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Gratefulness, The Heart of Prayer: An Approach to Life in Fullness - Softcover

Steindl-Rast, David; Nouwen, Henri J. M.

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9780809126286: Gratefulness, The Heart of Prayer: An Approach to Life in Fullness

Synopsis

A monk reflects on the many aspects of the spiritual life with the basic attitude of gratefulness. “A true delight.” ―Henri J. M. Nouwen †

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Review

A member of the Calmaldolese order of monks, and well-known for his far-reaching interests in theology and science (he has explored the implications of contemporary physics with Fritjof Capra, the author of The Tao of Physics), Steindl-Rast does a wonderful job of exploring the relationship between prayer and that sense of gratefulness that comes with love, which is at the very center of what it means to be human. "To bless whatever there is, and for no other reason but simply because it is, that is what we are made for as human beings," he writes. Connecting contemplation and action, he affirms that contemplation may best be realized by "acting in love." "Thinking about God is important," he states, but "acting in God leads to a deeper knowledge. Lovers are closer to love than scholars who merely reflect on love. It would be a bit awkward to reflect on kissing while you kiss." --Doug Thorpe

From the Author

It makes me happy that, after almost two decades, this book still finds a steady stream of new readers. Now and then, I hear people who made Gratefulness their daily reading in a time of crisis, in sickness, or on their deathbed. This fills me with awe. So does that fact that groups who read and discuss books together have found this one helpful. What do I myself like about it? That it treats the main aspects of gratefulness in a systematic way, without – I hope – being dry. And I specially like the list of key words arranged from A to Z (yes, I even have one for “X”).-- Br. David Steindl-Rast, March 2002

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