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===
영성 수업 - 믿음으로 사는 지혜를 듣다
헨리 나우웬 (지은이),윤종석 (옮긴이)두란노2007-12-04
Sales Point : 2,651
10.0 100자평(2)리뷰(1)
210쪽
책소개
영성 상담자 헨리 나우웬의 강의록을 책으로 엮었다.
하나님과 친밀해지기 위한 세 가지 훈련법이 제시되어 있으며
이를 통해 영적인 삶의 성장과 성숙을 이끌도록 한다.
목차
머리말 - 영성 수업을 위한 훈련들
첫 번째 시간: 자신의 마음을 들여다보라
1. 마음을 다스리다
- 매일 1시간씩 비워두기
2. 하나님의 음성을 듣다
- 순종하기
3. 하나님의 사랑을 받다
- 기도하기
4. 예수님의 마음을 닮다
- 사랑하기
두 번째 시간: 책 속에서 하나님을 보라
1. 성경으로 기도를 배우다
- 기도의 시간·장소·방법
2. 나에게 하나님은 누구인가
- 하나님에 관한 4가지 진리
3. 말씀을 듣는 습관
- 영적 독서 · 영적 글쓰기
세 번째 시간: 공동체 안에서 이웃을 보라
1. 영적 공동체 만들기
- 용서와 축하가 있는 곳
2. 세상을 품고 나가다
- 각양 은사대로 섬기기
부록 1. 영적 질문에 대한 해답을 담은 책
부록 2. 영성 지도자를 찾는 법
후주
======
저자 및 역자소개
헨리 나우웬 (Henri J.M. Nouwen) (지은이)
저자파일
신간알리미 신청
20세기의 가장 혁신적이고 영향력 큰 그리스도교 영성가 중 한 사람이다. 그의 비전은 넓고 포괄적이었으며, 그의 연민은 인류 전체의 아픔을 보듬었다. 나우웬은 네덜란드의 독실한 가톨릭 가정에서 네 자녀 중 맏이로 태어났다. 어려서부터 신앙에 이끌렸던 그는 1957년 사제 서품을 받았다. 가톨릭교회가 제2차 바티칸공의회의 역사적인 개혁을 향해 나아가던 시기였다.
이 개혁에 따라 가톨릭교회가 채택한 전향적이고 포용적인 태도가 나우웬에게 지대한 영향을 미쳤다. 그는 네덜란드에서 심리학을 공부한 뒤 미국으로 건너가 캔자스주 토피카에 있... 더보기
최근작 : <상처 입은 치유자>,<헨리 나우웬의 공동체>,<삶이 묻고 나우웬이 답하다> … 총 351종 (모두보기)
윤종석 (옮긴이)
서강대 영어영문학과를 졸업하였으며 미국 Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary에서 교육학(MA)을, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School에서 상담학(MA)을 공부하였다.
그는 탁월하고 유연한 언어 구사능력을 가진 대표적인 번역가로서 《하나님의 임재 연습》 《놀라운 하나님의 은혜》(IVP), 《예수님처럼》(복있는사람), 《영성에도 색깔이 있다》 《부모학교》 《뇌, 하나님 설계의 비밀》(CUP) 등 다수의 책을 번역하였다.
최근작 : <묵상하는 삶>,<아침마다 새로우니> … 총 449종 (모두보기)
===
출판사 제공 책소개
지금, 간절히 원하는 것이 있다면
매일 1시간씩 하나님께 구하라!
세계적인 영성 상담자 헨리 나우웬의 명강의를 한 권에 담은 영적 지혜의 전수!
기도를 하면 하나님을 내 맥박과 호흡 속으로,
생각과 감정 속으로 받아들이게 된다.
기도는 우리를 하나님의 임재 안에 서게 한다.
두려움과 불안,
죄책감과 수치심,
탐욕과 분노,
기쁨과 성공,
무엇보다 나를 나 되게 하는 모든 것으로 그 앞에 서게 한다.
=====
마니아 읽고 싶어요 (1) 읽고 있어요 (5) 읽었어요 (8)
구매자 (2)
전체 (2)
공감순
성령님을 내 마음에 모시기 위해선 끝임없이 노력해야함을 깨닫는다. 구매
hestia-hong 2008-02-21 공감 (0) 댓글 (0)
Thanks to
공감
돈 안들이고 행복해지는 ㅈ책입니다 구매
뽀삐 2020-02-29 공감 (0) 댓글 (0)
Thanks to
공감
마이리뷰
구매자 (1)
너는 내 사랑하는 자라 내가 너를 기뻐하노라..
예수님이 세례 요한으로부터 세례를 받을때 하나님이 기뻐하시며 하신 이 말씀은... 곧 하나님께서 지금도 우리에게 늘 말씀하시는 음성에 귀기울여야 한다. 그것이 핵심의 진리이며, 우린 이 진리가 중심으로 바로 서는 것...이 훈련이 얼마나 중요한지를 헨리는 우리에게 권고한다.
Jhynny 2018-06-11 공감(0) 댓글(0)
Thanks to
공감
===
Spiritual Direction
By Henri J. M. Nouwen
4.5/5 (3 ratings)
206 pages
6 hours
Description
Henri Nouwen
Spiritual Direction
By Henri J. M. Nouwen
4.5/5 (3 ratings)
206 pages
6 hours
Description
Henri Nouwen
—beloved author, priest, and internationally recognized spiritual master, counselor, and guide
—offers gentle wisdom for universal questions of the spiritual life:
Who am I?
Where have I been and where am I going?
Who is God for me?
Where do I belong?
How can I be of service?
As a priest, pastor, and professor of spirituality at Notre Dame, Yale, and Harvard, Nouwen offered spiritual direction to many students,
Who am I?
Where have I been and where am I going?
Who is God for me?
Where do I belong?
How can I be of service?
As a priest, pastor, and professor of spirituality at Notre Dame, Yale, and Harvard, Nouwen offered spiritual direction to many students,
but his famous course on spiritual direction was never recorded during his lifetime.
Now, in Spiritual Direction, the first of a series, one of Nouwen's students (Michael Christensen) and one of his editors (Rebecca Laird) have developed his courses and practice of spiritual direction into a book of profound wisdom for living a deep spiritual life.
===
Spiritual Direction: Wisdom for the Long Walk of Faith Paperback – March 10, 2015
by Henri J. M. Nouwen (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars 271 ratings
Kindle from $6.99
192 pages
March 10, 2015
4.7 out of 5 stars 288
Editorial Reviews
Review
“Read this book and you will understand why I chose Henri Nouwen as a companion on my own spiritual journey.” — Bill Moyers
About the Author
Henri J.M. Nouwen was a world-renowned spiritual guide, counselor, and bestselling author of over forty books that many today consider spiritual classics. He taught at the universities of Harvard, Yale, and Notre Dame before becoming the senior pastor of L’Arche Daybreak in Toronto, Canada, a community where men and women with intellectual disabilities and their assistants create a home for one another.
