Spiritual Direction: Wisdom for the Long Walk of Faith - Hardcover

Henri J. M. Nouwen; Michael J. Christensen; Rebecca J. Laird

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0060754737 ISBN 13: 9780060754730

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2006

Synopsis

Henri Nouwen understood the spiritual life as a journey of faith and transformation, marked by distinct movements and corresponding disciplines, and deepened by accountability, community, and ministry. This book provides readers with an experience in spiritual direction with Nouwen, well-known author, priest, and guide. Readings, stories, questions for personal reflection and guided journal inquiry as articulated by Nouwen in his courses on spiritual direction/formation and in his personal and group spiritual direction sessions are gathered to provide an unparalleled resource on a thoughtful spiritual life. Following a familiar structure which reappeared in his many lectures and books, Nouwen suggests that four simple changes will reorient our lives, opening the door to true spiritual transformation.

About this title

About the Author:

Henri J. M. Nouwen (1932-1996) was the author of With Open Hands, Reaching Out, The Wounded Healer, Making All Things New, and many other bestsellers. He was the senior pastor of L'Arche Daybreak in Toronto, Canada, a community where men and women with mental disabilities and their assistants create a home for one another.

From Publishers Weekly:

Starred Review. It's a little jarring to see a new book from an author who's been dead for 10 years. Yet these clearly are the words and teachings of Nouwen, prepared by two people close to him when he was alive (Rebecca Laird and Michael Christensen). Much like Nouwen's Making All Things New, this is by a spiritual master for everyday people longing to be closer to God. It is not about how to become a spiritual friend, mentor or director, but focuses on ways individuals can find their spiritual direction in the broadest possible sense. Although there is an essay on what a spiritual director does, there is much more about how to pray, practice solitude and overcome the fears that keep us from knowing ourselves as God's beloved. Many Christians who struggle with the image of a punishing God will appreciate the section on becoming attentive to and working with our image of God. Following each chapter there is a recommended spiritual practice and questions to ponder. This is a brilliant addition to Nouwen's canon of work as a writer and will enrich both longtime Nouwen fans and newcomers to his wisdom. (June)
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About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0060754737
• ISBN 13: 9780060754730
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 192