Twitter Facebook Link Print. When we get there, we are never sure just how it happened, and God does not seem to care who gets the credit, as long as our growth continues. In Falling Upward, Fr Richard Rohr offers a new understanding of one of life’s most profound mysteries: how our failing can be the foundation for our ongoing spiritual growth. And great to offer the suggestion of another book instead…, This was a tough review to write because I’ve appreciated some of his writings on the Enneagram and on men’s journeys. In Falling Upward, Father Richard Rohr offers a new way of understanding one of the most profound of life's mysteries: how our failing can be the foundation for our ongoing spiritual growth. Too wordy, could have used less words and made it clearer. Without having reading this book (or any of Rohr’s), the ideas about union, and about Adam and Eve, sound like they might be drawing on the early church fathers (e.g. ". Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Yet I wonder if the grace Rohr speaks of can be meaningful without there being a real judgment. I’ll be honest. I facilitate a spiritual book study group that meets weekly. ( Log Out / That’s just the opposite of what you first think when you fall, fail, or lose. I have just completed reading Falling Upward by Richard Rohr. I am glad I did. Filter by . Read more. Book report on Falling Upward by Richard Rohr, Bjossey-Bass books, 2011 by: L. J. Martini 2015 I put this book in the category of “gain-to-give” self-help spiritual books. Richard Rohr seeks to help readers understand the tasks of the two halves of life and to show them that those who have fallen, failed, or "gone down" are the only ones who understand "up. (Review from the author) 9/1: FALLING UPWARD is now live! reviewed by Lauren F. Winner August 16, 2011 Franciscan priest Richard Rohr—author of, among other titles, The Naked Now and From Wild Man to Wise Man —has written his most sage, most important book yet. He is well-known for his many books and recorded teachings. At the time, I got a review copy from SPCK for free, and subsequently (not linked!) Certainly, our consciousness can be “heavenly” or “hellish.” Views like this have become popular of late, perhaps as alternatives to ugly forms of “hell fire preachers”. Richard Rohr God. Falling Upward by Richard Rohr was published by SPCK in August 2012 and is our 1164th best seller. 20 of the best book quotes from Falling Upward #1 “Let’s state it clearly: One great idea of the biblical revelation is that God is manifest in the ordinary, in the actual, in the daily, in the now, in the concrete incarnations of life, and not through purity codes and moral achievement contests, which are seldom achieved anyway.” persons. "The Companion Journal helps those who have (and those who have not) read Falling Upward to engage more deeply … This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life (16pt Large Print Edition) Published February 16th 2012 by ReadHowYouWant Paperback, 340 pages Author(s): Richard Rohr. If you can find grace or freedom in and through that falling, you find that it moves you forward, upward, broader, deeper, better—to growth. Richard Rohr spoke to me on every page of this short volume. I underline what I like. I had never read anything by Rohr before, but kept seeing references to his work, and decided to go into by non-existent book budget and order this one. This message of falling down and in fact moving up is the most counterintuitive message in most of the world religions, including and most especially Christianity. 5 min read “…every time God forgives us, God is saying that God’s own rules do not matter as much as the relationship that God wants to create with us.” [This book] explains why the second half of life can and should be full of spiritual richness. This book really has nothing to do with age. One involves restoration of what was lost through the cross. Select Your Cookie Preferences. ... LA WEEKLY - GO! Rohr calls this the quiet workings of grace: "God has to undo our illusions secretly, as it were, when we are not watching and not in perfect control, say the mystics. Falling Upward, Richard Rohr. Where love is lacking or the structures are lacking, the container is inadequate for the second half task. Richard Rohr is a Franciscan priest and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. This blog is strictly for non-commercial purposes. Early on our spiritual journey, we are called to establish our security, identity, boundaries, safety, and a minimum of order. Richard Rohr seeks to help readers understand the tasks of the two halves of life and to show them that those who have fallen, failed, or "gone down" are the only ones who understand "up." It does not mean your first half of life is from age 0-40 and your second half of life is from 41-80+. by Tom Creedy | posted in: Being Human, Book Review | 0 . What looks like falling