Podcast

How does the way men experience spirituality differ from the way women engage it? What obstacles particularly keep men from experiencing greater meaning in their lives, and what paradigm shifts help them find it?
My guest today has been thinking about those questions over the six decades he's served as a Franciscan friar. His name is Richard Rohr, and he's authored numerous books and devoted a significant part of his vocation to working with men -- both ministering to those who are incarcerated, and in leading male initiation rituals and retreats.
If you enjoyed my discussion last month with David Brooks about life's first and second mountain, you'll want to listen to this one. Father Rohr has long taught the same concept, arguing that life is divided into a first and second half. We begin our discussion by exploring the difference between these two halves, and what it takes to move to the second half of life, including embracing non-dualistic thinking. We also talk about what prevents men from maturing into the second half of life, including having "father wounds." We then discuss how male spirituality differs from female spirituality, why church doesn't appeal to men, the male need for initiation, and what it means to do shadow work. We end our conversation with what fathers can do to help their sons embrace the spiritual side of life.
Get the show notes at aom.is/rohr.
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[@hawktalk639]

This is a compliment to your work and wisdom. Thank you for having Fr. Rohr on, Brett.

[@brotherskeeper2598]

These are fantastic podcasts. Definitely my new daily favorite. Every guest is just phenomenal. I'm likely not going in order but just working my way down the list the way that KZbin has been listed.

[@zsedcftglkjh]

He says that the Church needs to integrate “chaos” better in its midst. Meanwhile, the only growing and thriving parts of the Church are the traditional elements (Latin Mass, stained glass, incense and tonsure, the ‘oldtime religion’ etc.). Maybe men are looking for responsibility and order in a chaotic world. For myself, I’m suppose to live up to all my responsibilities when it comes to women, Church, employment, but the world gives us nothing in return. Where is our role as men in God’s grand story?

[@Alphacentauri819]

To get out of your own way. The order you describe is often a way to feel in control, gain control, and often controlling of others to feel in control, becomes the way of being. One needs to learn to regulate their internal world, through emotional regulation (not repression…as that leads to harm towards others and self), and realize the inherent uncertainty and groundlessness in life. It is the fighting, trying to control, this reality that leads to so much suffering. Your last sentence is where you can ask the divine. Faith requires that you finally “get”, that there are massive amounts of information you don’t (or won’t) ever have. The divine purpose far outreaches our human understanding. When we are using conceptual processes, and the western overthinking mind, we will simply not be in the space to “know”.

[@inesmartinez7888]

Offering and attending Masses for the repose of the souls of our family ancestors, after confessing personal sins in Reconciliation/ Confession asking for forgiveness for the sins of the generations especially sodomy,