Discernment : Reading the Signs of Daily Life

Henri J. M. Nouwen, the world-renowned spiritual guide and counselor, understood the spiritual life as a journey of faith and transformation that is deepened by accountability, community, and relationships. Though he counseled many people during his lifetime, his principles of spiritual direction were never written down. Now, in association with the Nouwen Legacy Trust, Michael Christensen, one of Nouwen's longtime students, and Rebecca Laird, one of Nouwen's editors, have taken his coursework, journals, and unpublished writing and created the definitive resource on spiritual discernment. Stories, readings, and thematically organized questions for reflection and guided journal writing provide an unparalleled resource for spiritual development, both for individuals and for small groups.

Discernment, the third book in the series, teaches us how to read the "signs of the times" in daily life in order to make decisions that are ultimately guided by God. Nouwen emphasizes listening to the Word of God—in our hearts, in the Bible, in the community of faith, and in the voice of the poor. Nouwen's thoughts on discernment begin to answer one of the biggest questions we face: what should I do with my life?