Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life

The Two Halves of Life
Franciscan friar Richard Rohr presents a paradigm for spiritual development. The First Half of Life is about building the "container" (our identity, security, career, ego structure). This is necessary and healthy. However, many people get stuck here, mistaking the container for the contents.
The Necessary Suffering
The transition to the Second Half of Life is rarely a smooth ascent; it is usually triggered by a "necessary suffering"—a failure, a loss, or a crisis that the first-half ego cannot fix. This is "falling upward." It is in this fall that we learn to let go of the False Self (who we think we should be) and uncover the True Self (who we are in God/The Divine).
From Hero to Elder
Rohr argues that while the first half is the "Hero’s Journey" (achievement), the second half is the path of the Elder (surrender and meaning). It is a move from dualistic thinking (right/wrong) to non-dual consciousness (both/and), characterized by a deep sense of inclusion, forgiveness, and peace.