All great spirituality is about what we do with our pain. If we do not transform our pain, we will transmit it to those around us.
Richard RohrThe greatest enemy of ordinary daily goodness and joy is not imperfection, but the demand for some supposed perfection or order.
Richard RohrThe fears that assault us are mostly simple anxieties about social skills, about intimacy, about likeableness, or about performance. We need not give emotional food or charge to these fears or become attached to them. We donโt even have to shame ourselves for having these fears. Simply ask your fears, โWhat are you trying to teach me?โ Some say that FEAR is merely an acronym for โFalse Evidence Appearing Real.โ From Everything Belongs, p. 143
Richard RohrEither you allow Holy Scriptures to change you, or you will normally try to use it to change--and clobber--other people. It is the height of idolatry to use the supposed Word of God so that my small self can be in control and be right. But I am afraid this has been more the norm than the exception in the use of the Bible.
Richard RohrThe two Virtues of Equanimity and Compassion become more available to the person whose ego-shell has been smashed-either by great suffering or by great love-or by both.
Richard RohrFaith is so rare-and religion so common-because no one wants to live between first base and second base. Faith is the in-between space where you're not sure you'll make it to second base. You've let go of one thing and haven't yet latched into another. Most of us choose the security of first base.
Richard Rohr