Life-changing experiences can have a profound impact on our lives.

They can cause us to reevaluate our goals, values, and beliefs.

These experiences can come in many forms, such as a new job, a relationship, a travel adventure, or a personal tragedy.

When we have a life-changing experience, it can feel like we are on a new path, with new opportunities and challenges.

It can be both exciting and scary at the same time.

However, it is important to embrace these experiences and learn from them.

They can help us grow as individuals and become more resilient.

Life-changing experiences can also open our eyes to new perspectives and ways of thinking.

They can inspire us to make positive changes in our lives and pursue our dreams.

In conclusion, life-changing experiences are an important part of our journey through life.

We should welcome them with open arms and use them to our advantage.

My favorite Rohr book that I have read so far is truly remarkable. I was in search of an alternative to John Eldridge that treats masculinity (and gender in general) with great seriousness. And Rohr does just that in this book. I first became intrigued by it when I heard Rohr being interviewed in a podcast. He mentioned that he was a prison chaplain for 14 years and never met anyone in prison who had a good dad. It is not common to find literature from the theological left that values the presence of masculinity. Rohr takes seriously what most of his left-leaning colleagues dismiss as toxic. I would highly recommend every parent with sons to read this book. It is like Jordan Peterson but without the chauvinism. It offers valuable insights and perspectives on masculinity that can help parents better understand and guide their sons. The book is well-written and engaging, making it a great read for anyone interested in the topic of gender and masculinity.

Richard Rohr has done an outstanding job.

He skillfully combines his profound intellect and personal experiences with men to establish a clear and universal model for male initiation.

Rather than relying on five common practices that might not be applicable in all cultures or five common characters that would encounter the same problem, Rohr presents the reader with five common messages that can be found universally.

This makes it more accessible and translatable for a diverse range of Western cultures that require assistance in revitalizing this important rite of passage within their society.

The only reason this book received four stars instead of five is the absence of examples from other cultures demonstrating how initiation rites are carried out.

Such examples would have been beneficial for the reader to better understand how these five common messages were conveyed.

Nevertheless, this is an essential read for any man seeking to embrace the initiate identity and, in particular, for any man desiring to create these initiation experiences for others.

It offers valuable insights and a framework that can be adapted and applied in different contexts to help men navigate their journey of initiation and growth.

Overall, it is a significant contribution to the field of male initiation and personal development.

This book is incredibly rich.

It has truly opened my eyes and given me a whole new perspective on masculinity.

As a parent, especially when I am raising a son, understanding the true essence of masculinity becomes of utmost importance.

This book delves deep into the topic, exploring various aspects and challenging traditional notions.

It offers valuable insights and practical advice that I can apply in my daily life while guiding my son.

The author's writing style is engaging and easy to understand, making it accessible to a wide range of readers.

I have found this book to be an invaluable resource and I can't recommend it enough!

It is a must-read for anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of masculinity and its role in our society.

Whether you are a parent, a teacher, or simply someone interested in the topic, this book will surely leave a lasting impression.

Rohr tells us compelling stories of male initiation rites in history.

These rites have played a significant role in shaping the identity and character of men throughout the ages.

He lays out a strong case for why we need to regain this part of our culture again.

In today's society, many young men are lacking a sense of purpose and direction.

The traditional male initiation rites can provide them with a framework and a set of values to follow.

They can also help young men to develop a sense of responsibility, respect, and brotherhood.

By regaining these rites, we can help to create a more stable and healthy society for future generations.

Rohr's work is a timely reminder of the importance of our cultural heritage and the need to preserve and pass it on to the next generation.

Grāmata, kas palīdz sievietēm daudz labāk izprast vīriešu pasaules redzējumu, vīriešu iniciāciju un identitāti, ir ļoti noderīga. Taču šī nebija viegla lasāmviela. Priekš manis, īpaši, jo vismaz šeit tiek runāts pārāk daudz reliģijas.

Šī grāmata sākumā varētu izriet kā interesanta un informatīva, bet pēc tam, kad sākas daudzās vietās īpaši koncentrēties uz reliģiju, tas var kļūt par sarežģītu un nelabvēlīgu lasīšanas pieredzi. Vīriešu pasaules redzējums un identitāte varētu tikt izprastas arī bez tik lielas reliģiskas sastāvdaļas.

Vēl vairāk, iespējams, ka dažām sievietēm, kuras nav īpaši ieinteresētas reliģijā, šī daudzuma runām par reliģiju var kļūt par pārāk daudz un nedaudz pārāk saspiežus. Tomēr, neskatoties uz to, ka šī grāmata ir sarežģīta un nav viegla lasāmviela, tā joprojām varētu būt noderīga sievietēm, kas vēlas vairāk izprast vīriešu pasaules redzējumu un identitāti.

This book was truly remarkable and proved to be extremely beneficial when I was reflecting on my oldest child即将turning 13. The truths it presented were not only of great significance but also rather challenging to come to terms with. These were the so-called initiation truths.

First and foremost, it emphasized that "Life is Hard." This simple yet profound statement serves as a wake-up call,提醒us that life is not always a bed of roses. We will encounter numerous obstacles and difficulties along the way.

Another truth was "You are not Important." This may seem harsh at first, but it forces us to look beyond our own self-importance and realize that there is a much bigger world out there.

"Your life is not about you" further reinforces this idea, highlighting the importance of considering the needs and well-being of others.