======
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Spiritual Direction Wisdom for the Long Walk of Faith
===
Spiritual Direction: Wisdom for the Long Walk of Faith Paperback – March 10, 2015
by Henri J. M. Nouwen (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars 271 ratings
Kindle from $6.99
192 pages
March 10, 2015
4.7 out of 5 stars 288
Editorial Reviews
Review
“Read this book and you will understand why I chose Henri Nouwen as a companion on my own spiritual journey.” — Bill Moyers
About the Author
Henri J.M. Nouwen was a world-renowned spiritual guide, counselor, and bestselling author of over forty books that many today consider spiritual classics. He taught at the universities of Harvard, Yale, and Notre Dame before becoming the senior pastor of L’Arche Daybreak in Toronto, Canada, a community where men and women with intellectual disabilities and their assistants create a home for one another.
======
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Spiritual Direction Wisdom for the Long Walk of Faith
By Henri J. M. Nouwen
=====
Chapter One Who Will Answer My Questions?
A buddhist monk once came to visit me and told me the following story:
The Zen Master
Many years ago, there was a young man who searched for truth, happiness, joy, and the right way of living. After many years of traveling, many diverse experiences, and many hardships, he realized that he had not found any answers for his questions and that he needed a teacher. One day he heard about a famous Zen Master. Immediately he went to him, threw himself at his feet, and said: "Please, Master, be my teacher."
The Master listened to him, accepted his request, and made him his personal secretary. Wherever the Master went, his new secretary went with him. But although the Master spoke to many people who came to him for advice and counsel, he never spoke to his secretary. After three years, the young man was so disappointed and frustrated that he no longer could restrain himself. One day he burst out in anger, saying to his Master: "I have sacrificed everything, given away all I had, and followed you. Why haven't you taught me?" The Master looked at him with great compassion and said: "Don't you understand that I have been teaching you during every moment you have been with me? When you bring me a cup of tea, don't I drink it? When you bow to me, don't I bow to you? When you clean my desk, don't I say: 'Thank you very much'?"
The young man could not grasp what his Master was saying and became very confused. Then suddenly the Master shouted at the top of his voice: "When you see, you see it direct." At that moment the young man received enlightenment.
7
The distance between a Zen Master in the Far East teaching an eager young student and a Chris-tian spiritual director in the West responding to a spiritual seeker might seem a wide bridge to cross. Still, this story powerfully points to the wisdom we need to live the questions of our lives, both alone and in community, as we seek our mission in the world.
The young man in the Zen story has unspoken but urgent questions: What is truth? How may I find joy and happiness? What is the right way of living? To his, we might add our own life questions: What am I to do with my life? Whom shall I marry? Where shall I live? What gifts do I have to share? What do I do with my loneliness? Why am I so needy for affection, approval, or power? How can I overcome my fears, my shame, my addictions, and my sense of inadequacy or of failure?
Once, quite a few years ago, I had the opportunity of meeting Mother Teresa of Calcutta. I was struggling with many things at the time and decided to use the occasion to ask Mother Teresa's advice. As soon as we sat down I started explaining all my problems and difficulties -- trying to convince her of how complicated it all was! When, after ten minutes of elaborate explanation, I finally became quiet, Mother Teresa looked at me and quietly said: "Well, when you spend one hour a day adoring your Lord and never do anything which you know is wrong . . . you will be fine!"
When she said this, I realized, suddenly, that she had punctured my big balloon of complex self-complaints and pointed me far beyond myself to the place of real healing. Reflecting on this brief but decisive encounter, I realized that I had raised a question from below and that she had given an answer from above. At first, her answer didn't seem to fit my question, but then I began to see that her answer came from God's place and not from the place of my complaints. Most of the time we respond to questions from below with answers from below. The result is often more confusion. Mother Teresa's answer was like a flash of lightning in my darkness.
Seeking spiritual direction, for me, means to ask the big questions, the fundamental questions, the universal ones in the context of a supportive community. Out of asking the right questions and living the questions will come right actions that present themselves in compelling ways. To live the questions and act rightly, guided by God's spirit, requires both discipline and courage: discipline to "ask, seek, knock" until the door opens (see Matthew 7:7–8).
What questions are people asking?
You may not be able to formulate an ultimate life question right now. Sometimes we feel so much fear and anxiety, and identify so closely with our suffering, that our pain masks the questions. Once pain or confusion is framed or articulated by a question, it must be lived rather than answered. The first task of seeking guidance then is to touch your own struggles, doubts, and insecurities -- in short, to affirm your life as a quest.8 Your life, my life, is given graciously by God. Our lives are not problems to be solved but journeys to be taken with Jesus as our friend and finest guide.
This is where the ministry of spiritual direction -- along with the other interpersonal disciplines of the spiritual life: preaching, teaching, counseling, and pastoral care -- can help. These interpersonal resources are intended to help people find a friendly distance from their own lives so that what they are experiencing can be brought into the light in the form of a question to be lived.
A person of faith from long ago who asked and lived the difficult questions of existence was Job. A careful reading of the biblical Book of Job shows that Job's questions are "answered" by his friends, but not by God. As he lives his own questions in the face of suffering, all Job can say is, "The Lord gives and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised" (Job 1:21).
Excerpted from
Spiritual Direction by Henri J. M. Nouwen
===============
Customer Reviews: 4.7 out of 5 stars 271 ratings
====
Top reviews from the United States
Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Great to read Henri (sort of)
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2020
Verified Purchase
I am a Henri Nouwen fan. His insights and ability to communicate always speak to me. This is book is based on Henri's material ... but it is a compilation. In the back of my mind I always had a small question of whether this was really Henri's words. As much as I liked the content, I guess I would have preferred to have Henri's material quoted rather than ghost written.
2 people found this helpful
===
Erica215
5.0 out of 5 stars What an inspirational book!
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2016
I am interested in becoming a spiritual director and wanted to find some good books on the subject and this book has not failed in bringing me the insight I was looking for in this field.
=====
Chapter One Who Will Answer My Questions?
A buddhist monk once came to visit me and told me the following story:
The Zen Master
Many years ago, there was a young man who searched for truth, happiness, joy, and the right way of living. After many years of traveling, many diverse experiences, and many hardships, he realized that he had not found any answers for his questions and that he needed a teacher. One day he heard about a famous Zen Master. Immediately he went to him, threw himself at his feet, and said: "Please, Master, be my teacher."
The Master listened to him, accepted his request, and made him his personal secretary. Wherever the Master went, his new secretary went with him. But although the Master spoke to many people who came to him for advice and counsel, he never spoke to his secretary. After three years, the young man was so disappointed and frustrated that he no longer could restrain himself. One day he burst out in anger, saying to his Master: "I have sacrificed everything, given away all I had, and followed you. Why haven't you taught me?" The Master looked at him with great compassion and said: "Don't you understand that I have been teaching you during every moment you have been with me? When you bring me a cup of tea, don't I drink it? When you bow to me, don't I bow to you? When you clean my desk, don't I say: 'Thank you very much'?"
The young man could not grasp what his Master was saying and became very confused. Then suddenly the Master shouted at the top of his voice: "When you see, you see it direct." At that moment the young man received enlightenment.
7
The distance between a Zen Master in the Far East teaching an eager young student and a Chris-tian spiritual director in the West responding to a spiritual seeker might seem a wide bridge to cross. Still, this story powerfully points to the wisdom we need to live the questions of our lives, both alone and in community, as we seek our mission in the world.
