Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
The Inner Voice of Love
This is Henri Nouwen's "secret journal." It waswritten during the most difficult period of his life, when he suddenly lost his self-esteem,his energy to live and work, his sense of being loved, even his hope in God. Although he experienced excruciating anguish and despair, he was still able to keep a journal in which he wrote a spiritual imperative to himself each day that...more
Paperback, 144 pages
Published
January 19th 1999
by Image
(first published 1996)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
2,793)
This is a book to be read and absorbed in small doses. It is a deeply personal and very honest book written during a time of great pain. But it is a hopeful book. It's as though Nouwen is writing to himself from place of hope. My sense is that, through effective advice and sheer force of will, Nouwen imagined a place of hope from which he could write to himself sitting in despair. From this imagined place, Nouwen looks back and sees a path to wholeness, a path to an existential, a real place of...more
A collection of private journal entries by an openly gay but celibate priest, The Inner Voice of Love is a meditation on accepting the kinds of love that are available when the love you want is not available. Because the author was a priest, many of the meditations specifically address accepting divine love, not as a metaphor but as a real, personal gift from an ever-present deity, so I personally had to translate a lot of the concepts into metaphors; but even so, these meditations create a spac...more
1 like · like · see review
view 1 comment
Tainted. My point of view is too tainted to look at this work objectively, and anyone who reads my review of this book should know that.
My reaction to this book was deeply personal and disturbing. This book is a compilation of Nouwen's journal entries over a series of months when he felt great dispair and angst. His colleagues felt the journal would serve as a great instructional tool for others, and hence this little book was born.
However, drawing from my personal experience, I could clearly he...more
My reaction to this book was deeply personal and disturbing. This book is a compilation of Nouwen's journal entries over a series of months when he felt great dispair and angst. His colleagues felt the journal would serve as a great instructional tool for others, and hence this little book was born.
However, drawing from my personal experience, I could clearly he...more
This book begins with a warning not to read too many of these spiritual imperatives at once and I think that is good advice. There is so much to contemplate with each entry in Nouwen's secret journal. I especially liked "Control Your Own Drawbridge" and "Own Your Pain." I found myself feeling sad for Nouwen as I read, though (even though I knew the purpose of the book was for the reader to reflect on him/herself as opposed to viewing it as a memoir). I took some comfort in the hope that he is no...more
This was nothing like what I expected. For one thing, I expected years worth of secret journals to be...well, slightly heftier than this. That is not to say that The Inner Voice of Love lacks emotional heft--far from it--but for someone seeking a traditionally defined narrative this fell short of the mark.
Instead of relating his struggles directly in his diaries, he responds to them through short meditations in the second person. This had an intermittently confusing effect on me, and left me won...more
Instead of relating his struggles directly in his diaries, he responds to them through short meditations in the second person. This had an intermittently confusing effect on me, and left me won...more
Imagine that a priest, writer, and professor with great spiritual wisdom underwent a spiritual collapse. What would he tell himself in these “dark nights of the soul”? What kind of wisdom would he apply to his own life after fifty years of theoretical and practical investigation of his relationship with God? When at the edge of despair, what would he remember the most?
Henri Nouwen’s personal spiritual journal of the most difficult period of his life reads just like that – these are deeply person...more
Henri Nouwen’s personal spiritual journal of the most difficult period of his life reads just like that – these are deeply person...more
Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) was a renowned speaker regarding social and spiritual issues around the world and teacher in the most prestigious universities.
In the late 80’s Nouwen fell into a deep depression that he could only describe as a daily agony. During this time, he gave the world the gift of his daily thoughts through a journal. In it he wrote brief, spiritual maxims as a way of keeping his bearings and leaving a trail for himself through his long ordeal with hopelessness. Shortly before N...more
In the late 80’s Nouwen fell into a deep depression that he could only describe as a daily agony. During this time, he gave the world the gift of his daily thoughts through a journal. In it he wrote brief, spiritual maxims as a way of keeping his bearings and leaving a trail for himself through his long ordeal with hopelessness. Shortly before N...more
This is Henri Nouwen's journal that takes us through his own personal journey with depression. He was encouraged to publish it so others could see that the master too was human. An important work, especially for us novices. When you are struggling with your own path, it is good to see that those who continued on had struggles to. I give this volume to all I work with who are new on the journey.
