About Me

“We all stumble into ourselves

like this, fitting our fingers to the shape of letters,

while the page gallops out of our reach”  — Rebecca Seiferle

My name is Bob Toohey–poet, essayist, retreat and small group facilitator, husband, father, grandfather, classic movie buff, and mountaineer.

The classical essayist Michel de Montaigne wrote “Every man has within himself the entire human condition”. 

On this site I offer for your consideration  personal reflections on how I stumble forward  “into myself” –into the human condition. Here are my musings on the complex but intimate relationship between my inner and outer experiences, and the impact they have on each other.

I hope these reflections help to shine a light on the events of your own life and how they are making you who you are.

A full life is one that stays open and receptive to events and circumstances as they unfold, whether pleasant, difficult, ecstatic, or sorrowful. I know if I stay open and receptive, then often I will be wonderfully surprised and sometimes blown away with awe.

I am also learning how necessary it is that I am connected to you my fellow travelers,  and to God. The work of life is broadening and deepening  these connections.

Enjoying a fulfilling and satisfying life requires intentionality, openness, and flexibility. While my desire for that is always propelling me forward, the practice of it is anything but smooth and direct. I slip. I slide.  I stumble. But then I get up,  because some inner force propels me towards more. As St. Bernard said,

“I can teach only what I know myself. I could not very well describe the way up. I am more used to falling down than to climbing. I can only tell you what I know myself–the downward path.”

Hence the title of this Blog “Falling Forward“.

The subtitle  “Hidden Ground” is a metaphor for being supported and sustained by something ineffable–something beyond my knowledge, my experience, my skills or abilities. This Hidden Ground I call God.

Growing in awareness of this “hidden ground” is the underlying theme of these reflections.

I am indebted to the worlds wisdom literature, from Job to Jesus, and from Bill Wilson to Thomas Merton. From Poets and artists, and from friends and family. I look forward to sharing with you how I am “falling forward”  into ever-surprising  dimensions of  life.

I warmly invite you to join me as we stumble together–to learn how to live both gently and well.

While here, I invite you to explore related content on the menu links listed below;

1. Falling Forward Home Page: A brief description and link to each blog post
2. About this Site: The page you are on now
3. Poems: A selection of original poetry
4. Essays: A selection of longer personal essays
5. Favorites: A sample of my influences and inspiration.
6. Group Sessions: How to contact me if your group would like a facilitated discussion, poetry reading, a reflection session, or spiritual retreat.

I hope you will find something here that prompts you to reach for more. If you would like to subscribe to periodic notifications or otherwise correspond thru email, please subscribe below.

With kind appreciation,

Bob