The young man in the Zen story has unspoken but urgent questions: What is truth? How may I find joy and happiness? What is the right way of living? To his, we might add our own life questions: What am I to do with my life? Whom shall I marry? Where shall I live? What gifts do I have to share? What do I do with my loneliness? Why am I so needy for affection, approval, or power? How can I overcome my fears, my shame, my addictions, and my sense of inadequacy or of failure?
Once, quite a few years ago, I had the opportunity of meeting Mother Teresa of Calcutta. I was struggling with many things at the time and decided to use the occasion to ask Mother Teresa's advice. As soon as we sat down I started explaining all my problems and difficulties -- trying to convince her of how complicated it all was! When, after ten minutes of elaborate explanation, I finally became quiet, Mother Teresa looked at me and quietly said: "Well, when you spend one hour a day adoring your Lord and never do anything which you know is wrong . . . you will be fine!"
When she said this, I realized, suddenly, that she had punctured my big balloon of complex self-complaints and pointed me far beyond myself to the place of real healing. Reflecting on this brief but decisive encounter, I realized that I had raised a question from below and that she had given an answer from above. At first, her answer didn't seem to fit my question, but then I began to see that her answer came from God's place and not from the place of my complaints. Most of the time we respond to questions from below with answers from below. The result is often more confusion. Mother Teresa's answer was like a flash of lightning in my darkness.
Seeking spiritual direction, for me, means to ask the big questions, the fundamental questions, the universal ones in the context of a supportive community. Out of asking the right questions and living the questions will come right actions that present themselves in compelling ways. To live the questions and act rightly, guided by God's spirit, requires both discipline and courage: discipline to "ask, seek, knock" until the door opens (see Matthew 7:7–8).
What questions are people asking?
You may not be able to formulate an ultimate life question right now. Sometimes we feel so much fear and anxiety, and identify so closely with our suffering, that our pain masks the questions. Once pain or confusion is framed or articulated by a question, it must be lived rather than answered. The first task of seeking guidance then is to touch your own struggles, doubts, and insecurities -- in short, to affirm your life as a quest.8 Your life, my life, is given graciously by God. Our lives are not problems to be solved but journeys to be taken with Jesus as our friend and finest guide.
This is where the ministry of spiritual direction -- along with the other interpersonal disciplines of the spiritual life: preaching, teaching, counseling, and pastoral care -- can help. These interpersonal resources are intended to help people find a friendly distance from their own lives so that what they are experiencing can be brought into the light in the form of a question to be lived.
A person of faith from long ago who asked and lived the difficult questions of existence was Job. A careful reading of the biblical Book of Job shows that Job's questions are "answered" by his friends, but not by God. As he lives his own questions in the face of suffering, all Job can say is, "The Lord gives and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised" (Job 1:21).
Excerpted from
Spiritual Direction by Henri J. M. Nouwen
===============
Customer Reviews: 4.7 out of 5 stars 271 ratings
====
Top reviews from the United States
Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Great to read Henri (sort of)
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2020
Verified Purchase
I am a Henri Nouwen fan. His insights and ability to communicate always speak to me. This is book is based on Henri's material ... but it is a compilation. In the back of my mind I always had a small question of whether this was really Henri's words. As much as I liked the content, I guess I would have preferred to have Henri's material quoted rather than ghost written.
2 people found this helpful
===
Erica215
5.0 out of 5 stars What an inspirational book!
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2016
I am interested in becoming a spiritual director and wanted to find some good books on the subject and this book has not failed in bringing me the insight I was looking for in this field.
I am not even half way into the book and I can't rave enough of the inapiration of right to the point knowledge of Henri Nouwen on the topic of spiritual direction. So much wisdom in such a small 200 page book. I love it!
7 people found this helpful
====
Charles
5.0 out of 5 stars Go for it!
Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2021
Verified Purchase
A compilation of writings, well edited, that communicate Nouwen’s heart on spiritual formation and movements of the heart.
7 people found this helpful
====
Charles
5.0 out of 5 stars Go for it!
Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2021
Verified Purchase
A compilation of writings, well edited, that communicate Nouwen’s heart on spiritual formation and movements of the heart.
If you care to go deeper, read this, then find a soul friend who will tell you the truth.
====
Dr. Becky Slabaugh
5.0 out of 5 stars
====
Dr. Becky Slabaugh
5.0 out of 5 stars
A walk of faith to a journey of discoveries
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2016
Verified Purchase
Henri Nouwen's pull on God was a stunner, activating my Spirit as my walk of faith became a journey of discoveries unlocking me to places I had yet to discover in the heart of God.
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2016
Verified Purchase
Henri Nouwen's pull on God was a stunner, activating my Spirit as my walk of faith became a journey of discoveries unlocking me to places I had yet to discover in the heart of God.
This book is a slow-drip read that if you are open will be a door to discovering God's wisdom for the long walk of faith.
Customer image
4 people found this helpful
===
Maya
5.0 out of 5 stars You won't be disappointed.
Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2015
Verified Purchase
So many nuggets of wisdom in this book. I would recommend it for those beginning their journey as well as for those who have been in touch with God for years and years. It's very uplifting, practical, and full of helpful encouragement.
3 people found this helpful
==
L. Mastro
5.0 out of 5 stars Practical and mystical guidance
Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2017
Verified Purchase
This book is a gem for both practical and mystical guidance. The narrative informs and entertains while the practices offer insights and tools to make the learning come alive.
2 people found this helpful
==
Top reviews from other countries
Peter
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 16, 2013
Verified Purchase
As a fan of Henri Nouwen, I was a little perturbed that on receiving the book it had been produced after his death and thus was the product not of his own crafting but rather those who had worked closely with him.
Customer image
4 people found this helpful
===
Maya
5.0 out of 5 stars You won't be disappointed.
Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2015
Verified Purchase
So many nuggets of wisdom in this book. I would recommend it for those beginning their journey as well as for those who have been in touch with God for years and years. It's very uplifting, practical, and full of helpful encouragement.
3 people found this helpful
==
L. Mastro
5.0 out of 5 stars Practical and mystical guidance
Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2017
Verified Purchase
This book is a gem for both practical and mystical guidance. The narrative informs and entertains while the practices offer insights and tools to make the learning come alive.
2 people found this helpful
==
Top reviews from other countries
Peter
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 16, 2013
Verified Purchase
As a fan of Henri Nouwen, I was a little perturbed that on receiving the book it had been produced after his death and thus was the product not of his own crafting but rather those who had worked closely with him.
However, I should not have been concerned. The style keeps closely to that which I have become familiar in the way that Henri Nouwen expressed his insights and his spirituality,
exposing his vulnerability but inspiring our own life journey.
Most of the book is said to come from his personal notes. I have already given the book as a gift to one 80 year old friend from a traditional faith background who has found the layout of the book such an encouragement in the reading of an individual chapter, contemplation and reflection in the form of taking an individual "retreat". It has been inspirational to the deepening and maturing of her faith.
21 people found this helpful
==
Mrs. H. J. Cardwell
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book to encourage deeper prayer
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 12, 2012
Verified Purchase
This book contains a wealth of encouragement to anyone who is struggling with prayer and spiritual direction. It is written for Directors and seekers alike. It also has plenty of ideas for moving deeper into prayer and contemplation.
