers hope, possibilities, and openness to change. What lies ahead, none of us knows. Her continuous theme of being open to adventures that are part of change filled me with hope. The analogy of the door is all encompassing: the door to our hearts (first) and then the doors to opportunities. I must embrace the changes that are just on the other side of the door. Joyce reminds us through her stories, poem, and suggestions for reflection that possibilities are endless if we are open to them.

This is one of the most eye-opening books hat I have read in recent years. It must be read quietly and meditatively so take your time when you read it. There is much richness and food for thought in this book.

Joyce Rupp is not only a master at writing on spiritual topics but she lives them...and that is evident in this book especially through her sharings. I am using this book as a Lenten retreat with three different groups: 8 women on Tuesday mornings during Lent; 30 people on Mondays; 10 people on Sundays. Everyone is looking forward to our gatherings! Thank you, Joyce, for a book that opens all kinds of doors especially the door to the heart so that we can access our loving God!

It has taken me some time to pray through this book. I find it sometimes takes me three days to work through one day. (*: I am just finishing Week 4, and have learned things about myself, though I am old enough to know myself quite well! I enjoy Sr. Joyce Rupp's sharing her personal life experiences which help me see my own life experience through different facets. I often have seen God's hand work through her writings, and to me, this is one of her best! I am definitely blessed by this book and recommend it for spiritual growth.

I am using this book with a group of 8 women. They pray with the material and then we meet once a week to discuss it and use the group sharing ideas in the back of the book. Would highly recommend it.

Joyce Rupp has done it again. Her combination of Scripture, poetry and her good guidance can enable anyone to travel 'within' and companion his/her Spirit on their life's journey. Wonderful Joyce, thanks again. C

I have just signed up for a 5 week program using this book and my thoughts on the book is that it is poetic and filled with a new age look at life. My wife calls it the "Tyranny of nice"....... My thoughts are that if you are into doing the hard work of opening doors you would be better off using the books written by John Powell SJ. The book has you doing rituals in the beginning that fit more into the end of the Process when you have done the hard work as a group and know each other. I had just finished reading one of my old issues of Parabola titled the threshold which discusses doors and thresholds and it deals on the cautions involved in opening some doors. Like all books of this type it forgets that you cannot have a feeling without a thought. It does not deal with attitudes which can be far from the truth but focuses more on this magical internal self which can be a false way of thinking. It mixes Sufi,Buddhist,Hindu and the teachings of Jesus without what led to these teachings. An aside if you want to open doors with a Buddhist flavor read the book Happiness which mixes meditative discipline with scientific thinking.

"Open the Door" by Joyce Rupp helped me dive deeper into my spiritual life. Her questions are keys to opening doors that may be stuck, may be difficult to open, doors that are hidden or avoided. For if you want to engage in a six week process that invites you to explore your inner worlds, this book is a must.

Joyce Rupp at her best. I've had the privilidge of hearing Joyce at a conference. This book helps me to "hear" her once again.

The best I have found for meditation. It helps you open the door to spirituality