Falling Upward

A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life

By: Richard Rohr

Narrated by: Richard Rohr

Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

In the first half of life, we are naturally preoccupied with establishing ourselves; climbing, achieving, and performing. But as we grow older and encounter challenges and mistakes, we need to see ourselves in a different and more life-giving way. This message of falling down - that is in fact moving upward - is the most resisted and counterintuitive of messages in the world's religions.

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". 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.

©2011 Richard Rohr (P)2011 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Critic reviews

"[P]rovocative." ( Publishers Weekly)

"[A] trustworthy guide to the spiritual life." (BlogCritics.org)

"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 mystery and beauty of healthy spiritual maturity." (Mehmet Oz, M.D., host of the Dr. Oz Show)

life changing book

I am indebted to Fr. Rohr for his shared wisdom. I did not know this dip in my life was normal. He provides guidance and a calming voice for us in this gift of a book.

Excellent read! I learned so much!

I think I finally understand my frustration with religious simplistic views and realize where I am along the path and how to better move along.

amazing perspective

I love that he went back to the classics and told story from ancient wisdom that is still so relatable today.

Falling Upward Like a Fine Wine!

Fr Rohr provides an uplifting and spirit-filled reflection outlining the blessings of growth, maturity, and advancing in years. This hopeful and inspiring message is food for the soul of those who may be tempted to believe their best days are behind them. The author declares there may yet be “a taste of Cana” left in the bottle: what if the Master has saved the best wine for last?!

Thank You for Hope

I wish I had read this book in my sixties, however as some say, we often get what we
get, when we need it, so at 78 it helped me hear HOPE and know I am where I am supposed to be, doing what I am supposed to do - where opposites blend and dualities join hands. Thank you

inspirational

This book has been both inspiring and helpful in Guiding my acceptance of life during my journey

Love this book

Love that Richard Rohr narrated the book himself. The information is a gift for all who understand what he is talking about and hope others seek to get to the second half of life. We need you!

Brilliant

A must read/listen for anyone pondering questions such as “what next? Is this all there is to life?” In his most eloquent way with words and language, Father Rohr teaches us that the second half of life is where true meaning, giving and loving flourish.

The serene disciple

This is the second time I’ve read this book. It is the first time I’ve read this book after personal suffering. I have long sensed that personal suffering is somehow necessary. This book helps me understand why.

Life Changing Once You Are Ready

Where does Falling Upward rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the genre of spirituality this book ranks only behind Thomas Merton. Rohr clearly has found guidance and deep inspiration from Merton. If you've read Merton, you know this is a very good thing indeed. The key to our happiness is contemplation and finding our true selves. This book will reveal that in an easy to follow manner. This book made me want to work harder toward a mindset of contemplation. I found myself rewinding and bookmarking more than any other audio book I have purchased. Once I stopped listening for the day, I wanted to sit and write my own thoughts and ideas about how I could apply these principles in my life. I do recommend that you don't try to "finish" this one quickly. Take your time and listen in 30-60 minute sections. Allowing yourself the time to contemplate and soak in the message.

One word of caution, you have to be open minded and ready to hear this message. If you can allow yourself to begin this process it will change everything. However, in our world today we are so "tribal" that we are not used to thinking this way. We identify so strongly by political party, religious denomination, and class - that seeing the world as all of God's creation isn't nearly as easy as we think. At least it wasn't for me (once I really analyzed myself) and I consider myself open minded. Once you "get it" the concept seems simple and essential to happiness. But everything around us tells us to think differently. A major concept of the book is to change our "either/or" view of the world to a "both/and" mentality. This is true wisdom. The older we get (I am 42) the more we realize there are no simple answers to our problems.

But don't think that Rohr bashes our youthful certainty and fervor. He does no such thing. He calls on the importance of parents to instill impulse control, rules, and structure for their children. He calls this early way of thinking: "building our container". So that once we reach maturity we can properly hold and understand what is really inside. Far too often we worship the containers in life: religious practice, strict adherence to rules, and high expectations. This book will teach you how to respect the containers while fundamentally changing how you view what is inside - your soul.