The Holy Longing: The Search for A Christian Spirituality

Fr. Rolheiser's writing style leaves a lot to be desired. The over use of the comma is maddening. Perhaps much of the text is taken from lectures and was never adapted to the page.

The style is often reminiscent of a self-help book; one idea is repeated until you no longer care about his point.

As far as content goes, it is a bit distracting to have a Catholic priest referring to sexuality, eros and genitalia when trying to focus our search for Christianity.

Maybe I missed something here, but it was not the right book for me.

If I were to offer a suggestion to anyone who feels ambiguous about "spirituality" or "the soul", read the first 4 chapters of this book. For those interested in understanding why we struggle so powerfully to choose God over other diversions, read this book. I loved the descriptions of our soul "holding us together". Rohlheiser calls this "Jesus table-talk". I agree.

For me, this book simultaneously inspired greater spiritual mysticism & greater adherence to orthodox religion. Highly recommended. Father Rolheiser naturally writes with a Roman Catholic viewpoint, so familiarity with that point of view & terminology helps when reading the book.

Great, deep...challenging. His thoughts on the "finished symphony" and chastity, particularly, have stayed with me. Oh, and the whole paschal mystery thing - wow.

Beautifully written and easy to understand. Full of simple but purposeful examples. Intelligent but written for the common person, so that everyone has a fair shot at expanding their spirituality.

It would not be a mistake to retitle this book Handbook of the Soul.

Up front the author lets you know this book is for people that are searching. If you have questions about longing and passion, if you have ever been kept up at night by questions regarding the state of your soul, this book may be a great encouragement to you.

Rolheiser clearly and convincingly gives you a tour of your own soul, illuminating some of the puzzling dark areas of your emotional life. Rolheiser writes from the perspective of a practicing Catholic priest, but his thinking and ideas, certainly challenged my stereotypes of that peculiar calling and religion.

If there is any weak areas in the book, and understand me, it is a great book, it is when he tries to justify confession of sins to priests, and the necessity of boring church rituals, in which case his arguments do not have the same strength as the rest of the book.

What is spirituality? Because of this book I think I can reach a place of peaceable restlessness.

A great book to read and reread again and again! The book contains enough material to make you think, but is written not like a scholarly book but as an extra long homily; making it easier to digest the information.

This book is excellent for anyone who is interested in understanding or developing their own sense of spirituality. It's not a "feel-good" book; I enjoy this book because of the actual substance this book contains.

Excellent. I do not agree with all of Rolheiser's theology, or assertions, but he certainly takes a good look at the human heart and soul. Put aptly by his quote of Augustine, "You have made us for yourself, Lord, and our hearts are restless until we return" (yes, that's a paraphrase). I would suggest this book to anyone, regardless of background, who knows that their soul is being stirred, even if you don't know what for.

A must read for anyone with questions about Chastity. Very readable and very enlightening. I highly recommend it to everyone.

This book is so well written and brings such clarity to the desires we all share. His focus on desire and integration in the soul for a fullness of spiritual satisfaction really rings true with me and has helped me hone my passions. Loving it.