Monday, January 9, 2012

A philosophy for the middle-aged

Richard Rohr's philosophy for the middle-aged was quoted on Thought for the Day on BBC Radio Four on Saturday - in particular, his distinction between the priorities of the first and second halves of our lives.

Rohr is an American Franciscan priest, but what he says here - in a video to promote his book Falling Upwards - is more psychological than doctrinal - as he tries to make sense of and justify older people's different world view.

He is behind the Center for Action and Contemplation, based in Albuquerque, New Mexico and founded in 1987.

The flavour of his New Age/Buddhist Christianity can be gleaned from this extract from his 'Daily Meditations', for today:

"Now do not let the word “mystic” scare you. It simply means one who has moved from mere belief systems or belonging systems to actual inner experience. All spiritual traditions agree that such a movement is possible, desirable, and available to everyone."

I haven't read Rohr's book, but I like the sound of what he says - about the second half of life being one in which you can move on from the building, and ego-centred priorities of the first, into one where you can appreciate a wider perspective, and change your values to more positive, and perhaps more generous ones.

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