From Wild Man to Wise Man - Richard Rohr

This is simply THE best book on male spirituality that I have ever heard of. It is excellent. I would love to lead a men's retreat based on this book, just because the dialogue on its subjects would make for an enriching weekend.

Richard Rohr is a Franciscan and from what I can tell and ex-hippie. Although he did the 60's while wearing a habit, so I'm not sure that qualifies under the normal rules of hippie.

This book is everything that Wild at Heart wished it was, and the theology is better (which is ironic since it is written by a Catholic).

Rohr delves into the uniqueness of masculine spirituality.
"For starters, a masculine spirituality would emphasize movement over stillness, action over theory, service to the world over religious discussions, speaking the truth over social niceties and doing justice instead of any self-serving 'charity'" pg. 10

But he also spends quite a bit of time on the ills of our world and the addictions of men. HE claims that "the addictive system, therefore, offers the illusion of power and freedom while holding back any real decision-making power." pg. 27

"Initiation always taught the young men to die before he died, and then he would begin to live... or as St. Francis put it 'If you have once faced the great death, the second death can do you no harm.'" pg. 36

Rohr talked about how men have problems with sexuality and authority. I had always realized the first, but didn't realize how universal the second problem is as well. He talked about encountering men who carry authority inside of them. "If we not encountered a man with true inner authority, we allow authority to be something external and arbitrary, and with either love it or hate it at that level."

I learned by reading this book that I had an amazing father, who did nearly everything that Rohr says great fathers should do. However, I still have a "Father Wound" as he puts it. I still need a Heavenly Father to heal me.

I learned that no dad can be perfect, and that includes me. However, I have a responsibility to be the man God has called me to be for my children.

Every guy should read this book.