can largely be experienced as falling upward and onward into a broader and deeper world, where the soul has found its fullness, is finally connected to the whole, and lives inside the Big Picture.". Not interested in his teaching. Many people are mistaken in thinking that Rohr’s book, Falling Upward, is a book for those entering the later half of life, meaning that is for those “Over the Hill” on the back end of life. Sort by. This is the story of the elder son in the story of the Prodigal. By Kayte Deioma, About.com Guide to Los Angeles Travel. Many people are mistaken in thinking that Rohr’s book, Falling Upward, is a book for those entering the later half of life, meaning that is for those “Over the Hill” on the back end of … In this visionary work, Rohr writes about the duties of the first half of life and then charts the adventures of the second half of life where spiritual maturity is the goal. There are two key insights that are important: First, there is the insight that life can be divided into two halves with the key task of the first being fashioning the “container” of one’s life and that the second half is devoted to the “contents” of that container. Well, 'Falling Upward' is one such rarity. Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life -- A Companion Journal by Richard Rohr. HOT DAMN! In Falling Upward, Fr. For some, that may not be a problem, or even is a plus! Pingback: The Month in Reviews: February 2016 | Bob on Books, Pingback: Review: Mindful Silence | Bob on Books. Falling Upward Quotes. I would contend that the difference between a “both-and” view that wipes out distinctives and the Christian faith is that the Christian faith is a faith of reconciliation–a third way between “either” and “or” that doesn’t wipe out distinctions but reconciles them in Christ. - Ephesians 2:10, Exploring life through pilgrimage, literature, and faith, The Month in Reviews: February 2016 | Bob on Books, Growing Up in Working Class Youngtown — Monday Musical Club, Growing Up in Working Class Youngtown — Monday Musical Club, Ten Things Readers Would Like Publishers to Know, Review: The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self. That is different from a theology that says the fall was necessary for the evolution of our consciousness. I place a star beside what I really like. As St. Gregory of Nyssa already said in the fourth century, 'Sin happens whenever we refuse to keep growing.' A Review of Richard Rohr’s “Falling Upward” Written by Alan Bean. This is our blog. Summary: Richard Rohr focuses on what he sees are the key developmental tasks for each “half” of life, using the image of the container for the first half, and contents for the second. Learn how your comment data is processed. Literary fiction, poetry, first editions, classics... Communication Strategies for Bridging Differences, "In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don't." Greg Smith. Sunday March 1, 2009 "Himself" came out to see Tim Byron Owen's new interpretation of his comedy Falling Upward at the historic El Portal Theatre last night. He is well-known for his many books and recorded teachings. Why is it necessary? What is so important about the idea of necessary suffering? Too deep for me. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Second, there is the title idea of “falling upward”. 88. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. His description of “the second simplicity” and the “bright sadness” ring true. First for the insights I most appreciated, which I think come out of long pastoral work with people seeking to grow in their faith throughout life. The movement into the second half of life begins with the acceptance of the tragic sense of life, dealing with necessary suffering, doing shadow work, leaving our comfort zone and venturing out into the unknown, living with a both/and perspective, being a generative person, seeing our life as more participative than assertive, living simply, and radiating joy. However, as one who cares about the second half journey and believes it is best grounded in “mere Christianity” I would recommend Hagberg and Guelich’s The Critical Journey as one of the best books I’ve come across on the issues of our life journeys. We move forward in ways that we do not even understand and through the quiet workings of time and grace. It's unlikely you'll understand it if you're under 40, not being age-elitist at all but simply that most people haven't failed enough by that age. ( Log Out / For one thing, he articulates a new age account of the fall of Adam and Eve as a “necessary fall” for their development of consciousness. As part of my continuing exploration of spiritual books in preparation for a June retirement, I decided, on the recommendation of a trusted few, to read Richard Rohr's Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life. Bradbury's Falling Upward at the El Portal Theatre. I’ve not read a book by Rohr, but was familiar with him and his general ideas. It is time, in Rohr’s words to “discharge your loyal soldier.” It is often in the facing of our fallenness and finiteness and imperfection that we become fully human as we stop trying to be what we are not, and begin to pursue a life of grace, of calling, of wholeness, discovering our True Self. You confirmed my suspicions or concerns. We grow spiritually much more by doing it wrong than by doing it right. 