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The Path Of Peace
In this brief essay by Henri J.M. Nouwen, one of this century's most inspiring spiritual guides, the subject is peace. Peace is found in weakness, Nouwen says, when we surrender our self-sufficiency. Where we are the weakest, peace is hidden.
- GenresChristianity
Paperback
Published January 1, 1995
About the author
Henri J.M. Nouwen
451 books2,222 followersHenri Jozef Machiel Nouwen was a Dutch Catholic priest, theologian, psychologist, professor, and spiritual writer whose work profoundly shaped contemporary Christian spirituality. Born in Nijkerk, the Netherlands, in 1932, Nouwen pursued religious studies and was ordained a priest in 1957. His intellectual curiosity led him to study psychology at the Catholic University of Nijmegen and later at the Menninger Clinic in Kansas, where he explored the connection between faith and mental health. Throughout his life, Nouwen remained committed to integrating pastoral care, psychology, and spiritual theology in a way that addressed the emotional and existential needs of believers.
Nouwen held teaching positions at prestigious institutions including the University of Notre Dame, Yale Divinity School, and Harvard Divinity School. He authored over three dozen books and hundreds of articles, with notable works such as The Wounded Healer, The Return of the Prodigal Son, Life of the Beloved, and The Inner Voice of Love. His writing, often rooted in personal vulnerability and spiritual struggle, resonated with readers across denominations. Nouwen openly explored themes of loneliness, identity, intimacy, and the human desire for love and belonging, making his voice especially relatable and influential.
Though he was a gifted academic and popular speaker, Nouwen found his deepest calling later in life through his involvement with L’Arche, a network of communities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. After a transformative stay at the original L’Arche community in France, Nouwen accepted an invitation to become the pastor of L’Arche Daybreak in Richmond Hill, Ontario. There he developed a close bond with Adam Arnett, a core member with severe disabilities, which inspired the book Adam: God’s Beloved. At Daybreak, Nouwen discovered a deep spiritual home and a community that helped him embrace his humanity in profound ways.
Throughout his life, Nouwen wrestled with issues of identity, including his sexuality and his longing for connection, though he remained faithful to his vows. His openness about depression and inner conflict gave depth to his pastoral message, and his ability to turn personal struggle into shared spiritual insight made him one of the most beloved spiritual writers of the 20th century.
Henri Nouwen died in 1996 of a sudden heart attack, but his legacy endures through his writings, the Henri Nouwen Society, and the continued global reach of his message of belovedness, vulnerability, and compassionate community. His books remain bestsellers, widely read in seminaries, churches, and among individuals seeking a more intimate walk with God.
Nouwen held teaching positions at prestigious institutions including the University of Notre Dame, Yale Divinity School, and Harvard Divinity School. He authored over three dozen books and hundreds of articles, with notable works such as The Wounded Healer, The Return of the Prodigal Son, Life of the Beloved, and The Inner Voice of Love. His writing, often rooted in personal vulnerability and spiritual struggle, resonated with readers across denominations. Nouwen openly explored themes of loneliness, identity, intimacy, and the human desire for love and belonging, making his voice especially relatable and influential.
Though he was a gifted academic and popular speaker, Nouwen found his deepest calling later in life through his involvement with L’Arche, a network of communities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. After a transformative stay at the original L’Arche community in France, Nouwen accepted an invitation to become the pastor of L’Arche Daybreak in Richmond Hill, Ontario. There he developed a close bond with Adam Arnett, a core member with severe disabilities, which inspired the book Adam: God’s Beloved. At Daybreak, Nouwen discovered a deep spiritual home and a community that helped him embrace his humanity in profound ways.
Throughout his life, Nouwen wrestled with issues of identity, including his sexuality and his longing for connection, though he remained faithful to his vows. His openness about depression and inner conflict gave depth to his pastoral message, and his ability to turn personal struggle into shared spiritual insight made him one of the most beloved spiritual writers of the 20th century.
Henri Nouwen died in 1996 of a sudden heart attack, but his legacy endures through his writings, the Henri Nouwen Society, and the continued global reach of his message of belovedness, vulnerability, and compassionate community. His books remain bestsellers, widely read in seminaries, churches, and among individuals seeking a more intimate walk with God.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 28, 2026
Lite för kort bok för att ett betyg ska växa fram under lästiden, så det får bli en trea. Fin tankeställare och två fina citat från boken.
”Vem kan måla ett porträtt av människor som alla vill stå i centrum? Vem kan bygga en vacker kyrka med människor som bara är intresserade av att resa tornet? Vem kan baka en födelsedagstårta med människor som bara vill sätta på tårtljusen? Ni känner till problemet. När alla vill ha äran av att vara den verklige fredsstiftaren, kommer det aldrig bli fred.”
”Så länge som vi lever och tänker som om det ännu knte fanns någon frid och som om vi måste åstadkomma den själva, så länge är vi på väg mot självdestruktion. Men när vi förtröstar på att kärlekens Gud redan har gett oss den frid vi söker, då ska vi få se hans frid bryta fram ur den sönderhackade myllan av våra mänskliga villkor, och då kommer vi att kunna låta den växa snabbt och till och med bota de ekonomiska och politiska sjukdomar vår tid lider av.”
”Vem kan måla ett porträtt av människor som alla vill stå i centrum? Vem kan bygga en vacker kyrka med människor som bara är intresserade av att resa tornet? Vem kan baka en födelsedagstårta med människor som bara vill sätta på tårtljusen? Ni känner till problemet. När alla vill ha äran av att vara den verklige fredsstiftaren, kommer det aldrig bli fred.”
”Så länge som vi lever och tänker som om det ännu knte fanns någon frid och som om vi måste åstadkomma den själva, så länge är vi på väg mot självdestruktion. Men när vi förtröstar på att kärlekens Gud redan har gett oss den frid vi söker, då ska vi få se hans frid bryta fram ur den sönderhackade myllan av våra mänskliga villkor, och då kommer vi att kunna låta den växa snabbt och till och med bota de ekonomiska och politiska sjukdomar vår tid lider av.”
November 10, 2020
Henri Nouwen always speaks to the depth of my soul. Loved this short but profound read.
May 27, 2025
A touching short book by Nouwen exploring peace from his experience living with people with severe disabilities.
July 23, 2012
A lovely little book on the nature of peace by a very insightful and loving man.
March 30, 2015
A reminder deep and rich to just be instead of do. To trust that living fully here makes a difference there. To honor the tasks before us - hard, rich, and right.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews