by Richard Rohr
5*/10
Key Ideas:
The first half of life is focused on success, identity, security, boundaries, order, safety, relationships and affirmation.
The second half, if achieved, can focus on wisdom, compassion, and understanding of one’s place in deep time and the metaphysical.
In almost all cases some significant loss, failure, or personal tragedy is necessary for the transition between the two.
Other interesting notes:
When we are (spiritually) lazy, we stay on the path we are already on, even if it is going nowhere.
When some haven’t done the task of the first life well, they go back and try to do it again, and often overdo it.
Your false self is your role, title, and personal image that is largely a creation of your own mind and attachments. How much false self are you willing to shed to find your True Self?
In the second half of life, one has less and less need or interest in eliminating the negative or fearful, making rash judgments, holding on to old hurts, or feeling any need to punish other people.
At this stage, I no longer have to prove that I or my group is the best. My desire and effort is to give back to the world a bit of what I have received.
Stop: compare, compete, conflict, conspire, condemn, cancel contrary evidence, crucify others.
Thoughts on the book:
*10/10 idea, with very few books talking about it, but could have been a blog post.
Longer summary/notes: PE, CH, author’s Q&A
If you like this, you’ll probably like: Way to love, Reboot, Principles, 7 habits, Linchpin, books
Leo :) 