Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life –– A Companion Journal

"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, MD, host of the Dr. Oz Show PRAISE FOR FALLING UPWARD "Rohr writes about spirituality in broad terms, but is deeply grounded in the writings and thinkers of his Catholic religious tradition. His discussion of ... the necessity of suffering, the opportunities provided by mistakes ... is fresh because imaginative and vigorous ... This small, provocative book will make a particularly good gift ..." — Publishers Weekly "A visionary work about the second stage of life as a time for the unfolding of spiritual maturity." — Spirituality & Practice , Best Books of 2011 "What a pleasure to discover Rohr′s guiding voice, leading us as a master of spiritual disciplines, to see within aging—not a dreaded monster, but an actual spiritual goal in living. A goal, that is, if we can accept this confident, compassionate wisdom that no longer needs to settle all questions—and no longer needs to sort the world into neat groups of friends and foes. That awareness can come with age, if we understand the power of that spiritual gift." — Read the Spirit "This is a book for reflection ... It would be good to discuss in a house group. There are passages to lead in to silent prayer, and the final chapter, a meditation on a poem by Thomas Merton, ′When in the Soul of a Serene Disciple,′ is something I shall return to again and again." — Julian Meetings Magazine "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 In his bestselling book Falling Upward , Father Richard Rohr 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. Throughout the book, he draws on the wisdom from time–honored myths, heroic poems, great thinkers, and sacred religious texts to demonstrate that we grow spiritually more by doing it wrong than by doing it right. This Companion Journal helps those who have (and those who have not) read Falling Upward to engage more deeply with the questions the book raises. Its inspiring blend of resources for readers includes: QUOTATIONS FOR REFLECTION Passages from Falling Upward give readers an opportunity to let their meaning spur thoughts about experiences or feelings. In groups, the passages (and reflections about them) are great conversation starters. JOURNALING QUESTIONS Writing in response to these questions is meant to help readers dig deeper into the concepts in the book. The questions can also be used to open discussion in groups. EXPERIENTIAL EXERCISES Because spiritual practice is an important part of growth and insight, these experiential exercises are designed to help readers take their writing and discussions further. In groups, the exercises can be used as the basis for discussion and learning together.

Introduction vii 1 The Two Halves of Life 1 2 The Hero and the Heroine′s Journey 15 3 The First Half of Life 29 4 The Tragic Sense of Life 41 5 Stumbling over the Stumbling Stone 55 6 Necessary Suffering 69 7 Home and Homesickness 85 8 Amnesia and the Big Picture 101 9 A Second Simplicity 115 10 A Bright Sadness 127 11 The Shadowlands 139 12 New Problems and New Directions 153 13 Falling Upward 167 The Author 181

Fr. Richard Rohr is a Franciscan priest of the New Mexico Province. He founded the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1986, where he presently serves as founding director. Fr. Rohr is the author of more than twenty books, an internationally known speaker, and a regular contributing writer for Sojourners and Tikkun magazines and the CAC′s quarterly journal, Radical Grace .