21 people found this helpful
==
Mrs. H. J. Cardwell
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book to encourage deeper prayer
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 12, 2012
Verified Purchase
This book contains a wealth of encouragement to anyone who is struggling with prayer and spiritual direction. It is written for Directors and seekers alike. It also has plenty of ideas for moving deeper into prayer and contemplation.
The chapters take one question at a time and enable the reader to move on quickly or slowly according to individual need. It encourages every reader to find a spiriual director to share the journey, and has plenty of useful information for those who are already active in this ministry.
14 people found this helpful
===============
14 people found this helpful
===============
Matt Boutte
Oct 04, 2019Matt Boutte rated it liked it
I’m at an interesting place in my life.
At 44 years old I suppose I am, in fact, if not in “middle age” then at least in my middle years. In a year my oldest child will leave for college. In 10 years we’ll be empty nesters. I’ve had a more than reasonable amount of professional success. Enough that if it stopped now, I would have no reason to be disappointed. So I spend a fair amount of time thinking about the next phase of my life, wondering what else my life might be for, thinking about what else might be interesting.
Said differently, am I called to be something different, something more, in the second half of my life than I am today?
I routinely look to books for direction in my life. The Bible, of course, but also other books. Biographies, histories, sometimes novels. Spiritual Direction by Henri Nouwen is one such book and like the best of this kind, didn’t answer my questions so much as it left me with better ones.
Broadly, after a brief preface and introduction to the concepts of spiritual direction (the practice) and spiritual directors (the practitioners) “Spiritual Direction” Is divided into three sections.
Part One: Look Within to the Heart.
“The first and most essential spiritual practice that any spiritual director must ask anyone to pursue is the discipline of the Heart.
Introspection and contemplative prayer is the ancient discipline by which we begin to see God in our heart.”
In some ways this is simultaneously the most comfortable and most uncomfortable part of spiritual direction for me.
You see, I am usually most comfortable in my own head. I like the company and they always laugh at my jokes. I am a person who places a very high value on thinking, self-awareness, and introspection.
The uncomfortable part is that if I spend enough time in introspection, I’m forced to confront those things about myself I don’t like. My insecurities, my prejudices, and my doubts. I’m forced to confront the fact that I’m simultaneously bullshitting my self and the world. I’m not as confident or sure as I pretend to be. In fact, I’m just making it all up as I go along…just like everyone else.
To this Nouwen directly replies,
“When God enters into the center of our lives to unmask our illusion of possessing final solutions and to disarm us with always deeper questions, we will not necessarily have an easier or simpler life, but certainly a life that is honest, courageous, and marked with the ongoing search for truth.”
Yes, Nouwen tells us, we’re called to wade into the morass of our own egos and push through what we find there, comfortable in the promise that God is, was, and always will be there.
Later, Henri (can I call him Henri?) cautions, “The greatest trap in life is not success, popularity, or power, but self-rejection, doubting who we truly are.”
In one sentence Nouwen has summarized what I’m struggling with these days. Who am I, truly? Is the person I present to world, the person I tell myself I am…is that who I truly am? Is that who God is calling me to be now?
And to that Nouwen adds, “The discipline of prayer is to constantly go back to the truth of who we are and claim it for ourselves.”
Part Two: Look to God in the Book
“A second discipline held essential in spiritual direction is the discipline of the Book, in which we look to God through lectio divina – the sacred reading of the scriptures and other spiritual writings.”
In this section Nouwen digs into the hard, solitary work of prayer and reading scripture as disciplines but I quickly begin to feel chastised by Fr. Nouwen.
“As long as we read the Bible or a spiritual book simply to acquire knowledge, our reading does not help us in our spiritual lives. We can become very knowledgeable about spiritual matters without becoming truly spiritual people,” he writes.
Try sitting with that for a while when your theological book shelves are heavy laden. Have I been more interested in acquiring knowledge that I have in deepening my relationship with Christ?
Nouwen provides some knowing solace and counsel with,
“Spiritual reading is far from easy in our modern, intellectual world, where we tend to make anything and everything we read subject to analysis and discussion. Instead of taking the words apart, we should bring them together in our innermost being; instead of wondering if we agree or disagree with what we have read, we should wonder which words are spoken directly to us and connect directly with our most personal story…we should be willing to let them penetrate into the most hidden corners of our hearts, even to those places where no other word has yet found entrance.”
Not content to simply point out the weaknesses in my recent scriptural studies, Nouwen takes aim at my prayer life too.
“Although it is important and even indispensable for the spiritual life to set apart time for God and God alone, prayer can only become unceasing prayer when all our thoughts – beautiful or ugly, high or low, proud or shameful, sorrowful or joyful – can be thought and expressed in the presence of God.”
Then, shooting down my typical filibuster of prayer, he says,
“The truth is prayer is more than feeling, speaking, thinking, or conversing with God. To pray also means to be quiet and listen, whether or not we feel God is speaking to us. More than anything, prayer is primarily listening and waiting. We listen for God in an attitude of openness of heart, humility of spirit, and quietness of soul. We let our mind descend into our heart and there stand in the presence of God.”
This is exactly what I haven’t been doing. Instead of sitting quietly, listening, and waiting for God, I’ve been doing what the world has rewarded me for doing. Go. Fast. Now. As I sit and reflect on how I’ve been living my life the last many weeks and months, I can feel a physiological response. My breathing has shallowed and my pulse has quickened. Simply by shifting my focus for a moment, I have created a sense of frenzy in my mind that must be present most of the time because I’ve lost touch with it.
“As long as our hearts and minds are filled with words of our own making, there is no space for the Word to enter deeply into our heart and take root.”
I remember a Christian ed class I taught some time ago, where I posed the question: Why does God speak so quietly? Because those with authority, true authority, don’t need to shout. It is clear to me that I’ve been shouting into the world and listening to the world shout in return. What I haven’t been doing is sitting quietly, patiently waiting. It is this stillness that, just in the moments it has taken me to write these words, it has become clear I so desperately need and want.
And finally, Part Three: Look to Others in Community
“The third discipline key to spiritual direction is the discipline of the Church of faith community. This spiritual practice requires us to be in relationship to the people of God, witnessing to the active presence of God in history and in community ‘wherever two or three are gathered in my Name” (Matthew 18:20).
This section is obviously about the need for us to be in relationship with one another, on a personal and a spiritual level, and many of us naturally think of that in the context of church. But once again Nouwen, or more likely God through Nouwen’s words, speaks to me directly where I am this week, this year, and in this season of my life.
This week I leave with our church youth group for our annual trip to do mission work on the Pine Ridge Indian reservation in South Dakota. These have always been and remain very challenging times on the rez and our work there, though valued, makes such a seemingly small impact. My corporate day job is becoming increasing challenging due to regulatory scrutiny, a soul crushing work load, and a blistering pace of cultural change. And as I mentioned at the beginning, I find myself nearing the precipice of the next phase of my life.
What does Fr. Henri have to say to me and you?
“The fruits of the spirit are not sadness, loneliness, and separation, but joy, solitude, community, and ministry.”
“To celebrate another’s gift means to accept that person’s full humanity as a reflection of God.”
