Touching the Rock Summary, PDF, EPUB, Audio

Q: What is *Touching the Rock* about?

*Touching the Rock* (1990) is John M. Hull’s memoir about adapting to blindness after losing his sight in 1983. It explores the psychological shifts of “deep blindness,” including diminished visual memory, redefined relationships, and spiritual questions. Hull documents daily challenges like navigating spaces without sight and reinterpreting biblical metaphors in his theological work.

Q: What practical advice does Hull offer blind readers?

Key insights include: - **Environmental navigation**: Trusting echo patterns for spatial mapping - **Social coping**: Directly addressing sighted people’s discomfort - **Self-care**: Embracing assistive tools without shame

Touching the Rock

John M. Hull

3.97 (454 Reviews)

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Psychology

Philosophy

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FAQs

Journey into blindness through Hull's extraordinary memoir, endorsed by neurologist Oliver Sacks. This landmark text transformed disability studies by revealing the profound psychological landscape of losing sight. What sensory gifts emerge when vision disappears? A powerful testament to human adaptation.

What is Touching the Rock about?

Touching the Rock (1990) is John M. Hull’s memoir about adapting to blindness after losing his sight in 1983. It explores the psychological shifts of “deep blindness,” including diminished visual memory, redefined relationships, and spiritual questions. Hull documents daily challenges like navigating spaces without sight and reinterpreting biblical metaphors in his theological work.

Who should read Touching the Rock?

This book appeals to readers interested in disability memoirs, theologians studying sensory deprivation’s impact on faith, and psychology enthusiasts exploring neuroplasticity. Oliver Sacks praised it as “the first great account of blindness”. It’s particularly valuable for caregivers supporting blind individuals.

Is Touching the Rock worth reading?

Yes – it ranks among the most cited first-person accounts of blindness for its raw honesty and theological depth. Hull’s observations about spatial awareness, parental challenges, and sensory compensation (e.g., using auditory cues) make it a seminal text in disability studies.

What does “deep blindness” mean in Touching the Rock?

Hull coins “deep blindness” to describe the complete erosion of visual memory and mental imagery over time. He details losing the ability to recall loved ones’ faces or imagine landscapes, forcing him to rebuild identity through sound, touch, and abstract thought.

How does John Hull’s faith evolve in Touching the Rock?

Initially struggling with anger toward God, Hull reinterprets biblical stories through blindness. He critiques sight-centric religious metaphors (e.g., “light vs darkness”) and develops a theology valuing inner spiritual perception over physical sight.

What practical advice does Hull offer blind readers?

Key insights include:

Environmental navigation: Trusting echo patterns for spatial mapping
Social coping: Directly addressing sighted people’s discomfort
Self-care: Embracing assistive tools without shame

How does Touching the Rock describe parenting while blind?

Hull recounts painful moments like being unable to visually recognize his children, compensating through voice recognition and tactile bonding. He emphasizes fostering independence in kids while navigating parental guilt.

What critiques exist about Touching the Rock?

Some theologians argue Hull overemphasizes blindness’s isolating aspects, neglecting communal support systems. Others note the memoir focuses more on adaptation than systemic disability advocacy.

How does Touching the Rock compare to Hull’s In the Beginning There Was Darkness?

While both analyze blindness’s theological implications, Touching the Rock is autobiographical, whereas In the Beginning… critically examines biblical texts’ bias against blindness. Together, they form a holistic study of disability and faith.

What iconic quotes appear in Touching the Rock?

Notable passages include:

On perception: “Blindness is a way of being – not a lack of being”
On faith: “God became sound, vibration, the tremor in the air”
On identity: “I am now a body without eyes”

Why is Touching the Rock relevant in 2025?

With AI-assisted navigation tools reshaping blind accessibility, Hull’s human-centered insights remain vital for evaluating technology’s role in disability. His work also informs current debates about neurodiversity in religious institutions.

Where can I buy Touching the Rock?

The memoir is available in print, audiobook, and braille formats from major retailers like Barnes & Noble. Some blindness advocacy groups offer discounted access.

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Into the Darkness: A Journey of Transformation

00:00

Imagine waking up to discover your visual world is slowly fading away, like a photograph gradually losing its colors until only darkness remains. This was John Hull's reality as he documented his descent into complete blindness in his forties. What makes his account extraordinary isn't just the precision with which he chronicles this journey, but the profound philosophical depths he explores. This isn't merely a tale of overcoming adversity - it's a meditation on consciousness itself, examining how losing sight fundamentally transforms one's relationship with reality, identity, and spirituality. Hull's transition from being "a sighted person who cannot see" to becoming "a blind person" offers us a rare window into how perception shapes our very being. His insights have influenced artists, psychologists, and filmmakers worldwide, with Oliver Sacks calling it "the most extraordinary, precise, deep and beautiful account of blindness" he had ever read.

When Light Disappears: The Initial Descent

A New Sensory World: Rain as Revelation

The Inner Struggle: Dreams and Despair

Beyond Light: Spiritual Insights

Fatherhood Without Sight: Love Through Touch

The Gift of Darkness: A New Way of Being

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@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

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"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

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"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

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Touching the Rock by John M. Hull Summary

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Overview of its author - John M. Hull

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Into the Darkness: A Journey of Transformation