Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “The Awakened Heart: Opening Yourself to the Love You Need” as Want to Read:
The Awakened Heart: Opening Yourself to the Love You Need
by
"Integrating the wisdom of ancient mystics and the insights of contemporary thinkers, May examines the spiritual longings that are often hidden and controlled by society's pressures and expectations.
"—Publishers Weekly ...more
"—Publishers Weekly ...more
Get A Copy
Paperback
Published
April 9th 1993
by HarperOne
(first published October 1st 1991)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
The Awakened Heart,
please sign up.
Be the first to ask a question about The Awakened Heart
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of The Awakened Heart: Opening Yourself to the Love You Need
Gerald May is one of my favourite Christian contemplative authors. His words never cease to penetrate deep into my soul. His personable honesty makes him seem like one of my best friends. His vocation in the mental health field as a psychiatrist has given him a unique understanding for the challenges I face in my vocation.
Gerald is gifted at taking the writings of the ancient mystics and bringing them alive in our contemporary age. His book The Dark Night of the Soul was my first introduction to ...more
Gerald is gifted at taking the writings of the ancient mystics and bringing them alive in our contemporary age. His book The Dark Night of the Soul was my first introduction to ...more
DNF
I grow tired of all the God references.
Just not for me.
I grow tired of all the God references.
Just not for me.
Gerald May was a psychiatrist and also someone who was on a spiritual journey. I feel what I learned from his book is not to push and struggle so much, and to just be.... accept grace, accept help. That God is always present, and we can trust that.....
Great. Great. May's masterpiece, I think. It is one of those books that I fear I need to underline too much -- better just read it again! I am not sure I agree with his somewhat indeterminate centering on "love." But it doesn't bother me too much because I definitely know what he means.
...more
This book is a good read for anyone seeking more meaning in life. It does a great job of properly defining love, which is much needed in the current dysfunction of American religion and giving practical steps to BE LOVE in our everyday lives.
A worthwhile but tedious book that would have benefitted enormously by a thorough editing. There was too much when the essence of the book required less.
Jan 28, 2009
Suzanne
is currently reading it
Really Healing . I love Gerald May.
One of the most inspirational books I have ever read
First of all: May describes himself in this book as a Christian mystic, and that is what this book is exactly about. Meditative/contemplative practice grounded in an all-encompassing spirituality. If you are "traditional Evangelical" and you're expecting something grounded in scripture, this is not it.
However, for those in that camp who are willing to read people outside of their own tradition and sift through a bit of syncretism, there are a few hidden gems to be found. I read this book in the ...more
However, for those in that camp who are willing to read people outside of their own tradition and sift through a bit of syncretism, there are a few hidden gems to be found. I read this book in the ...more
Having begun this some years ago at the suggestion of my Spiritual Director, I found the words of May to be comforting and challenging. There is a sense of being aware in all of life, of being open to the love which is of God and from God, of being prayer-full with each moment (reminiscent of Brother Lawrence). May writes with experience and a long history of thought and practice. Similar in style to "Wisdom of the Wilderness", yet offering fresh insights . . . I enjoy what he has to say and the
...more
The book was very helpful and insightful as I make my own personal journey along the Contemplative path. At times repetitious; at times seemingly contradictory. Recommends just doing the various practices and not worrying about doing things "correctly." But then at one point he lists in great detail from best to worst ways to be contemplative.
...more
A spiritual masterpiece.
Wise, wonderful, peaceful
Gerald May masterpiece brings me peace, even in the reading. No hurry, no trouble, inward glance, God’s love reached toward me
Gerald May masterpiece brings me peace, even in the reading. No hurry, no trouble, inward glance, God’s love reached toward me
One of the finest books I've ever read. May discusses the dynamics of love and efficiency
in a culture that often gets it wrong. ...more
in a culture that often gets it wrong. ...more
I guide for following a deeper connection to God through personal prayer and meditation. Informative and an easy read.
A clear, simple approach to living the spiritual life.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Readers also enjoyed
News & Interviews
Need another excuse to treat yourself to a new book this week? We've got you covered with the buzziest new releases of the day.
To create our...
2 likes · 1 comments
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“Love cannot be a means to any end. Love does not promise success, power, achievement, health, recovery, satisfaction, peace of mind, fulfillment, or any other prizes. Love is an end in itself, a beginning in itself. Love exists only for love. The invitation of love is not a proposal for self-improvement or any other kind of achievement. Love is beyond success and failure, doing well or doing poorly. There is not even a right and wrong way. Love is a gift. One can never be proud of being in love. One can only be grateful.”
—
12 likes
“We know in our hearts that choosing love is choosing life and freedom; saying yes to love’s invitation is the only way to lasting meaning and real worth. But our minds are likely to have a different opinion. The parts of our minds that are addicted to efficiency will make us doubt our desire. They will demand to know why we want to risk being hurt in the cause of love. What purpose will it serve? What function? Would it not be better to seek safety and security and simply hope for a little joy now and then, a few touches of caring along the way?”
—
7 likes
More quotes…