“The ministry of the body of Christ is not really something that you try to do, although it calls you to do many things. Ministry is the fruit of finding your gifts and offering what you have. Ministry is not something that requires professional credentials. It is a vocation each of us claims by virtue of our baptism in the body of Christ.”
“Resentment is the opposite of gratitude.”
“Ministry happens when we move from resentment to gratitude. The spiritual life is one of gratitude.”
“The great seduction of the dark world is indeed being reduced into desiring to become an object of interest rather than a subject of compassion.”
What do I feel when I read these words? What is revealed about myself? My heart is hardened to those around me who are suffering. I’ve become resentful of people who are children of God but are dealing with sadness, loneliness, and separation. I have failed to value the full humanity of so many other people because I have allowed my ego to drive my thoughts and my actions.
Spiritual Direction by Henri Nouwen may not hit you as it has done me. Maybe your spiritual life is in better shape than mine. Maybe I’ve worked myself into a literary and spiritual tantrum. Maybe you would experience an equally strong response but to completely different passages. I suspect however, that if you approach Spiritual Direction with an open heart and an open mind, you will find a least a little something you are looking for.
This review was originally posted on my blog, www.thedeckleedge.com. I invite you to read and comment. Thanks. (less)
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Roy
Mar 27, 2021Roy rated it really liked it · review of another edition
A late Henri Nouwen about the topic Spiritual Direction which I accidentally stumbled over. Like other Henri Nouwen books, I like this one. It is actually composed based on unfinished work by others. Henri has a very sensitive way of looking at life and God and the small topics that are actually the big ones. What I learned from this book was, that much of my own reflection and spiritual journey over the last decade, is... well... how shall I put it... somehow not unique. I have felt quite isolated within my evangelical and charismatic faith tradition, when it comes to contemplation, pausing, listening to God and not having answers for everything, and thinking this is normal. I love Henri's thought that the Bible read us, and not we the Bible, which describes my experience of, even if I often don't understand God's word intellectually, it yet somehow does its work in me. The spiritual discipline of journaling was new to me as a concept. I have been practicing this for years but never read about a framework, that describes it as something essential. It was just what I did. Probably the most profound insight from this book is, that I don't need a spiritual director and that my spiritual path over the last 15 years is not odd, but... well... ok - blessed - something others have been experiencing in a similar way. Which is a good feeling. The reason why it's not 5 stars is the narrow picture it paints about what spiritual discipline looks like. I don't think it is a bill that fits all (once again), but the book portraits it a bit like that. If I coincidently had not resonated with the things it suggests, it could have left me feeling I am wrong somehow. I do think there is a huge variety out there of living your life with God in a good and disciplined way, but this is not quite reflected in this book. Curious to learn about other experiences and insights. (less)
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Adam Shields
May 15, 2018Adam Shields rated it really liked it
13 highlights
Short Review: This is a posthumously compiled book on spiritual direction by several of his students. Really it is a book of spiritual direction and while this isn't a bad book, spiritual direction is something that I am not sure can really be designed as a book. Although this again isn't bad. It works as well as it does because Nouwen is both being the director and the directee as part of the book. He is revealing his own growth and giving wisdom as a director.
I read this very slowly, nearly two months to finish a book that wasn't quite 200 pages long. Some of that is good. There was meat here to chew on. But part of it is that I got bored with the book at times. There is Nouwen's trademark wisdom, but also a slightly 'not quite Nouwen' quality of the book as well.
There is value here, but I also think that I will make my next book a directly written Nouwen book and not one of the several posthumously compiled ones that have been recently released or on sale.
My slightly longer full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/spiritual-direction/ (less)
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Preston
Aug 14, 2019Preston rated it it was amazing
Shelves: biography, christian-growth, grace, healing, hope
Henri Nouwen provides an easy to read guide to grow in relationship with God. The book discusses who we are in relationship with God and identifies ways to grow closer in that relationship. Surprising to me, a child of the seventies, the processes are more about letting go of busyness and embracing solitude. Not isolation, but time spent in quiet without thinking or doing. Instead, letting go and listening.
I was impressed as Spiritual Direction took us from knowing we are God’s beloved to a point of recognizing the need and synergy realized through the practice of solitude, community, and ministry. Spiritual Direction closes with some of Nouwen's last writings, where he spent time with trapeze artists and learned about the relationship between flyer and catcher.
The flyer and catcher discussion impacted me greatly. While the flyer performs, the catcher gives them the power, strength and security to achieve the beauty. As one striving to live a spirit-filled and spirit-guided life I was struck by the similarity. God asks us to go, to do, to fly if you will. We are the flyer. And God is the catcher. The one that fills us with his love and empowers us to do beautiful things. He is with us, ever present and empowering. Ready to catch us and return us to an intimate relationship with him and preparation for another awe-inspiring flight.
If you are looking for something deeper than keeping rules and trying to "be right with God," this short book is a good start. (less)
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Sara
Jul 11, 2020Sara rated it really liked it
Shelves: spirituality
I read this over a span of 9 weeks with three other women, discussing a chapter at a time, which I'd recommend. It's well done considering it's a compilation of his thoughts on spiritual direction, not actually a book that he sought to publish himself as one volume.
I appreciate Nouwen for his personal vulnerability and thoughtful questions. The word "authentic" has become so overused and nebulous that it's almost not worth using, but it's perfectly apt for this man. (less)
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Tim Oberholzer
Dec 03, 2020Tim Oberholzer rated it really liked it
Great to read Henri (sort of)
I am a Henri Nouwen fan. His insights and ability to communicate always speak to me. This is book is based on Henri's material ... but it is a compilation. In the back of my mind I always had a small question of whether this was really Henri's words. As much as I liked the content, I guess I would have preferred to have Henri's material quoted rather than ghost written. (less)
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Esteban Aguilar
Jul 11, 2019Esteban Aguilar rated it it was amazing
Insightful! A must-have
I have to say I really loved reading this book. It opened me to look into myself and out to others to grow in faith and, one of the more important contributions of the book, how to apply everything. A must read!
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Evan Hoekzema
Mar 29, 2020Evan Hoekzema rated it it was amazing
Another Nouwen book (even though he didn’t technically write it) that doesn’t disappoint. A look inward, creating sacred space providing an...”address on the house of your life so that you can be “addressed” by God in prayer.” (p. xiii) Great, thought-provoking read!
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Mark Durrell
Nov 11, 2019Mark Durrell rated it it was amazing
Another Nouwen Classic
Every time a pick up a book by Henri Nouwen, he seems to speak to me through his classic writings on spirituality. He was a man truly in touch with himself, his community and God. Still Henri passes on his wisdom born from his joys and struggles.
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Allison
Sep 07, 2021Allison rated it it was amazing
Growing up in the church, I never gave much thought to spirituality outside of those Sunday mornings. This book is helping me redefine/reconnect with my spirituality. Highly recommend for anyone who questioning or looking to strengthen their relationship to God.
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Rev. Ed
May 07, 2022Rev. Ed rated it it was amazing
Houses Would say Yes
This collection on spiritual direction is wise profound transparent and beautiful. I think Houses would smile at the authors mediators and say: YES!
