Immortal Diamond – Richard Rohr (Summary)
Introduction
Richard Rohr’s Immortal Diamond: The Search for Our True Self (2013) is a contemplative exploration of Christian spirituality, identity, and transformation. Rohr contrasts the ‘false self’ - the egoic identity built around social roles, fears, and attachments - with the ‘true self,’ the indestructible soul rooted in God.
The False Self
The false self is the constructed identity shaped by culture, expectations, and ego. It is necessary for navigating life but becomes a problem when mistaken for our deepest identity. This self is fragile, defensive, and destined to pass away.
The True Self
The true self is our essence in God - unchanging, infinite, and eternal. Rohr identifies this with the ‘immortal diamond,’ the image of God within each person. Discovering the true self brings peace, freedom, and union with divine love.
Death and Resurrection
Christianity’s central mystery of death and resurrection is not only a future hope but a present pattern of transformation. By dying to the false self and its illusions, we awaken to the resurrected life of the true self here and now.
Transformation Through Letting Go
Spiritual growth requires surrender, detachment, and openness. Rohr encourages readers to release fear, control, and false securities so that God can reveal the immortal diamond within.
Scripture and Tradition
Rohr grounds his teaching in the Bible, especially Paul’s writings about being ‘in Christ.’ He also draws from mystics such as Thomas Merton, Teresa of Ávila, and Meister Eckhart, showing how the wisdom of the ages points to the same discovery of the true self.
Practical Implications
Living from the true self transforms how we relate to others, to suffering, and to the world. It frees us from fear of death and allows us to live with compassion, courage, and joy. The journey is not about escaping life but inhabiting it more fully in God’s presence.
Conclusion
In Immortal Diamond, Richard Rohr offers a roadmap for spiritual transformation. The false self, while necessary, must ultimately give way to the true self, the immortal diamond hidden within each of us. This discovery aligns with the heart of Christian mysticism: union with God through love.