The Restless Heart: Finding Our Spiritual Home in Times of Loneliness

by Ronald Rolheiser

Book Overview

A thoughtful exploration of loneliness, in the tradition of Henri Nouwen's classic Reaching Out. Loneliness may be more pervasive now than at any other time in human history. Cell phones and "instant... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385511140
• ISBN13: 9780385511148
• Release Date: May 2004
• Publisher: Doubleday Religion
• Length: 193 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.8" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

Most Inspiring

One of my favorite authors. Very sound theology. Direct and to the point! Very helpful insights.

the restless heart

great insight into the effects of loneliness i.e. restlessness and how to turn it positive. knowledge and understanding is the key.

Loneliness - Our Driving Force to Heaven

We've all heard that there are two sides of everything. In this book, Fr. Rolheiser shows the reader that loneliness can be crippling but channeled correctly can be a creative force in one's life. I like the way he starts with defining what loneliness is, then moves on to the different causes of loneliness and the kinds of loneliness. He doesn't present a treatise on how to cure loneliness but more of a gentle leading that makes the reader understand that as human beings separated momentarily from our Creator, we will always have a touch of loneliness to be back in our forever home. This book also offers insight on how loneliness affects even our most basic relationships like loneliness can cause overpossesiveness that drives people away instead of closer or being too eager to please can make people uncomfortable. In the end, Fr. Rolheiser concludes that we are destined to feel some loneliness because of our separation from God but that same loneliness is the driving force that makes us reach out for Him and others.

Awesome

Hard to put into words the insights of this book. I have had answers to questions I have had for years about loneliness and isolation that as a christian is part of the walk. All I can say is read the book. No formulas here(ie pray more, read bible more, etc) but really helpful insights. Cannot reccomend this book enough.

This is a great book

I got this book in the library, but I am going to buy it, because I liked it so much. So what, if it is a reprint. Books get reprinted for a reason. Exploring the universal condition loneliness, it goes way beyond this fashonable self-help stuff (join a social club, become a volunteer). It cuts through to the very heart of the matter. We are lonely, because we are alienated and seperated from our true nature: We are spiritual beings, we are Soul, we are a spark of God. And as long as we don't recognize our true nature, no amount of entertainment or volunteering will ease our pain. This is, what the book is about, and I could not agree more.