Compassion Through Spirituality: Frank Rogers Jr

Season 2, Episode 23,    Release Date: 3-19-2024 Empathy Through Connection Frank Rogers Jr., PhD, is professor of Spiritual Formation and Narrative Pedagogy. He is a spiritual director, speaker, retreat leader and author. His books include, “Practicing Compassion,” and “Compassion in Practice: The Way of Jesus,” as well the fiction work, “The God of Shattered Glass.” He is the cofounder of the Center for Engaged Compassion. Find out more about Frank Rogers Jr. here: www.centerforengagedcompassion.com/rogers.html    Frank wrote and dedicates his latest book, “Cradled in the Arms of Compassion” to his sister who took her life. He honors her spirit and also answers a question that she had for him before she passed, “How did you find healing?”   “A kindness doesn’t take the pain away, but it helps you get through it,” shared by Sister Veronique at Our Lady of the Redwoods. Frank said, “Kindness keeps the spirit alive, as we are going through suffering… that speaks to my heart.” Frank shares how compassionate Self-Restoration two fundamental components: (1) Everything happens inside of you for a reason, and we can listen to this wisdom (2) We have a self-essence, and we can always trust this no matter what we face Frank shares how he sees self energy as a spiritual energy. He said, "This is a cosmic energy to this as well, and we can plug into this energy." We spoke about Bob Falconer’s book, “The Others Within Us.” When speak about the common IFS term "burdens" Frank shared that another term used for this in religion is “demons.” He spoke about how demons can affect us on an individual level (our personal demons) a community level, and even on cosmic levels. Demons can always be met with compassion, and helped to return to the part of the universe where they belong!  “IFS is the belief in the inner goodness of all things when met with love and compassion.” I also asked, “How do we spread this urgent message that there can be more healing and compassion in the world?” Frank’s beautiful answer is that we, “follow the self-energy to where it takes us. We all can find our unique gifts, and use these to spread this positive energy within our sphere of influence.”  Frank was interviewed on "Deconstructing the Myth Podcast: Episode 43." At the end of this episode, Frank Rogers Jr. explains the name of my Podcast better than I ever could! He completed understood my intension for naming this podcast, "Empowered Through Compassion." Thank you, Frank for such a lovely conversation and connection!