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Walter
Apr 02, 2010Walter rated it it was amazing
This is the author's last book, published posthumously and representing an edited compilation of his work in this area. Therefore, one might expect it to differ in form and substance from his previous work; this would be a mistaken assumption. It is a very well-done piece of meaningful insight and practical application rolled into one.
As a discipline, spiritual direction is something that Henri Nouwen both practiced and preached, so to speak, serving in the role of spiritual director for many while he was also led by others himself. I believe that it's this experience of the process from both sides - that of being the leader in the relationship and that of being the follower - that informs this work. In this book, his colleagues set out to collect his work in this domain and to develop it into a coherent guide to the art and practice of spiritual direction. They do so ably.
The format of the book is to focus on an aspect of the discipline of spiritual direction and then to conclude each corresponding chapter with an exercise that is the practical application of what preceded it. In fact, the exercises are so reflective and comprehensive that they could form a separate piece of work. For the person with a serious interest in this process of spiritual self-discovery and -development, these practical applications are both meaningful exercises in themselves as well as helpful tools when working with others (including one's own spiritual director and/or prayer group).
The theory and theology that are contained in the work are also outstanding. For example, Nouwen's treatment of relationships (or being in community as he calls it) and the expectations that we bring to them is particularly insightful. Distinguishing between what is possible for us as humans - our love is always somewhat conditional, he maintains - versus what emanates from the experience of the divine - which is truly unconditional - he then suggests a re-orientation: given that we cannot provide to ourselves or to others truly unconditional love (which is only God's provenance), we must be able to forgive and to celebrate. We must forgive each other for being unable to provide what everything that another wants and needs and yet celebrate what he/she/they can and do provide. In other words, we recognize each other's limits, respect them and work within these boundaries to achieve a synergistic, mutually beneficial relationship. As he puts it, "Community is solitude greeting solitude: 'I am the beloved; you are the beloved; together we can build a home or place of welcome together,'" a place he acknowledges will be happy at times and less so at others. That he acknowledges the reality of fluctuating human emotions makes his theology both more accessible and more practical for daily use.
Similarly, as he points out, the questions in our lives must be lived (though we tend only to want to find the answers and in so doing to conclude our unknowing as quickly as possible and then to move on). "The first task of seeking guidance is to touch your own struggles, doubts, and insecurities - in short, to affirm your life as a quest.... Our lives are not problems to be solved but journeys to be taken with Jesus as our friend and finest guide." This reminder that it's in the experience of divining answers that we live most fully - or, alternatively, that it's the focus on the journey that matters, not the destination per se - is especially prescient in today's performance- and goal-oriented, increasingly secularized culture.
There are some challenges with the book. For example, there are passages that are so "touchy-feely" that if one has even a touch of skeptic in him or her, there will be a tendency to want to discard the attendant insights. Don't; live through the squishiness and the author will guide you back to more (emotionally/spiritually) balanced ground soon enough. Also, some of the author's revelations about himself are a bit overwrought and can distract somewhat from the points that he's trying to make.
This being said, these are mere quibbles about an otherwise strong work. Those who are interested in this discipline and open to the wisdom contained in this book will be deeply moved and effectively developed by the experience. Therefore, this effort represents a fitting coda to the author's incredible body of work. Read it and be moved, skilled, guided and lifted.... (less)
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Kirsten
Apr 17, 2008Kirsten rated it really liked it
provided much inspiration.
"it helps to realize that the Bible is not primarily a book of information about God but of formation of the heart. it is not merely a book to be analyzed, scrutinized, & discussed, but a book to nurture, unify, & serve as a constant source of contemplation. we must struggle constantly against the temptation to read the Bible instrumentally as a book full of good stories & illustrations that can help us make our point in sermons, lectures, papers, & articles. the Bible does not speak to us as long as we want to use it. as long as we deal with the word of God as an item with which we can do many useful things, we don't really read the Bible or let it read us. only when we are willing to hear the written word as a word for us can the Living Word disclose himself & penetrate into the center of our heart." (less)
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Luke Hillier
Sep 04, 2017Luke Hillier rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: christianity
This is the first new Henri Nouwen book that I've read in a few years (after a deep dive into his work in college) and it was so much like returning to an old friend. I just find his words to be so comforting, gentle, and wise; it was exactly the book I needed for a more stressful and anticipatory stretch I was in. I particularly liked his thoughts around solidarity, downward mobility, and compassion here, but the book as a whole was great. (less)
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Fred
Feb 27, 2020Fred rated it it was amazing
Shelves: prayer, discipleship
This is a book that should be read slowly. It is really a collection of Henri Nouwen's thoughts on Spiritual direction put together by people who knew and studied with him. It comes with guided prayers and suggested topics for journaling. There is tremendous wisdom here, including insights into the necessary components for spiritual growth and the importance of both solitude and community. It is a short book, but it will take some time to properly digest it. (less)
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Stacey
Jan 19, 2015Stacey rated it really liked it
Shelves: 2015, non-fiction
I tried to read this semi-slow, but it didn't work out. The best way I suggest to read this as they do at the beginning of the book. Once straight through, and then once taking a chapter a week or month to work through the questions, topics, and ideas. There is a lot here which I can take away from the book, and I will probably go through it slower after I finish the trilogy. (less)
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Johnny
Jul 05, 2011Johnny rated it really liked it
Shelves: devotional
As a young seminarian and pastor, I was profoundly affected by a book written by this psychologist, professor, and priest. As an old geezer, I was inspired by another book by the same author--an individual who practiced what he "priest" in that he left a prestigious position at Harvard and ended up fulfilled by ministering to a handful of mentally challenged individuals--trading influence on millions to influence on less than 10.
I suppose the secret can be found in a story he tells about talking to a trapeze artist whom he had enjoyed. This gracious priest seems to have gone all fan-boy on the trapeze artist and the following is what he learned:
“As a flyer, I must have complete trust in my catcher. The public might think that I am the great star of the trapeze, but the real star is Joe, my catcher. He has to be there for me with split-second precision and grab me out of the air as I come to him in the long jump. The secret is that the flyer does nothing and the catcher does everything.” (pp. 148-9) “The worst thing the flyer can do is to try to catch the catcher. If I grab Joe’s wrists, I might break them, or he might break mine, and that would be the end of both of us.” (p. 148)
There is the authentic Christian life in parable. As a believer, I can do nothing, but my catcher can and has done everything. God as Jesus caught all my sins when I could do nothing about them. God as Spirit catches all my opportunities and potential and allows me to do the kinds of flips and jumps that enable me to experience the exhilaration of Christian life.
Henri Nouwen was never afraid to share out of his weakness in order to challenge some of us to get past our own weaknesses. Late in the book, he confesses to the following experience. He went to a psychiatrist after a friend betrayed him and sent him into deep depression. The psychiatrist said that he had gotten too deeply involved with this friend and that it would take about six months of grieving to get over it. The psychiatrist said he should never see the person again and dismissed his neurosis as being about a 2 on a scale of 10. To which Nouwen responded: “I’m not going to keep seeing you. You have me all figured out, my pain is all so simple to you, and I’m not going to see you anymore.” (pp. 121-2) He went on to say that he knew that forgiveness and reconciliation was the only way that he was going to get past all he was going through.
