The Art of Manliness

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#527: Father Wounds, Male Spirituality, and the Journey to the Second Half of Life

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Jul 22, 2019

Guest

Richard Rohr

Richard Rohr, a Franciscan friar and author, dives deep into male spirituality and the concept of life's two halves. He discusses how father wounds can hinder men's spiritual journeys and emphasizes the importance of initiation and purpose in the second half of life. Rohr contrasts male and female spirituality, exploring why many men feel disconnected from traditional church environments. He also offers insights on how fathers can guide their sons in embracing spirituality, highlighting the need for vulnerability and personal transformation.

57:49

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Episode notes

insights

INSIGHT

Two Halves of Life

Life has two halves: the first focuses on building identity and the second on finding purpose.
Transitioning to the second half often requires experiencing "necessary suffering."

insights

INSIGHT

Men and the Second Half of Life

Men often require significant setbacks to transition to the second half of life.
The male psyche, focused on power and superiority, resists change.

insights

INSIGHT

Male Identity Formation

Men define themselves in opposition to their mothers, creating a separate identity.
This contributes to their focus on ego development in the first half of life.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

The Influence of Father Wounds on Male Spirituality

02:05 • 4min

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Embracing the Second Half of Life

05:47 • 12min

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The Male Identity Journey

17:36 • 8min

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The Quest for Male Love and Identity in the Absence of Fathers

25:24 • 5min

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Navigating Male Spirituality

30:25 • 23min

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Fathers as Spiritual Guides: Navigating the Second Half of Life

53:49 • 3min

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Exploring Male Spirituality and Personal Growth

56:31 • 3min

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From Wild Man to Wise Man

Reflections on Male Spirituality

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In this book, Richard Rohr delves into the complexities of male spirituality, discussing the need for initiation rites, the struggle with darkness and grief, and the importance of liminal spaces in transformation. Rohr draws from various sources, including Christian teachings and Joseph Campbell’s work, to provide a nuanced understanding of the male spiritual journey. He emphasizes the distinction between the 'wild man' and the 'wise man,' highlighting the transition from a focus on external motivations like money, sex, and power to an internal motivation rooted in spiritual maturity and authenticity.

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Adam’s Return

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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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