Book SummaryFalling Upward, by Richard Rohr

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Falling Upward

In Falling Upward, Richard Rohr explores the two halves of life and the spiritual journey that accompanies them. He explains that the first half of life is about building a strong identity and sense of self, while the second half is about finding deeper meaning and purpose. He argues that many people get stuck in the first half of life, never moving beyond the ego-driven pursuits of success and security. However, he believes that true spiritual growth and fulfillment come from embracing the challenges and opportunities of the second half of life.

Rohr is a Franciscan priest, author, and speaker known for his...

Falling Upward Summary The Two Halves of Life

Rohr explains that life consists of two primary missions: building an identity and finding its deeper purpose. The initial undertaking is about surviving successfully—building a sense of self, a living space, connections, a social circle, and safety. This is often assumed to be life's purpose. However, the next responsibility, which is of greater importance, is about finding the deeper purpose that the self is intended to serve. This undertaking is usually discovered instead of pursued, and not many reach it with significant forethought, intention, or enthusiasm. Rohr uses the metaphor of vitality (eros) and mortality's force to illustrate this idea.

(Shortform note: Rohr’s two-mission view of life may not apply to people who live in constant crisis. For example, people who live in poverty may never have the opportunity to move beyond the first mission of survival. This is because they may not have the mental bandwidth to think about anything beyond their immediate needs. In other words, they may not have the luxury of time or resources to reflect on their lives and find a deeper purpose.)

Two individuals can share the same role,...

Falling Upward Summary The Quest to Discover Your Authentic Self

Next, we’ll explore the process of unveiling your authentic self and the characteristics of a life rooted in this genuine identity.

Process of Unveiling Your Genuine Self

Rohr explains that the path to discovering your authentic self involves shedding the inauthentic self. The fake self is the image you create for yourself, including your social identities and self-image. Your authentic self is how God sees you. The path to discovering your authentic self follows a spiral, not a linear route, and it involves suffering, which can feel like dying. The amount of suffering you experience is proportional to the extent of your desire to discover your real self. The journey also involves facing the part of you that you deny or hide, your shadow side.

(Shortform note: Rohr’s claim that the amount of suffering you experience is proportional to the extent of your desire to discover your real self is questionable. In The Power of Meaning, Emily Esfahani Smith argues that meaning in life is not determined by how much a person suffers but by how they respond to what happens to them. She explains that people can experience...

Shortform Exercise: Discovering Life's Deeper Purpose

Reflect on the transition from the first half of life, focused on building identity, to the second half, where the deeper purpose is discovered.

How do you define the primary mission of your life currently? Has this focus shifted over time?