A Journey into the second half of our own lives awaits us all. Not everybody goes there. A ‘further journey’ is a well-kept secret for some reason. Many people are unaware that one exists.
— Paraphrased from Richard Rohr, Falling Upward
My own “further journey,” as Rohr calls it, has consisted of three phases thus far. Although the phases are distinct, they are not isolated or sequential. Each one continues to unfold with time and informs the others in a generative cycle of learning and growth.
The Three Phases
Discovering True Self
Going within oneself to learn who we are beneath our egoic self takes time, intention, curiosity, non-judgment, and a sincere desire to understand: “Who am I?”. To learn the answers to this question means we must become objective observers of ourselves and resist every impulse to justify and defend what we uncover as we peel back the layers.
Some may believe that self-discovery work is unproductive and self-indulgent. It’s not—it’s quite the opposite. When we begin to glimpse the essential nature of our True Self and the beautiful aspects within that we had no hand in creating, the overwhelming urge from this place is to share those gifts in service to others, with humility and generosity.
Acknowledging our soul’s longing
This phase has two parts, as far as I’m aware. The first is discerning our soul’s longing, and the second is accepting it. For some, this may be their first inkling of a further journey. This vague awareness might feel like a mysterious or unexplained nudge toward something that feels simultaneously true yet remains just out of sight.
This nudge is calling us into the discernment part of this phase. Others, however, have known clearly for years what their soul has longed for, but for any number of reasons, they’ve not acted on it. For these people, accepting their soul’s longing as legitimate and something worth moving toward becomes the primary work of this phase.
Offering our work to the world
Learning to see and understand ourselves and what wants to happen through us is the work of the earlier phases. It’s humbling, validating, and rewarding. However, to move through this third phase we must come down from the metaphorical mountain.
We must engage with reality and our analytical minds if we are going to offer our work to the world in a way that is useful and sustainable. This shift from discernment and discovery to “real life” can be disillusioning and disorienting. Successfully navigating this phase requires commitment, curiosity, patience, perseverance and trust.
Your experience of the further journey
I’ve shared very briefly here about “the further journey into the second half of our own lives that awaits,” from my experience and observations in those with whom I’ve worked over the years.
- What thoughts or emotions came up for you as you read?
- How aware or convinced are you that there may be a further journey calling for your attention?
- What aspects here resonated or felt familiar?
I welcome your thoughts, questions, or comments. You can connect with me at keith@voyagercoachconsult.com.