Richard Rohr - Live Quotes

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If we don't learn to mythologize our lives, inevitably we will pathologize them.

Richard Rohr

We have defined freedom in the West as the freedom to choose between options and preferences. That's not primal freedom. That's a secondary or even tertiary freedom. The primal freedom is the freedom to be the self, the freedom to live in the truth despite all circumstances. That's what great religion offers us. That's what real prayer offers us. That's why the saints could be imprisoned and not lose their souls. They could be put down and persecuted like Jesus and still not lose their joy, their heart, or their perspective. Secular freedom is having to do what you want to do. Religious freedom is wanting to do what you have to do.

Richard Rohr

Much of my criticism of religion comes about when I see it not only affirming the system of normalcy but teaching folks how to live there comfortably. It just increases our stuckness in the old world. As does a lot of poor psychotherapy. Cheap religion teaches us how to live successfully in a sick system.

Richard Rohr