The Relational Soul: Moving from False Self to Deep Connection
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
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 readers 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.
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- Brings together concepts from psychology and spiritual formation.
- Includes introductory stories and practical questions to help readers.
- Teaches us how to be present to God and present to others.
- 1. Our Relational Reality
- 2. Learning to Relate Starts Early in Life
- 3. Memory: Our Relational Control Center
- 4. The Reactive False Self: A Mistrusting Soul
- 5. God?s Particular Presence
- 6. The Receptive True Self: A Trusting Soul
- Interlude: Before We Move Forward
- 7. Self-Understanding: Connecting Head and Heart
- 8. Community: Fostering Soulful Relationships
- 9. Relational Engagement with God
- 10. Does Anyone Really Change?
- Appendix 1: Additional Reading
- Appendix 2: Making a Life Map
- Appendix 3: An Overview of the Enneagram
- Appendix 4: A Guide for Group Discussion
Relational Soul teaches us how to be present to God and present to others—in our marriages, in our homes, in our ministries and in our entire lives. Plass and Cofield blaze a trail, not only for pastors and leaders who are beat-up and burned out, but for all followers of Christ to rediscover their first love. This book is an effective tool to help guide and direct us back to the soul-changing good news found in Jesus Christ. I'm personally thankful for these two gospel wizards, Plass and Cofield, and the gospel magic that they perform. Their fresh insights and encouragements are hope for us all.
--Daniel Montgomery, pastor, Sojourn Community Church
You are holding in your hands more than a book. Richard Plass and James Cofield have given us a roadmap to help us find the way to each other and to the heart of God. Beautifully written, masterfully developed and applicable for those who want true community but have not tasted it yet, this book helps us find our way to each other in an age of isolation, loneliness and existence in silos where we survive but we do not thrive. Here's to thriving!
--Stephen W. Smith, Potter's Inn Ministry, author of The Lazarus Life
Jim Cofield and Rich Plass are a gift to the church. These men and the content in this book were God's means to save my life and ministry after severe burnout. Drawing on the riches of God's common grace and special grace, The Relational Soul provides what is lacking in much of modern spiritual formation. Your soul will be better off if you take seriously the content of these pages.
--Harvey Turner, Living Stones Church, and network director of Acts 29 West
- Title: The Relational Soul: Moving from False Self to Deep Connection
- Authors: James Cofield, Richard Plass
- Publisher: IVP
- Print Publication Date: 2014
- Logos Release Date: 2023
- Pages: 185
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Interpersonal relations › Religious aspects--Christianity
- ISBNs: 9780830896516, 9780830835874, 0830835873, 0830896511
- Resource ID: LLS:9780830896516
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-06T20:59:10Z