shadowwork

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.

We discuss the symbolic meaning of shit, and shithole, and wonder about shadow projection.  What does Trump’s use of this term have to tell us about his psyche – and ours? 

Here's the dream we analyzed:

"I was in a flooded house. The house had two living rooms. Both were flooded. In one room was a television set with empty birdcages. The water short-circuited the television set and afterward, the birdcages came alive with birds, including a dead bird my mom once had. Also, a cat that ran away was on my lap. In the other room were two other birdcages, one with a stick standing straight up and a baby crow in the other. When I opened the cage with the stick the crow flew away and an open vista with a straight road opened up in front of me."

BECOME A DREAM INTERPRETER

We’ve created DREAM SCHOOL to teach others how to work with their dreams. A vibrant community has constellated around this mission, and we think you’ll love it. Check it out.

 PLEASE GIVE US A HAND

Hey folks -- We need your help. So please BECOME OUR PATRON and keep This Jungian Life podcast up and running.

 SHARE YOUR DREAM WITH US

SUBMIT YOUR DREAM HERE FOR A POSSIBLE PODCAST INTERPRETATION.

 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, LINKEDIN, TWITTER, YOUTUBE

 INTERESTED IN BECOMING A JUNGIAN ANALYST?

Enroll in the PHILADELPHIA JUNGIAN SEMINAR and start your journey to become an analyst.