I almost gave up on Christianity until I read this

Any additional comments?

I was on the brink of giving up on Christianity altogether—completely exhausted and frustrated with the restrictive and exclusive nature of the traditional Church. I was angry, repulsed and often felt cheated by the church. Metaphorically, I felt entrapped by the shell I had been incubated in, and I had to get out. The day after a major meltdown, when I told my wife I was through with God and through with the Church, I called my life coach who had gone through the same experience, and he recommended this book. Wether it was just timing, or timeless truth, I do not know, but I have never been so thankful for a book in my entire life. This book spoke to my sufferings in my personal life over the last 4 years, and to my spiritual frustrations with the Church. It was like a guide on life's journey as Rohr talks about in his book. It gave me an appreciation for the Traditional Church in my life, and yet freed me from it at the same time. It gave me a deeper understanding of God's love in all stages of life, and the need to keep moving in my Faith. I've never felt the kind of peace, joy and love from God as I do after hearing this. Rohr's understanding of scripture (and literature!! Which I loved as an English Major) was extraordinary, exciting and enlightening. I highly recommend this book to everyone, but I will also say that no one will get as much out of this as those who are questioning the traditional Church or have reached a spiritual roadblock in their life.

93 people found this helpful

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.

56 people found this helpful

Gracious living

What did you love best about Falling Upward?

I sense it is an inspired writing about how to live out the second half of our life with an open heart and mind; to live with joy, gratitude and graciousness. In the book, Rohr confronted some of my first half of life thinking and gave me an explanation about what I am experiencing today. It has made me even more grateful for my life and where I am today in this aging process. I recommend it for anyone over 40 (I wish I would have read it then). I do not recommend it for those who are still entrenched in their first half of life thinking where there is an absence of curiosity and the presence of absolute certainty....about anything.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no

Any additional comments?

It may take a second "reading" before Rohr's teachings can be full absorbed and appreciated.

24 people found this helpful

Worthy of your time!

Any additional comments?

This book helped me to relax in my discomfort of the transition to the second half of life. What used to mean so much such as career, status, money, position, fame, competition, roles, ladder climbing and so forth seem unimportant compared to giving, being quiet and ordinary, and being okay with falling. Life includes struggles but in the second half of life, it seems they are experienced differently. I found peace and comfort reading the book and also an appreciation for the second half of life that can be a wonderful time in life. The book is probably best suited for someone 50+ who is ready to explore the blessings of being a wise elder.

15 people found this helpful

A soft-spoken priest with some sage advice

Any additional comments?

The best thing about this book is the way it can set your mind at ease. Have you been fretting and worrying over things like your salvation? Your behavior? Your attitude? Your ideal self vs. your real self? Let Father Rohr explain it all to you. It will be so much clearer. I'm so glad I let him in because things I had taken pains over, he eased up. Some of his quotes are memorable, such as from St. Augustine: "unity in essentials, freedom in non-essentials, charity in all things." It may be all I recall, but it is powerful.

12 people found this helpful

Warning: New Age “Universal Love” in disguise

I loved this book up until he says that heaven and hell is here on Earth...as if it’s only a concept. He said that God doesn’t judge people when they die. He’s acting like God will just accept any one, even if they haven’t accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

It started sounding more and more to me like New Age teachings. They teach universal love, let’s all join hands. No. You have to draw a line somewhere. The Antichrist is coming and you have to choose a side. God does love us because He sent his son to die on the cross so that we can all have a chance at heaven.

There are those who are rebellious and keep pushing Jesus away and worshipping false idols. It’s a choice between Satan and Jesus. Jesus is eternal life:

(John 14:6) Jesus answered: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.”

Jesus clearly states He is the ONLY way to heaven! Hell is real. Even the author said Jesus descended into hell and ascended into heaven. Yet, he acts like hell doesn’t actually exist in the end. That’s doing a huge disservice to people when souls are at stake.

We’re all sinners. That’s why we need the salvation of Jesus for eternal life when our physical body dies. We have a spiritual body that goes back “home” to God, IF you choose Him.

Beware of this New Age deception. I didn’t realize it until close to the end of the book.

10 people found this helpful

Humbling Experience

The journey of the soul, the inner self, the spirit, or whatever you realize within you will be touched by this thoughtful book. Whatever you may believe spiritually or not, this is something to read. if you've stumbled upon this book perhaps this book found you as it did me. Enjoy!

8 people found this helpful

Falling Upward Audio

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

95% for performance; 100%, or top of the list, for content.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Falling Upward?

I loved that the author was reading his own work. Hard to say what the most memorable moments were.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

I am not sure Rohr could have done better, as his way of reading seemed ingrained. He often hesitated in places where a sentence should have flowed smoothly, and this interfered, in a mild way, with what he was trying to say, though only for a moment. However, his pauses made me think, and thinking is not necessarily a bad thing! In addition, Rohr's hesitations added a kind of charm. I loved that he read his own work and figured his hesitations were due to a slight discomfort with reading aloud, or perhaps due to a slight dyslexia.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

If this were a story with a plot, I could answer this, but Rohr's book is not a story. The entire book moved me deeply and has had a very positive effect on my life.

Any additional comments?

Rohr's voice is restful and lends itself to contemplation and calm. I often listen to audio books when I can't sleep, and if a reader is too "wired" or intense, or if he or she speaks too fast, I don't listen. So I thank Mr. Rohr for both his amazing ideas and for his delivery, including his hesitations while reading.

20 people found this helpful

A little devious

When I selected this book, I had the impression from the summary that this is a new age spiritual book like those of Wayne Dyer or Eckhart Tolle. However, upon listening to it, I realised my mistake as references to God and quotations from the bible become more and more prevalent. The author then reveals that he was/is a catholic clergy and monk.
As I am not a Christian, I would not have selected this book if I known the leanings of the writer. Clever marketing at play I think. That said, I rather enjoyed this book and listened to the whole book in one sitting without once feeling overwhelm by it religious overtones.I like the open mindedness of the writer and his lack of arrogance.
If you are like me, not religious but open to other people's religion, I highly recommend the book 'Have a little faith' by Mitch Albon. It moved me to tears.

52 people found this helpful

Profound book

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Am already recommending this book to several friends. It puts things in perspective for all of us as we are met with difficulties, disappointments and griefs.

What did you like best about this story?

It provokes thought, offers healthy perspectives and helps one make important decisions about how to accept and grow from life's unexpected twists and turns.

Have you listened to any of Richard Rohr’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is my first introduction to Richard Rohr. He recently spoke in my city and over 1,200 people attended his lecture. His reading is conversational and pleasant.

Any additional comments?

Next to the Bible, which the author references frequently, this book provides great understanding and perspective for living completely into our second

14 people found this helpful