The Shattered Lantern: Rediscovering a Felt Presence of God [Paperback]

Ronald Rolheiser (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 19, 2000

This book draws from a variety of stories and experiences to offer a spiritual antidote. The author suggests that the only way back to a lively faith is not a question of finding the right answers, but of living in a certain way, contemplatively.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

The Shattered Lantern has quickly become one of Crossroad's best-selling titles. In this pivotal work, Ronald Rolheiser shines new light on the contemplative path of Western Christianity and offers a dynamic way forward. Now with short reflection guide. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

RONALD ROLHEISER is an Oblate of Mary Immaculate who lives in Toronto and serves on the General Council of his order in Rome. Prior to this appointment, he taught systematic theology and spirituality. His regular column in the Catholic Herald is featured in newspapers in five different countries. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 206 pages
• Publisher: Crossroad; New Edition edition (December 19, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0824518845
• ISBN-13: 978-0824518844
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,263,004 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

169 of 170 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spiritual reading at its best, May 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Shattered Lantern, The: Rediscovering the Felt Presence of God (Paperback)

In this first book by Father Rolheiser he writes a clear and concise guide for those of us walking the contemporary and contemplative path.

He contends that "today we, the children of Western culture, post-modern, adult children of the enlightenment, struggle with practical atheism. Our consciousness is clouded with narcissism, pragmatism, and unbridled restlessness so much so, that we are contemplatively asleep. The road back is not a question of finding the right answers, but in living in a certain way. To approach reality and relationships with a certain set of attitudes. A proper praxis. And, like the Virgin Mary, after a certain gestation process, eventually you will give birth to Jesus. God enters the world as the conclusion of a gestation process.We must live in such a way that we give birth to God in our lives."

He routinely urged me to check my own comfort zone, such as "Endeavor to constantly discern your motivation, that is, be suspicious when the glory of God and your own glory habitually harmonize" and "Enter into the vulnerability of Christ, into his unwillingness to protect himself against pain as he fulfills God's will."

I found his observations about the church and religion today on the mark. His work is very readable and yet I found myself rereading a passage over and over because of the succinct, sometimes gritty, penetrating message. He makes the point that the journey takes time, practice and an ever vigilant opening of your heart. An excellent book that you will read over and over again.

107 of 109 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recover a Vital Sense of God in Our Lives, July 16, 2002

By 

GRB "christian_hedonist" (Sacramento, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Shattered Lantern: Rediscovering a Felt Presence of God (Paperback)

Nietzsche once wrote, "God is dead!" Rolheiser responds, "No!" We simply are blind! If we could only remove the scales from our eyes, we would be able to see Him everywhere in our ordinary existence. Rolheiser states that the scales can be removed through contemplation, allowing us to see God "face to face."

This is a very spiritual book with great insights on the discipline of contemplation. Along with prayer and meditation, contemplation is one of the most effective ways of getting closer to God. This book helps the reader learn, understand and live the contemplative life.

"Blessed are the pure at heart, for they shall see God." Unfortunately, few of us are pure at heart. Rolheiser posits most believers rarely, if ever, see God in their lives. Something is wrong with us. This book first describes in some detail why we are not fully aware of God in our lives - excessive narcissism, pragmatism and restlessness are the culprits. Our perception is distorted because we lack the perspective of the contemplative: an infinite horizon where God is the background to all our ordinary experiences. Simply put, most lack the ability to see beyond their own heartaches and headaches.

The book then turns to the three main contemplative traditions in Western Christianity, the mystical tradition exemplified by John of the Cross, the Protestant contemplative tradition, and the philosophical tradition of Theism. Rolheiser does an excellent job of summarizing all three.

The book ends by succinctly explaining the spiritual exercises we can undertake to help purify our hearts, expand our awareness and reacquire a childlike heart of wonder and awe.

Read this book. Become a contemplative. See and feel God everywhere!

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Shattered Lantern, June 26, 2006

By 

Ellen R. Connelly - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Shattered Lantern: Rediscovering a Felt Presence of God (Paperback)

Rolheiser provides real insights in to why so many people are unable to see God as being active in their lives . His thought provoking discussions make one realize that living a contemplative life is far more than simply setting aside time for silence and meditation . He challenges the reader to be contemplative in the midst of a life of constant activity . Great book for group study .