By Richard Rohr - Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life

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Falling UpwardsRichard Rohr, Franciscan Priest and Founder of the Centre for Action and Contemplation, has written a book here aimed at those entering, in or interested in ‘the second half of life.’This is not, however, a self-help manual with spiritual homilies for those affected by mid-life crisis. It is a profound exploration of religion, philosophy and Jungian psychology in relation to the theme of maturity, especially spiritual maturity.The key argument of this work is that in the first half of our lives we quite naturally focus on defining our individual identity, we work out what our values are, what matters to us, and guard them vigorously. We are focussed on ambition, achievement, and the avoidance of weakness in our quest. If we encounter the ‘other’ we pity it, flee from it or fight it. To do this we are our own ‘loyal soldier.’But, Father Rohr argues, in the second half of our lives we must discharge our loyal soldier, as we are called into a new, more expansive journey. In other words, we have been focussing on building the container, and that was a right and necessary thing to do. Now our quest is to fill it.We do this through embracing ‘second half of life wisdom,’ seeing things in a new, non-dualistic way. Often there will have been a fall or series of falls to get us to this point, the life experiences that take us down so we can be built anew; redundancy, bereavement, relationship failure and other such trauma. But the key is that our scope and understanding is widened, we are more ‘us’ than ‘I,’ and we embrace difference rather than attack it, as we are now confident enough and large enough to ‘let go’ of our own ego superstructures or / and ‘individual faith projects.’I am mangling Richard Rohr’s thinking here in my rush to summarise so please excuse me. He draws on a range of sources and learning including Homer’s Odyssey, the writings of the early Christian Mystics, the Gospels and scripture, the work of Carl Jung and his experiences as Franciscan Father and Prison Chaplain. He does this to describe this incredible adventure of spiritual awakening and discovery that is there for us all should we wish to embrace it. It does take work, which includes ‘shadow-work,’ or ‘shadow-boxing,’ that is recognising and coming to terms with the darkness in us all, if we are to progress. Sickness comes, in this view, from trying to hold on to the first half of life or ‘loyal soldier’ and deny the second. Or trying to do the second too early.This is a rich and rewarding read and its beautifully written. Rohr has a gift for presenting complex ideas and thought in a clear and accessible way, without blunting their edge. Rohr has his detractors, and if you prefer the certainties of fundamentalism, or like your ‘us and them’ politics and certainties then you will be riled. But then that is the point. This is a book to challenge as well as nourish.

I was recommended this book by a friend who I respect greatly but who has much stronger religious beliefs than me.I've tried very hard to read it but concluded that it is only written for believers even though the author would disagree.The narrative goes round in circles without making any new points and I found that so many of his points depended solely on interpretation without any evidence to back them up.I felt that I was being lectured to and came away from it feeling cross that I had wasted my time.

Great! Like talking to a friend, finding out you already there, makes the world brighter!

An invaluable You are here guide for those who have fallen through the floor. Broad ranging in sources and ideas but basically wise about the spiritual path in a way that opens your eyes when most confused and even disheartened.