You can’t teach what you don’t know.
You can’t give what you don’t have.
You can’t model what you not yet are.
“Spirituality in general is not taught, although some teaching is helpful, it’s caught. It’s caught energetically.
For example, a little boy in the backseat of the car is watching constantly without even knowing he’s watching, how the father reacts in a rageful situation, if he’s afraid to pray, or can speak comfortably and helpfully of God. You can only give away what you have become.
So I think the emphasis for any man should be, ‘I have to do my growing up work myself.’
A mature person has integrated the whole world of spirit enough so he has an excess of life, so that he has plenty to give away. A father can only model that.
A boy wants it so badly that if he doesn’t see it in his father, which he often won’t, he will look for it in his grandfather, where it’s more common at that age. Or, in men outside the family, like a Cub Scout leader or a basketball coach.”
Richard Rohr, Art of Manliness Podcast #527
Illuman Programs and Events
Illuman is a global non-profit committed to helping men do their inner, spiritual work to become healthier, more authentic human beings. We do this through a number of programs.
A Father for Gen Alpha (a learning community for new and expecting fathers)
47 – Navigating the Midlife Passage
First Rites — Young Men Rising (ages 13-15)
Young Men’s Rites of Passage (ages 18-28)
The Illuman Community and Council Practice — Support for Inner Work that makes a difference in the world (Virtual & In Person)
————————————————-
Photo Credit: Derek Thompson
Leave a Reply
Your email is safe with us.
You must be logged in to post a comment.