8/26: Just finished final edits for next week's release, so I think a little Damon is in order! review of another edition. Change ). At some point, there is a necessary “fall”–failure, suffering, tragedy. ( Log Out / That is perhaps why the best word for God is actually Mystery. It also manifests itself with the adolescent energy of either/or categories and the tendency to rush towards judgment. Interesting…I honestly would have to take a look at that. Finally, Rohr seems to propose that our development is really through a transformation of consciousness through the “falling upward” experience, perhaps aided by the Spirit of God, rather true spiritual rebirth. Search. Irenaeus). Share. Or to put it another way, the first stage is to create a strong container for identity whereas the second stage is to fill that container with the content of our deepest and fullest self. A valuable new companion journal for the best-selling Falling Upward In Falling Upward, Fr. In fact, it seems at times that Rohr is among those who say that all religions are really saying the same thing and that those who say otherwise are guilty of “either-or” thinking. ( Log Out / . We use cookies and similar tools to enhance your shopping experience, to provide our services, understand how customers use our services so we can make improvements, and display ads. Rohr is profiled on Spirituality & Practice as a Living Spiritual Teacher. Richard Rohr is a Franciscan priest and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation. Saved by Karen Bray. We grow spiritually more by doing it wrong than by doing it right, and the disappointments of life are actually stepping stones to the spiritual joys in the second half of life. While I found a number of useful insights, I thought the “spirituality” on which Rohr grounded these more reflective of a “blend” of Eastern and Western spirituality rather than the Catholic Christianity with which Father Rohr is most closely identified. For more information on his work visit www.cacradicalgrace.org. Howdy! A valuable new companion journal for the best-selling Falling Upward. Text, image, video. I would agree with the formative nature of failure, transgression, and suffering that comes to the foot of the cross and finds grace. This companion book to Richard Rohr's Falling Upward was helpful. Well, 'Falling Upward' is one such rarity. Falling Upwards - that sensation and movement of uncontrolled ascent - is subtitled how we took to the air (William Collins UK paperback 2014). Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Robert C Trube and Bob on Books with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Shelves: spiritual, syntropy. Book Review: Falling Upward. In some sense the first half “container” may have prepared you to face these, and yet is inadequate of itself to do so. Review Subject Required. In Falling Upward, Fr. These elements of spiritual maturity don’t come without struggle, pain, doubt, sadness, loneliness, failure, and loss — and they don't happen overnight. It is time, in Rohr’s words to “discharge your loyal soldier.” Yet I do not think his writing reflects even Catholic orthodoxy, to which I wish he might “come home.”. Ray Bradbury, that is. In some sense the first half “container” may have prepared you to face these, and yet is inadequate of itself to do so. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2019. Rohr’s premise is that the first half of life requires discipline in order to gain dignity, identity, self-significance (ego), boundaries and direction (p 46). - Blaise Pascal, IFES Secretary for Dialogue and Social Engagement, "For we are God's workmanship . There are several key places where I believe Rohr is articulating a spirituality grounded more in a “new age” spirituality than in Christian orthodoxy, despite his warm avowals of how for him Christ is the center. The other seems to involve evolutionary progress where a cross is superfluous. Falling Upward A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life. ... pick of the week. He writes regularly for Radical Grace, his Center's publication, Sojourners and Tikkun. Falling Upward (Richard Rohr)--- Review FALLING UPWARD: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life. In Falling Upward, Father Richard Rohr--the founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation--offers a new paradigm for understanding one of the most profound of life's mysteries: how our failings can be the foundation for our ongoing spiritual growth. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for FALLING UPWARD at Amazon.com. Top reviews. The Companion Journal helps those who have (and those who have not) read Falling Upward to engage more deeply with the questions the book raises. The first half is the structures of rules, disciplines, community. Second, there is the title idea of “falling upward”. A second place is Rohr’s proposal that “heaven” and “hell” have to do with our consciousness, rather than ultimate destinies. I wonder if that’s the intellectual antecedent here, rather than something “new age”. Barbara Tuchman, Commentary on Working-Class Culture, Education, and Politics, Comments on the New Testament and Early Christianity (and related matters). Richard Rohr seeks to help readers understand the tasks of the two halves of life and to show them that those who have fallen, failed, or "gone down" are the only ones who understand "up." Rohr believes that we need a ritual of closure from this stunted first-stage energy. The fallout from this brand of dualistic thinking is ever expanding circles of anger, hatred, and violence. We're the largest independent bookstore in Texas. A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life, Copyright © 2006 - 2021 by CIStems, Inc., d.b.a. Reviews for "Falling Upward" KAYTE'S LOS ANGELES TRAVEL BLOG. The second half, then focuses on the contents of life, the becoming of a unique person who knows how to draw from all these structures and yet go beyond them. It is a superb book in that it does indeed show how men and women took to the air, but also with great insight and human drama it weaves their stories into and alongside those balloons. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Falling Upward at Amazon.com. Rohr concludes: "Most of us tend to think of the second half of life as largely about getting old, dealing with health issues and letting go of our physical life, but the whole thesis of this book is exactly the opposite. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. ." It's unlikely you'll understand it if you're under 40, not being age-elitist at all but simply that most people haven't failed enough by that age. I had to read it slowly, only four or five pages a day. By Charles Kiker. (Unpaid endorsement), Books | Reflections For the Good of the Church, Explorations in Biblical Theology from J. Richard Middleton. Although it may feel like a loss of self, what is really going on is the death of the false self. I think part of what so many like in Rohr, and I’ve appreciated in his other writings is his ability to capture the imagination and heart in his word paintings. All reviewers. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2011. Richard Rohr seeks to help readers understand the tasks of the two halves of life and to show them that those who have fallen, failed, or "gone down" are the only ones who understand "up." "Books are humanity in print." In the men's work he has done, this is called "discharging your loyal soldier." Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life by Richard Rohr is the best book I have read in a decade, and I read a lot of books! This is regrettable in my view because his insights into the two halves of life and the transition of what I might call “fall into re-formation” may be grounded far more robustly is what C. S. Lewis would call “mere Christianity.” There are so many things that, for one living in the second half, connected deeply for me. A great source for books reviewed here. All stars. Spirituality & Practice. Thanks for this review. Coming to that realisation that we are not defined by what we do, have or achieve is … Falling Upward offers a new paradigm for understanding one of the most profound of life's mysteries: how those who have fallen down are the only ones who understand "up". This is not a book I can wholeheartedly recommend. Coming to that realisation that we are not defined by what we do, have or achieve is a painful but necessary part of our spiritual journey. 2.0 out of 5 stars Falling Upward. That is why most wise people have lived a long life and proved equal to the challenges and the obstacles of the spiritual path. This occurs in a healthy way when these things are present in an atmosphere of unconditional love. The first half of life could be called "early stage religion" which prepares us for the inner experience of God to come. I write in my books. In Falling Upward, Fr. Those who resist “falling upwards” go on in life to become cynical, emptily driven, emotionally detached and judgmental individuals. Not written for ordinary people. © Robert C Trube and Bob on Books, 2013-2021. There is language of “union with ourselves and everything else” that seems more the language of pantheistic monism than of being “at-one” with God in Christ. At some point, there is a necessary “fall”–failure, suffering, tragedy.