This is one of my core books and beloved daily devotionals. This book is filed with such wisdom and strength. I have read it many times and have highlighted all my favorite parts. Every passage is about God and God's love. It is simply a beautiful book.
A bit about the book...
Henru Nouwen, a well known Catholic priest and writer, went thru a religious crisis and this book is a collection of all the lessons he learned during that time.
A bit about the book...
Henru Nouwen, a well known Catholic priest and writer, went thru a religious crisis and this book is a collection of all the lessons he learned during that time.
Do not let the unassuming slender frame of this book fool you. It is, essentially, Christian counseling in a book. You can carry around a biblically sound therapist in your purse! Okay, but seriously Nouwen was a Christian psychologist so he knows what he's talking about. If you've ever had a knawing issue that you might know the 'biblical answers' to, but still find it eating away at you, pick a chapter title that sounds interesting to you and read it. I guarantee Nouwen's words will pierce you...more
the subtitle of the book is "A Journey Through Anguish to Freedom". The book is really not a book but a collection of spiritual imperatives that Nouwen wrote to himself as a journal in a difficult period of his life. It to be a secret journal but instead has become an instrument of encouragement. Not to be read but rather reflected over and allow the exhortations to carry you, I've been dipping and tasting again recently.
I really needed this book when I read it. Its amazing! Its raw and encouraging in the same breathe. Nouwen is such a beautiful writer. I read this book when I had just returned home from 2 months in China, and I was really struggling. God got this book into my hands, and I would recommend it to any one. Especially, someone whose struggling.
This book is primarily about longing for acceptance, affection, love, and approval and looking for it in all the wrong places. Written originally as a private journal of a spiritual leader, it reveals the struggle of a godly man battling depression and despair. His daily directives written to himself were sometimes very profound. Other times, I found the directives vague and written in a way that could be misunderstood. The writing lacked concrete details, and this nebulous quality kept me from...more
This book will become one of my core books to read and ponder on I just know it. I am going to buy it. Each page is a small paragraph or two about a specific anguish or spiritual positive in ones life. An index in the front of the book lets the reader pick out a topic to focus/meditate on. I already have gotten insight into my own thoughts and behavior.
" Exhaustion, burnout, and depression are not signs that you are doing God's will. God is gentle and loving. God desires to give you a deep sense of safety in God's love. Once you haveallowed yourself to experience that love fully, you will be better able to discern who you are being sent to in God's name." Henri Houwen
Written during a time of great emotional and spiritual struggle, the book is honestly written and would likely be an important and helpful book for people going through a similar struggle. But, fortunately, I was not able to relate to the content very much, although there were a few good passages in the book helpful for people who are not struggling as Nouwen was when he wrote it.
This is one of the greatest collection of personal journal entries I have ever read. The inner pain and turmoil that Nouwen experiences describes my own recent experiences. This man truly transcribed the gut wrenching feelings of mental anguish and spiritual longing onto paper. I'm thankful to have found this book.
What a comfort to read the journal of a great man of faith and see that he walked through the dark night of the soul. It was as though I was reading my own journal only with more wisdom enfused between the aching and questions. Read this to better know your God, yourself, and your friends.
This is a 'moment' book. If you read it at the right moment, it can make a good fit. I had read it before and now just read it again, an entry a day, and it fit this time around. I admire Nouwen's willingness to publish this private series of thoughts for the benefit of people like me.