Early in the book, he told of complaining to Mother Teresa of how incredibly complicated and frustrating his life had become. She was not sympathetic: “Well, when you spend one hour a day adoring your Lord and never do anything which you know is wrong…you will be fine.” – (p. 5)
My favorite section of this book was the section on prayer. Three parts jump out at me. First, “Our inclination is to reveal to God only what we feel comfortable in sharing. …We are often tempted to select carefully the thoughts that we bring into our conversation with God.” (p. 59) This is the “…road of spiritual censorship.” (p. 59)
Second, “To pray unceasingly, as St. Paul asks us to do, would be completely impossible if it meant to think constantly about or speak continuously to God. …It means to think, speak, and live in the presence of God.” (p. 61)
Third, “Prayer is outward, careful attentiveness to the One who invites us to an unceasing conversation.” (p. 62)
My favorite quotation from the whole book would have to be the one on ministry, though. “Ministry is when two people toast their glasses of wine and something splashes over. Ministry is the extra.” (p. 131)
Spiritual Direction: Wisdom for the Long Walk of Faith isn't for everyone. It isn't for people who are willing to compartmentalize their faith and live as double-agents between the sacred and secular. This book isn't for people who want to keep God in a box of ideas with which they are comfortable. Finally, this book isn't for people who feel like they are already spiritually mature. This book is for people who are still becoming. And that's why it's for me.
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Kurtis Allan
Feb 07, 2021Kurtis Allan rated it it was amazing
I loved this book. Henri Nouwen is humble, insightful and authentic. Like few other writers, he offers himself to us. His reflection on writing as a spiritual discipline was particularly inspiring.
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Brenda H.
Jan 14, 2018Brenda H. rated it it was amazing
This posthumously written book still captures Nouwen's passion for ministry and spiritual formation. This book is filled with very approachable material and guidelines to implement these disciplines in your everyday life. (less)
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Madelyn
Jan 01, 2021Madelyn rated it it was amazing
This collection of Henri Nouwen’s thoughts challenged me to consider my spiritual life with God as the beautiful and sacred thing it is.
Nouwen poked against the edges of my traditionally Protestant theology, and I’m thankful. I was challenged to think a bit differently about how I interact with God, my community, and the broader world.
This lovely little book needs to be soaked in. So much so that I want to revisit it in the future.
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Ann Gemmel
Jul 17, 2017Ann Gemmel rated it it was amazing
Such a wonderful read. As was suggested - it is one to read through initially and then go back and take a chapter at a time. So much to ponder. I particularly was both challenged and touched by the chapters on community and service. This really is one that all Christ followers should read at some point in their spiritual journey.
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Patti
Aug 20, 2021Patti rated it it was amazing
Drawn together from Nouwen’s writings by two of his students, this little book is a very user friendly guide on how to seek spiritual direction in the Christian life. I read and absorbed this over several months and will definitely read parts of it again.
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Edward Ortiz
Sep 23, 2012Edward Ortiz rated it really liked it
This book is a collection of articles, sermons, and other related works from the late Henri Nouwen, a catholic priest. The book is very interesting and informative but a word of caution for the readers. Some of Henri’s views are problematic but overall it is a good book, specially in the area of living in community. The book starts with a definition for Spiritual direction, that states, “it is a relationship initiated by a spiritual seeker who finds a mature person of faith willing to pray and respond with wisdom and understanding to his or her questions about how to live spiritually in a world of ambiguity and distraction”. In other words, a mentor. In this world with so much confusion and troubles, we sure need a godly person that can provide us with wisdom and help us in our walk with God.
The main point that in my opinion captures the essence of the book is the area of forgiveness. Community requires forgiveness. The book, states “that forgiveness means that I continually am willing to forgive the other person for not fulfilling all my needs and desires. Forgiveness says, ” I know you love me, but you don’t have to love me unconditionally, because only God can do that”. I too must ask forgiveness for not being able to fulfill other people’s total needs, for no human being can do that”. In addition, “our heart longs for satisfaction, for total communion. But human beings, whether it’s your husband, your wife, your father, mother, brother, sister, or child, are all limited in giving the level of love and acceptance we all crave. But since we want so much and we get only part of what we want, we have to keep on forgiving people for not giving us all we want. This is of enormous importance right now because constantly people look to blame their parents, their friends, and the church for not giving them what they need. Any relationship you enter into – will always be riddled with frustration and disappointment. So forgiveness becomes the word for divine love in the human context”. I completely agree with his views in this area. We get in the habit of asking and expecting too much from the people that are close to us, or even the government. But I think it is important to understand that only God can fill the void inside of us. If we trust God and faithfully follow His word then all things are possible.
I recommend this book but again the reader must keep a discerning eye. (less)
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Ceste Stanly
May 23, 2021Ceste Stanly rated it it was amazing
always so much food for thought w/ Henri's writings....love the reflection ?s ...more
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Bob Price
Dec 19, 2013Bob Price rated it liked it
Spiritual Direction is a series of lectures based on Henri Nouwen's classes and articles he wrote about...so in that sense it is not necessarily a Henri Nouwen book.
But any chance to go through Nouwen's wisdom on spiritualty is a good one. This book is divided into three sections: looking within, looking for God in the Word and looking for God in community. He explores each of these sections with biblical knowledge, personal stories, and a deep insight into the nature of people.
The book is designed for a quick read, but then provides an opportunity to go back and to re do the book with spiritual practices.
Nouwen's writing is very clear and very accessible. This is a good beginning to an understanding of Christian spirituality.
The title is misleading, because one might think the book is about the acutal art of spiritual direction...when it is not.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Spiritualty
Grade: B
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Seth
Nov 25, 2017Seth rated it it was amazing
This book was fantastic to read.
A lot of questions I have about my own stage in life and what I’m becoming had light shed on them from this book. The book is divided into three parts: Looking within, Looking to God, and Looking to others.
Looking within asked questions such as, “where do I begin?” “Who am I?” “Where have I been and where am I going?” While the answers (and others I have personally) weren’t *completely* answered, they did provide a roadmap for me to travel.
Each chapter ends with a spiritual practice of some sort. They are meant to be done in a group, alone, or with a spiritual director.
The book is meant to be read twice: once through quickly and the next time slowly and allowing the chapter to soak into you. I look forward to go back and let the chapters speak to me once again. Would recommend. (less)
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Glenn Cameron
Sep 11, 2019Glenn Cameron rated it it was amazing
I was an agnostic for many years. I have opened to New Age spirituality in the past eighteen months. Organized religion is not something I adhere to so reading a book from a Catholic priest seemed strange to me. But Henri Nouwen shares truths that cross all religions and helped me open my own eyes and drop my judgements on religion.
It seemed with every chapter I would think to myself that there was nothing for me in the topic at hand, then I would be in awe of the words on the pages. There are no idle words in this book. I highly recommend this book to anyone on a spiritual journey, regardless of your religious affiliation. (less)
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Buddy Draper
Sep 13, 2015Buddy Draper rated it it was amazing
This is a compilation of essays and lessons from Nouwen brought together on this subject. I truly love and enjoy everything by Nouwen and I found this encouraging and challenging.
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Joelle
Oct 31, 2017Joelle rated it it was amazing
This is an incredible book, and while not long, is chock full of great stuff. I read it purposefully slow, so that I could really chew on all that was written. Highly recommend this one!
