The Relational Soul

Moving from False Self to Deep Connection

De: Richard Plass, James Cofield

Narrado por: Stephen Bel Davies

What does loneliness tell us?

"Be it chronic or acute, slight or significant, loneliness is proof of our relational design. At the core of our being is this truth - we are designed for and defined by our relationships," former pastors Plass and Cofield write. "We were born with a relentless longing to participate in the lives of others. Fundamentally, we are relational souls."

Our ability to make deep and emotionally satisfying connections rests on the capacity to trust, and we all know trust can be difficult. Early-life relational "programming" and patterns of attachment can serve as blueprints for relationships later in life, whether good or bad. But no matter our conditioning, God is out to reclaim and restructure the deepest terrain of the human soul by helping us shed our reactive "False Self" and put on our receptive "True Self". Through spiritual disciplines and a conscious participation in the love of the Father, Son, and Spirit, we transform our self-awareness and our connection with other people.

Authored by counselor Dr. Richard Plass and spiritual director James Cofield, The Relational Soul brings together concepts from psychology and spiritual formation. Each chapter includes introductory stories and practical "If this is true, what about you?" questions to help listeners engage in relationships in more life-giving ways. When the presence of Christ and community connects with a soul that is open, we witness the miracle of transformation.

©2014 Richard Plass and James Cofield (P)2018 Tantor

The relational soul

Very insightful and the examples presented are useful and helps reader to understand the concept or truth.

Really understood that sin is living in my false self. Great encouragement to tell my story

So much wonderful useful information to being closer to God and having more deeper connections in my life

Must listen

By the time it ends, freedom can be yours. Hang with it though. The middle part is a bit slower, but worth it at the end

Life changing

This book is life changing and a must read for everyone. Especially those interesting in unpacking how our relationships are formed

A truly in-depth practical guide to the Gospel of Jesus the Christ

If you’ve been a Christian for awhile, you might know what it’s like to become disillusioned with Christian living. If you’re hungering for more than cheapened surface-level connection with the Living God, or, if you’ve never experienced any lasting deep connection with Him, this book might be for you. If you want to go deeper with Christ, this book can really help you. Been hurt by the church? Struggling to shed the chains of past hurts? Same besetting sins keep plaguing you? Same relationship patterns keep surfacing in your life? Don’t wait. Take a listen to this, and then find a trusted friend or group to go through it with.

Profound insights into the human creation!

I have found this book to be true, and massively helpful for me and others!

for being real and known

this book is helpful and full of important information to sper a deeper and more meaningful life with God and others. this is not for those who are not serious and ready to do hard work. I appreciate the authors candour about how transformation can happen but not fast and not easy.

If Filter out the misogyny and homophobia,it has good ideas

This is a good description of the way attachment theory MAY create positive or negative impacts on a person’s relationships. The authors go so far as to say one’s personal attachment style may affect their relationship with God. I learned quite a bit and agree with the general principles. Like many books written by conservative authors, the book uses examples of homosexual encounters as a reference to “false self”. I think a healthier view of sexuality is that shame about sexual attraction can lead to limiting intimacy. As a physician, I worry that the homophobia in these examples causes much more harm than good. I hope this is rewritten some day to be more inclusive to all in our community.