"You are not in control" is also a humbling truth. No matter how much we plan and try to manipulate situations, there are always factors beyond our control that can influence the outcome.

Finally, the book did not shy away from the inevitable truth that "You are going to die." While this may be a difficult concept to face, it serves as a reminder to make the most of our time here on earth.

Overall, this list of initiation truths was pretty intense, but it provided valuable food for thought as I navigated this new stage in my child's life.

A very useful resource for Men's Groups has emerged. This resource offers a wealth of information and support that can greatly benefit the members of such groups. It provides valuable insights into various aspects of men's lives, including personal growth, relationships, and career development.

With this resource, men can come together and share their experiences, learn from one another, and find solutions to common problems. It serves as a platform for open and honest discussions, where men can express their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment.

The resource also offers practical tools and strategies that men can implement in their daily lives. These may include tips on communication, stress management, and self-care. By utilizing these resources, men can enhance their well-being and improve their overall quality of life.

In conclusion, this resource is a valuable asset for Men's Groups. It provides a much-needed support system and a wealth of knowledge that can help men thrive in all areas of their lives.

Excellent take on masculinity and review of the 5 truths that have shaped masculine culture prior to the 19th century. This exploration delves deep into the core aspects of what it meant to be a man during that era. It uncovers the hidden layers and examines how these truths influenced the behavior, values, and identity of men.

One of the truths might have been the emphasis on physical strength and courage. Men were expected to be fearless in the face of challenges and to prove their worth through their ability to overcome obstacles. Another truth could have been the importance of honor and reputation. A man's good name was highly valued and any act that could tarnish it was to be avoided at all costs.

The concept of leadership and authority was also a significant part of masculine culture. Men were seen as the natural leaders in society, responsible for making decisions and guiding their families and communities. Additionally, the idea of sexual prowess and virility was often associated with masculinity.

By understanding these 5 truths, we can gain a better understanding of the complex and multifaceted nature of masculinity prior to the 19th century. It allows us to see how these ideals have evolved over time and how they continue to shape our perception of what it means to be a man today.

I truly hate giving such a low rating to this book.

The reason is that if by any chance you have the opportunity to see Richard Rohr in person, you will instantly fall in love with him.

I have a deep love for his teachings. However, when it comes to reading his writings, it is a completely different story and rather difficult to follow.

This is quite strange because in person, he is the exact opposite. His presence is so engaging and his words flow so smoothly that it's easy to be captivated.

But for some reason, that same magic doesn't seem to translate well onto the written page.

Perhaps it's the format or the way the ideas are presented.

Nonetheless, it's a disappointment because I really wanted to be able to fully understand and absorb his teachings through his written work.

Despite the low rating for the book, I still hold a great deal of respect and admiration for Richard Rohr and his teachings.

I just hope that in the future, there might be a way to make his written work more accessible and engaging for readers like me.

This is a good, if not great, book.

Certainly, Richard Rohr knows his stuff when it comes to male spirituality and male initiation. He has a deep understanding of these topics and presents his ideas in an engaging and accessible way.

Sometimes, however, he paints men with a rather broad brush that describes majority opinions and needs as if they were universal. This can be a bit of a limitation, as not all men will fit neatly into the categories he presents.

His explanation of male archetypes was quite helpful, though. It provided a framework for understanding the different aspects of male identity and how they can develop over time.

And he does a very good job identifying the problem of a lack of initiation in contemporary culture. This is an important issue that has far-reaching implications for men's well-being and their ability to contribute to society in a positive way.

Overall, while this book may not be perfect, it is still a valuable read for anyone interested in male spirituality and initiation.

So this book was given to me as a task. Reading the introduction written by Juris Rubenis, I was really surprised - how could it possibly apply to me? For about half a year I "studied" this book. Line by line, out of respect for the giver ;) For me, who believes in "you", there were many references to the Bible and the works of other authors (the bibliography list is 14 pages long!) that bothered me. It's harmful if the idea is not based on facts but is explained by referring to a book that I haven't read. Phrases and expressions that are repeated countless times, each time not saying anything more.

However, the message of the book itself intrigued me - the very initiation, examples from different cultures, explanations of what it means to become and be a man. The role of a father in good upbringing. Feelings and events that I'm familiar with from childhood, and events that I'm experiencing now as I'm raising my own son. A lot of it is worth thinking about. A lot of it seemed incomprehensible and unbelievable when reading. Unbelievable not in the style of science fiction, but, for example, the claim that there comes a moment in every man's life when he (consciously or unconsciously) looks for a way to feel grown up, was unbelievable to me because such a moment hadn't come in my life yet. And for some people, it may never come if no one - a father, society or some radical events - actively push them towards it. This book is also about that.

Some time after I put the book (which I hadn't read to the end) aside, my moment of "searching for myself" also came. And, after some events, I opened this book again at the place where I had left off. Suddenly it was a book for me! Everything that had previously seemed like a view from the side of a hypothetical situation in someone else's life suddenly became a description of my spiritual state. I understood a lot of what I hadn't understood before. I reread the parts that had seemed interesting before to notice things that I had overlooked before.

Has any of it helped me to grow? I don't know. But I do understand that there is a place to grow and something to strive for. Would I recommend this book to others? Until I find something simpler, easier to read, clearer, then yes, I wish every man the patience to read this book!