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Aging: The Fulfillment of Life Paperback – 1 January 1986
by Henri Nouwen (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 82 ratings
We are all aging. We are each a spoke on the great wheel of life, part of the ongoing cycle of growth. In Aging, Henri J.M. Nouwen and Walter J. Gaffney share some moving and inspirational thoughts on what aging means (and can mean) to all of us, whether we're in our youth, middle age, or later years.
Enhanced by some eighty-five photographs depicting various scenes from life and nature, this book shows how to make the later years a source of hope rather than a time of loneliness -- a way out of darkness into the light. "Aging," the authors write, "is not a reason for despair, but a basis of hope, not a slow decaying, but a gradual maturing, not a fate to be undergone but a chance to be embraced." And they remind us of our responsibility to incorporate the aged into the fabric of our own lives -- helping them become teachers again so they may help us repair the fragmented connections between generations.
Aging shows us all how to start fulfilling our lives by giving to others, "so that when we leave this world, we can be what we have given." It is a warm, beautiful, and caring book- a simple reaffirmation of the promise of Him, who by His aging and death brought new life to this world.
160 pages
Product description
From the Back Cover
The author shares his moving and inspirational thoughts on what aging can mean to all of us. It is a warm, caring book that shows us how to make the later years a source of hope rather than a time of loneliness.
B & W photographs throughout.
About the Author
Henri J. M. Nouwen wasa Catholic Priest who taught at several theological institutes and universities in his home country of the Netherlands and in the United States. He shared the final years of his life with people with mental and physical disablilities at L'Arche Daybreak Community in Toronto, Canada. He died in 1996. He authoried many books on the spiritual life including Reaching Out, The Wounded Healer, and The Return of the Prodigal Son.
Product details
Publisher : Christian/Forum; 1st edition (1 January 1986)
Language : English
Paperback : 160 pages
Customer Reviews:
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 82 ratings
Henri J. M. Nouwen
Henri Nouwen was born in Holland in 1932 and ordained a Catholic priest in 1957. He obtained his doctorandus in psychology from Nijmegen University in The Netherlands and taught at Notre Dame, Yale, and Harvard. He experienced the monastic life with Trappist monks at the Abbey of the Genesee, lived among the poor in Latin America with the Maryknoll missioners, and was interested and active in numerous causes related to social justice. After a lifetime of seeking, Henri Nouwen finally found his home in Canada, as pastor of L'Arche Daybreak - where people with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers live together in community.
Henri Nouwen wrote over 40 books on spirituality and the spiritual life that have sold millions of copies and been translated into dozens of languages. His vision of spirituality was broad and inclusive, and his compassion embraced all of humankind.
He died in 1996. His work and his spirit live on.
Henri Nouwen pronounced his name "Henry Now-en." For more information on his life and work, please visit www.henrinouwen.org .
Walter J. Gaffney
brm
5.0 out of 5 stars First class on a very topical subjectReviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 December 2019
Verified Purchase
Henri Nouwen is an outstanding writer with that rare ability to apply his Christian faith and deep spirituality to life's big questions. The book is written with sensitivity and compassion that is so important when 'old age' can be such a difficult stage of life for so many people. This is epitomised by their referring to another writer whose research showed that for many people, it is ageing rather than death that they fear. The reasons for this are many.
This is a well balanced book on ageing, not shirking its dark side with personal suffering and societies' indifference, together with the positives of old age, both for the individual and those prepared to acknowledge the value of experience and wisdom of older people. The third section on 'Caring' should be compulsory study by paid and unpaid carers. There are beautiful black and white photographs and all within 160 pages. Like a really telling sermon, length is not everything.
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Captain Kent ATP USMC
5.0 out of 5 stars The truth for me was painful but.Reviewed in the United States on 3 August 2015
Verified Purchase
Be very certain you are willing to "let go" of your positionalties, programming, conditioning, beliefs, values...all of your old ideas on aging. These essays of insight are spiritual gifts given to those chosen to be enlightened and Fr Henri the instrument. The truth for me was painful but...it set me free for the path before me and old age is now precious.....my God saved the best for my 78th year. Kent P. Larsen
10 people found this helpfulReport
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars ThanksReviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 January 2021
Verified Purchase
Really good
Report
J. J.
4.0 out of 5 stars IN EVERYTHING, THERE IS A SEASON
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 82 ratings
Henri J. M. Nouwen
Henri Nouwen was born in Holland in 1932 and ordained a Catholic priest in 1957. He obtained his doctorandus in psychology from Nijmegen University in The Netherlands and taught at Notre Dame, Yale, and Harvard. He experienced the monastic life with Trappist monks at the Abbey of the Genesee, lived among the poor in Latin America with the Maryknoll missioners, and was interested and active in numerous causes related to social justice. After a lifetime of seeking, Henri Nouwen finally found his home in Canada, as pastor of L'Arche Daybreak - where people with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers live together in community.
Henri Nouwen wrote over 40 books on spirituality and the spiritual life that have sold millions of copies and been translated into dozens of languages. His vision of spirituality was broad and inclusive, and his compassion embraced all of humankind.
He died in 1996. His work and his spirit live on.
Henri Nouwen pronounced his name "Henry Now-en." For more information on his life and work, please visit www.henrinouwen.org .
Walter J. Gaffney
brm
5.0 out of 5 stars First class on a very topical subjectReviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 December 2019
Verified Purchase
Henri Nouwen is an outstanding writer with that rare ability to apply his Christian faith and deep spirituality to life's big questions. The book is written with sensitivity and compassion that is so important when 'old age' can be such a difficult stage of life for so many people. This is epitomised by their referring to another writer whose research showed that for many people, it is ageing rather than death that they fear. The reasons for this are many.
This is a well balanced book on ageing, not shirking its dark side with personal suffering and societies' indifference, together with the positives of old age, both for the individual and those prepared to acknowledge the value of experience and wisdom of older people. The third section on 'Caring' should be compulsory study by paid and unpaid carers. There are beautiful black and white photographs and all within 160 pages. Like a really telling sermon, length is not everything.
Report
Captain Kent ATP USMC
5.0 out of 5 stars The truth for me was painful but.Reviewed in the United States on 3 August 2015
Verified Purchase
Be very certain you are willing to "let go" of your positionalties, programming, conditioning, beliefs, values...all of your old ideas on aging. These essays of insight are spiritual gifts given to those chosen to be enlightened and Fr Henri the instrument. The truth for me was painful but...it set me free for the path before me and old age is now precious.....my God saved the best for my 78th year. Kent P. Larsen
10 people found this helpfulReport
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars ThanksReviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 January 2021
Verified Purchase
Really good
Report
J. J.
4.0 out of 5 stars IN EVERYTHING, THERE IS A SEASON
Reviewed in Canada on 8 April 2018
Verified Purchase
Nouwen shows sensitivity and sentiments to older people by encouraging them to not despair, but to contribute whatever resources they have to better the lives of others. This is an inspirational read for all age groups, especially for the elderly.
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Verified Purchase
Nouwen shows sensitivity and sentiments to older people by encouraging them to not despair, but to contribute whatever resources they have to better the lives of others. This is an inspirational read for all age groups, especially for the elderly.
Report
See more reviews
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