The Divine Dance (eBook, EPUB)

The Divine Dance has become a classic for fans of Richard Rohr and an important book on Christian mysticism, it provides a fresh perspective for anyone studying or teaching the trinity.The Trinity is the central doctrine of Christianity, but it is still widely considered a mystery we won't ever fully understand. Should we still try to understand it, even so? If we could, how would it transform our relationship with God?In this stimulating and thought-provoking book, internationally recognised teacher Richard Rohr explores the nature of God and the paradoxical idea of the Holy Trinity as both three and one. With clear, surefooted wisdom, he encourages us to build on the early Christian understanding of the relationship between Father, Son and Spirit as a flow and dance - a Divine Dance - that we are invited to join in.An engaging, accessible look at the nature of God, The Divine Dance will challenge the way you think about the Trinity and give you a much fuller understanding of the triune relationship that is at the heart of Christian doctrine. It will leave you with a faith that is renewed and strengthened, and show you how you can engage more deeply in your relationship with God and the world through the Trinity.

Part I

Wanted: A Trinitarian Revolution

Spiritual Paradigm Shift 35

Dusting Off a Daring Doctrine 40

Math Problems 42

The Relationship Is the Vehicle 44

Metaphors Be with You! 47

A Mirrored Universe 49

Vulnerability 57

Young Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast MIA Table God Shift Doctrine Problems Vehicle You! Vulnerability

Weak WisdomM59

The Delight of Diversity 61

The World in a Word 64

Reshaping Our Image 66

Atomic Bonds 68

Creator and Destroyer of Worlds 70

Aristotle and Boethius: The Price of an Invading Noun 74

Scotus and Merton: Time to Re-verb 75

The Perfect Freedom of God 76

Creative Continuation 78

Paradigms Lost 79

Distinct Union 83

Tide Boxes at Kmart 86

Loving All the Wrong People 88

Emptiness Alone Is Prepared for Fullness 90

The Space Between 91

How the Law of Three Changes Everything 92

Is the Trinity a Boy or a Girl? 94

The Power of Concentric Circles 95

Richard of St. Victor and the Joy Supreme 98

The Paradox of Restlessness and Contentment 102

Body-Based Knowing 104

The Many Belong in the One 108

Accessing the Divine Force Field 111

Always Creating Otherness 113

Next 117

Part II

Why the Trinity? Why Now?

Three Reasons for Recovery 121

What Holds Us Back from Genuine Spiritual Experience? 122

Two Ways to Break Through 124

Suffering's Surprising Sustenance 127

At-One-Ment 131

What About the Wrath of God? 136

Expanding Our Horizons 140

Silence: Father 142

The Living Manifestation: The Christ 145

The Dynamism Within and Between: Holy Spirit 146

TDD-Trinity Deficit Disorder 147

Absentee Father 148

Son: Have You Seen Me? 149

The Relentless Drive of the Spirit 150

Inside-Out Prayer 151

Primal Prayer 154

Transcendence Deficit Disorder 155

Interfaith Friendship 157

Do We Have to Talk About Sin? 160

Entering By Another Door 161

Being There 163

An Amazing Chain of Being 164

Trinity in Eternity Past 164

The Wildest Wave Alive 167

Real Presence 169

Being and Becoming 169

Essential Ecstasy 170

Too Good to Be True? 172

The Incarnation Is the Gospel 174

Bleeding and Forbearing 176

The Great Attractor 179

Part III

The Holy Spirit

Wholly Reconciling 185

The Divine Energy 186

Everything Is Holy Now 189

Acknowledgments 195

Appendix: Experiencing the Trinity: Seven Practices 199

About the Authors 219