Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life - Hardcover

Rohr, Richard

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0470907754 ISBN 13: 9780470907757

Publisher: Jossey-Bass, 2011

Synopsis

A fresh way of thinking about spirituality that grows throughout life In Falling Upward , Fr. 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." 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 life, but the whole thesis of this book is exactly the opposite. What looks like falling down can largely be experienced as "falling upward." In fact, it is not a loss but somehow actually a gain, as we have all seen with elders who have come to their fullness. Explains why the second half of life can and should be full of spiritual richness Offers a new view of how spiritual growth happens loss is gain Richard. Rohr is a regular contributing writer for Sojourners and Tikkun magazines This important book explores the counterintuitive message that we grow spiritually much more by doing wrong than by doing right.

About this title

Review

Franciscan priest Rohr (The Naked Now) is a big–picture kind of thinker when it comes to characterizing the human journey. Life has two halves; life follows the pattern of a hero/heroine′s journey; life is disorderly and inherently tragic. Elders and mystics are more inclined to such sweeping and subtle observations, and Rohr, born in 1943, fits in both categories. Rohr writes about spirituality in broad terms, but is deeply grounded in the writings and thinkers of his Catholic religious tradition. His discussion of familiar theological concerns––the necessity of suffering, the opportunities provided by mistakes––is fresh because imaginative and vigorous. His metaphors ("discharging your loyal soldier"), paradoxes (see the book′s title), and arguments are not, however, easy to follow or even easy to summarize. They will frustrate some readers, but delight others who are attentive enough to follow the connections Rohr makes. This small, provocative book will make a particularly good gift for a thoughtful, spiritually open man. (May) ( Publishers Weekly , April 11, 2011)

‘...prophetic, wise and clear!’  (Thegoodbookstall.org.uk, June 2011).

From the Back Cover

PRAISE FOR FALLING UPWARD "Understanding the spiritual aspects of aging is as important as appreciating the systems and biological processes that age us. Richard Rohr has given us a perfect guide to what he calls the ′further journey,′ a voyage into the mystery and beauty of healthy spiritual maturity." — Mehmet Oz , M.D., host of the "Dr. Oz Show" " Falling Upward calls forth the promise within us and frees us to follow it into wider dimensions of our spiritual authenticity. This ′second half of life′ need not wait till our middle years. It emerges whenever we are ready and able to expand beyond the structures and strictures of our chosen path. With Richard Rohr as a guide, this mystery can become as real and immediate as your hand on the doorknob." — Joanna Macy , author of World as Lover, World as Self "In Falling Upward , Richard offers a simple but deeply helpful framework for seeing the whole spiritual life—one that will help both beginners on the path as they look ahead and long–term pilgrims as they look back over their journey so far." — Brian McLaren , author of A New Kind of Christianity and Naked Spirituality brianmclaren.net "The value of this book lies in the way Richard Rohr shares his own aging process with us in ways that help us be less afraid. We begin to see that, as we grow older, we are being awakened to deep, simple, and mysterious things we simply could not see when we were younger." — Jim Finley , retreat leader, Merton scholar, and author of The Contemplative Heart "This is Richard Rohr at his vintage best: prophetic, pastoral, practical. A book I will gratefully share with my children and grandchildren." — Cynthia Bourgeault , Episcopal priest, retreat leader, and author of The Meaning of Mary Magdalene , Centering Prayer , Inner Awakening , and The Wisdom Way of Knowing

Edition details

• Publisher: Jossey-Bass
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0470907754
• ISBN 13: 9780470907757
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 240