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Jeff
Jun 12, 2018Jeff rated it it was amazing
This is a wonderful little book on the topic of spiritual direction. The definition of "spiritual direction," as provided by the book is "a relationship initiated by a spiritual seeker who finds a mature person of faith willing to pray and respond with wisdom and understanding to his or her questions about how to live spiritually in a world of ambiguity and distraction."
The chapters of the book all have questions for titles. "Who Will Answer My Questions?" "Where Do I Begin?" "Who Am I?" "Where Have I Been and Where Am I Going?" And so on.
The chapters are also broken down into parts: Look Within to the Heart, Look to God in the Book, and Look to Others in Community.
Each chapter begins with parable of sorts, all from different sources. I suppose some people would object to the fact that some of the parables are from different "religions." Personally, that doesn't bother me. Why can I not learn from the wisdom of other religions?
This book is the first that I have read of Nouwen's work, although I have heard about him for many years. I definitely want to read more. There is great spiritual wisdom to be found in his writings. And this book will most definitely be read again, more slowly, perhaps with journaling involved.
I think this is a great volume to read for one, like me, who is on the beginning paths of spiritual direction. One thing it made me realize for certain is that I need spiritual direction. Either that of a more mature believer or a group of people. I'm kind of leaning toward a group that will begin this journey together. (less)
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Simon
May 08, 2021Simon rated it really liked it
In many ways this is typical Nouwen. But with a surprise. More of that in a bit. How is it typical? Well, so many themes: silence and solitude; the word of God and Lectio Divina; the intimacy and accountability of community are all there. They come to us in the, oh so often, three points Henri would make. They always include the witness of his life and many stories and parables to illustrate his points. His former students, Michael J. Christensen and Rebecca J. Laird, craft a marvellous work of editing in preparing this volume. At the end they introduce the surprise.
Perhaps their editing captures it best:
"A fourth discipline, the discipline of the body, can be discerned in the later Nouwen."
They continue by quoting Nouwen:
"Real spiritual life, I became aware, is an enfleshed life calling for a new spirituality of the body. To believe in the Incarnation - that God becomes flesh - is to realize that God enters into a body, so that if you touch a body, in a way you touch the divine life. There is no divine life outside the body because God decided to become one of us."
Not only is this a profound insight in itself, but is more so coming from one who lived his life in academic settings for many years.
Like all works in spiritual direction, this is a workbook. It encourages us to listen to God in the silence, the sacred word, in the community, and in our body in our midst. Readers will find accessible exercises with questions to assist that work.
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Jodie Pine
Mar 12, 2022Jodie Pine rated it it was amazing
Highly recommend this one. Put together by two of Nouwen's longtime students after his death, this book is divided into three parts: Look Within to the Heart, Look to God in the Book, and Look to Others in Community. I especially appreciated what he had to say about the practice of spiritual writing:
"Many think that writing means writing down ideas, insights, or visions. They are of the opinion that they must first have something to say before they can put it on paper. For them, writing is little more than recording preexistent thoughts. But with this approach, true writing is impossible.
Writing is a process in which we discover what lives in us. The writing itself reveals to us what is alive in us. The deepest satisfaction of writing is precisely that it opens up new spaces within us of which we were not aware before we started to write.
To write is to embark on a journey of which we do not know the final destination. Thus, writing requires a great act of trust. We have to say to ourselves: 'I do not yet know what I carry in my heart, but I trust it will emerge as I write.'
Writing is like giving away the few loaves and fishes we have, trusting that they will multiply in the giving. Once we dare to 'give away' on paper the few thoughts that come to us, we start discovering how much is hidden underneath these thoughts and thus we gradually come in touch with our own riches and resources." (less)
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Thea Smith
Mar 18, 2022Thea Smith rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
‘Spiritual Direction’ gets 5 stars. Deeply honest, inspiring and encouraging you to dig deeper as you live out your faith and walk with Jesus. Henri Nouwen at his finest although he didn’t ‘write’ this book the thoughts, quotes and illustrations come from many of his sermons, articles, journals, class lecture notes and both published and unpublished manuscripts. It’s full of wisdom and particle advice on how to develop good habits in your spiritual journey.
One of my favourite parts reads….
“For most of my life I have struggled to find God, to know God, to love God. I have tried hard to follow the guidelines of the spiritual life - pray always, work for others, read the scriptures- and to avoid the many temptations to dissipate myself. I have failed many times but always tired again, even when I was close to despair.
Now I wonder whether I have sufficiently realised that during this time God has been trying to find me, to know me, and to love me. The question is not “How am I to find God?” But “How am I to let myself be found by God” The question is not “How am I to know God?” But “How am I to let myself be known by God?” The question is not “How am I to love God?” But “How am I to let myself be loved by God?” and finally, the question is not “Who is God for me?” but “Who am I to God?”
❤️📚 (less)
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Rita
Oct 08, 2018Rita rated it really liked it
Best to slowly read small sections at a time...reminds us that we suffer from a fear of empty space, finding it hard to give up our work and preoccupations to create empty space...we fear the voice of God, not sure we would want to go in the direction God may call us to go. Reminds us the Bible is not primarily a book of info about God, but of formation of our hearts. Gave helpful methods of praying, meditating on scripture, and journaling. Author reminds us that all humans are limited in giving the level of love and acceptance we all crave, so we must keep forgiving people (spouses, parents, friends, etc.) The author taught psychology and pastoral theology at Harvard & Yale before becoming a senior pastor at a Canadian community for adults with mental disabilities. Last part of book defines our ministry to help people and other disciplines of spiritual life...now to live more accordingly to what I've read and learned... (less)
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Jack Darida
Aug 12, 2021Jack Darida rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
I suppose I could have saved ink by highlighting the passages I didn't find profound. While not a proponent of Nouwen's theological universalism, I found much food for deep thought. The section on spiritual community was especially valuable to me in my spiritual walk. "We need to forgive one another for not being God," is pure gold. Frustrations with human fellowship should drive me to the Lord, rather than away from people. Our relationships with others find their foundation in our relationship with God, as his beloved. The authors have done an admirable job of piecing together a collection of Nouwen's thoughts into a cohesive whole. Books that keep you thinking, like this one, deserve all the stars. (less)
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Joe
May 25, 2018Joe rated it it was amazing
I have read many books by Henri Nouwen on Spirituality. This book is amazing because it offers an almost a "how-to" book on forming small groups to explore one's own spiritual journey. When he was a young priest, Henri Nouwen understood spiritual direction as a formal relationship for supervision and accountability between a mature spiritual leader and a new priest or minister. Later in life, he preferred the term "spiritual friendship" or "soul friend." Anyone looking for spiritual direction wi ...more
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Summer Green
Nov 12, 2020Summer Green rated it it was amazing
I've spent a solid week seeping in this small and mighty book. It's beauty is in it's simplicity and honesty. I found so much that convicted me, challenged me, and encouraged me. One of my favorite chapters is entitled "Where do I belong". It focus on being in community with God through solitude greeting solitude. Giving God the space to be God and others the space to be human brothers and sisters. The chapter is one that I read aloud to my family, and will continue to sip it as the days go by, allowing it to nourish my soul and rehydrate my soul. (less)
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