I did not actually read this whole book. It was sort of weirding out my head--he makes many good points and yet it's all so focused on himself and his psyche that I couldn't possibly evaluate it with my own mind. Nouwen was a Catholic priest who really seemed to suffer from loneliness and isolation, to the point of psychosis (maybe?). I, too, have felt isolated, but I try to focus on God and forget myself to deal with it. Seems to work. He seems to try to deal with it partly by focusing on God a...more
Henry Nouwen's intimately person journal recorded during the darkest time in His life has truly been a blessing to me. Many of his entires I have read over and over again. I feel like I have a special connection with Nouwen after spending time with this book.
Henri Nouwen is one of my favorite authors. I resonate quite a bit with his introspective nature and keen awareness that this world is not our home. I enjoy his thoughts about solitude, community, dependence, and a variety of other relationship dynamics.
I can't say enough good things about Nouwen's writing. This book is another prime example of how he cuts to the core in such a simply beautiful way that truly touches the heart . He wrote this journal while he was in a time of retreat, in great pain, trying to get his life on track again, and years later his friends encouraged him to publish it for the benefit of others. Each entry is a personal call to live richer, love deeper, and truly receive God's love.
Nouwen's very personal meditations resonate with the dark and lonely place inside humans. He chronicles his most poignant inner struggles with negative forces and uplifts through his focus on growth. I read over and over, slowly and thoughtfully.
Found this book among many on my mom's bookshelf after she died. Thank God she underlined her favorite passages, I felt like I was having a conversation with her about her trials as I read Henri Nouwen's words about his own difficult journey.
Feb 19, 2011
Jenni Simmons
marked it as to-read
I just read Nouwen's introduction to this book from a Kindle sample. It was startling to discover that most of his words seem intended directly for me — right here, right now. I will definitely read this book as soon as possible.
I was introduced to Henri Nouwen by my Youth Ministry professor, Dr. Patty, through an assignment that he had for one of our classes. At that time, his writings didn't resonate with me. About a year or two later, I was speaking interested in becoming a road pastor. I went online and found Michael Guido's e-mail address (former road pastor for dc Talk). I e-mailed him. He gave me his phone number. I called him and we spoke for about an hour. He highly suggested reading Henri Nouwen's books. This...more
Henri Nouwen had a breakdown. He was a (closeted) gay priest who fell in love and it couldn't be allowed. I'm not a believer but I find his account very moving and brave. This was published posthumously.
The intro is probably right, you shouldn't read it all at once, although of course I did. I found so much of it that spoke to me, and I'll definitely be rereading it in bits and pieces in the near future.
If you are a fan of Henri Nouwen, this is a must read. It is comprised of his journal entries during a season where he was going through a deep depression/"dark night of the soul". During this period he wisely gave himself a daily "spiritual imperative" to keep himself connected to truth. Their are entries where in my humble opinion his thinking was off, but most are truly profound. And to read his thoughts and see his process while deeply struggling with God is like being mentored by a wise, se...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Henri Jozef Machiel Nouwen (Nouen), (1932–1996) was a Dutch-born Catholic priest and writer who authored 40 books on the spiritual life.
Nouwen's books are widely read today by Protestants and Catholics alike. The Wounded Healer, In the Name of Jesus, Clowning in Rome, The Life of the Beloved, and The Way of the Heart are just a few of the more widely recognized titles. After nearly two decades of...more
More about Henri J.M. Nouwen...
Nouwen's books are widely read today by Protestants and Catholics alike. The Wounded Healer, In the Name of Jesus, Clowning in Rome, The Life of the Beloved, and The Way of the Heart are just a few of the more widely recognized titles. After nearly two decades of...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“When suddenly you seem to lose all you thought you had gained, do not despair. You must expect setbacks and regressions. Don't say to yourself "All is lost. I have to start all over again." This is not true. What you have gained you have gained....When you return to the the road, you return to the place where you left it, not to where you started.”
—
63 people liked it
“When people show you their boundaries ("I can't do this for you") you feel rejected...part of your struggle is to set boundaries to your own love. Only when you are able to set your own boundaries will you be able to acknowledge, respect and even be grateful for the boundaries of others.”
—
31 people liked it
More quotes…
