Richard Rohr Teachings
1. Background
Richard Rohr (b. 1943) is a Franciscan priest and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Deeply influenced by Catholic mysticism, the desert fathers and mothers, Francis of Assisi, and contemporary interfaith dialogue, Rohr has become a leading spiritual writer and teacher. He is known for making Christian contemplative spirituality accessible to modern seekers across traditions.
2. Core Themes in Rohr’s Teaching
A. True Self and False Self
Rohr distinguishes between the False Self and the True Self. The False Self is the ego-constructed identity - achievements, roles, possessions, and cultural or religious labels. The True Self is our deepest identity, rooted in God and beyond ego. Spiritual growth is about dying to the False Self and awakening to the True Self, echoing Jesus’ teaching: 'Lose your life to find it.
B. Non-Dual Consciousness
Rohr critiques the Western tendency toward dualistic, either/or thinking. He encourages a shift to non-dual awareness - both/and thinking, the ability to hold paradox, and perceiving unity beneath apparent opposites. This is the contemplative mind, the perspective of mystics and spiritually mature individuals.
C. Everything Belongs
Rohr insists that all of reality, even the broken and painful parts, is included in God. Spiritual maturity involves learning to say 'yes' to everything as part of the whole, rather than dividing life into sacred/profane or good/bad. Grace is inclusive, not exclusive, and salvation is about union rather than separation.
D. Christ as Universal Presence
Rohr’s theology of the 'Universal Christ' emphasizes Christ not as Jesus’ last name but as the eternal Word (Logos) through whom all things were made. Christ is the divine presence in all creation—a cosmic reality not confined to Christianity. Jesus uniquely embodied this Christ reality, but all beings share in it.
E. The Human Journey: Two Halves of Life
Rohr describes the spiritual journey in terms of two halves. The First Half of Life is concerned with building identity, security, and boundaries - necessary but limited. The Second Half of Life involves letting go, embracing paradox, and seeking union with God and others. Suffering, failure, and loss are essential gateways to moving into the second half.
F. Action and Contemplation
Rohr insists that authentic spirituality must unite contemplation (inner transformation) with action (justice, compassion, and solidarity). Mysticism without engagement risks becoming self-absorbed, while activism without contemplation becomes angry or shallow. Contemplation fuels meaningful action in the world.
G. Love as the Shape of God
For Rohr, God is love itself, not a being who sometimes chooses to love. The Trinity is understood as relationship, flow, and communion - love moving eternally among Father, Son, and Spirit. To live in God is to live in this same flow of self-giving love.
H. Death and Transformation
Rohr emphasizes the 'paschal mystery': death and resurrection as the universal pattern of reality. We must let go, die to self, and embrace the unknown - again and again - to awaken to deeper life. Death itself is not the end but a transition into greater union with God.
3. Rohr’s Key Works
• Everything Belongs - foundational text on non-dual
thinking
• Falling Upward - on the two halves of life
• Immortal Diamond - on the True Self and False Self
• Breathing Under Water - connecting 12-step spirituality with Christian
mysticism
• The Universal Christ - Rohr’s most expansive vision of Christ’s cosmic
presence4. Rohr in Dialogue with Non-Duality
Rohr’s teachings resonate strongly with Eastern non-duality. His concept of the True Self parallels the idea of pure awareness, and his embrace of non-dual consciousness reflects Advaita’s recognition of unity. He also emphasizes letting go of ego identity. However, his framework is distinctly Christian, grounded in Christ and the Trinity. Unlike some non-dual traditions that view the material world as illusion, Rohr sees embodiment and suffering as central to the path. His vision is relational and love-centered.
5. Summary Statement
Richard Rohr’s teaching is a Christian contemplative path to non-duality, expressed through the language of the True Self, Christ, and Love. He invites seekers to move beyond ego and dualism, embrace all of reality as belonging to God, and awaken to the universal Christ present in all creation. His approach is pastoral and practical, uniting prayer and action, inner awakening and outer justice, in a vision of wholeness, love, and transformation.