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Behold the Beauty of the Lord: Praying With Icons
This is a book of meditations penned by famed Catholic writer Henri Nouwen, growing out of his contemplation of icons during sojourns at l'Arche, a community for people with mental handicaps in Tro
Paperback, 128 pages
Published
September 15th 2007
by Ave Maria Press
(first published 1986)
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(showing 1-30)
Praying with icons is a new prayer practice for me, prompted by a spiritual practices e-course I'm taking from Spirituality and Practice (www.SpiritualityandPractice.com). Because I have always associated iconograpy with Eastern Orthodox churches, I didn't know where to start with this practice. In this book Henri Nouwen presents his meditations on four icons which followed numerous periods of prayer gazing at these icons. Full color photos of the icons are included for the reader to look upon w
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Protestants have historically had a hard time with icons. They seem vaguely idolatrous. After all, people seem to spend time in prayer in front of them. That, of course, is an outsider's view. This is the book that will clarify why icons are such a valuable part of Orthodox tradition and spirituality. I couldn't possible say it as well as Henri does. They are not worship objects, but more like hallways to God. They allow you to focus your prayer and see beyond the world into God's presence. If y
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I use this as a part of my repetoire of devotionals. I like it, but I think because Icons are not something I am personally as familiar with, it is taking me a bit of effort to engage it. I'm committed, though! And, the illustrations are very wonderful and thus helpful.
Overall I still prefer Jim Forrest's Praying with Icons but I do love Henri Nouwen so this makes a fine compliment.
I am a Texas boy raised in a Southern Baptist church. I work at a private Baptist college. The use of Icons in Christian worship or spiritual practice is not something that has ever been in my spiritual heritage. Yet, when I saw that Henri Nouwen had written a book on the use of Icons, I knew that I could trust his direction and guidance. His book, The Way of the Heart, was an excellent guide to solitude and silence. He takes deep spiritual practices with nuanced types of uses and presents them
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Art history meets the Word of God.
In seeking refuge in a spiritual home, Nouwen met four Russian icons he came to venerate. The first icon was sitting on a table, waiting there for him as he entered his room. Even though they were not all of his own choosing, each of the four icons prompted him to write. He had a "deep urge", he felt "drawn to write." Sensory, primal and intellectual responses to these images caused his hands to move across a page of paper. He spoke words through his pen.
Certain ...more
In seeking refuge in a spiritual home, Nouwen met four Russian icons he came to venerate. The first icon was sitting on a table, waiting there for him as he entered his room. Even though they were not all of his own choosing, each of the four icons prompted him to write. He had a "deep urge", he felt "drawn to write." Sensory, primal and intellectual responses to these images caused his hands to move across a page of paper. He spoke words through his pen.
Certain ...more
Lovely little book. Nouwen gives meditations for 4 Russian icons and the pictures are included in color in the front. I've always been deeply attracted to icons, but had no idea that details so small could be so important or move me so greatly. Praying with each one was beautiful (despite the plainness of one especially), and I know this book will be a good guide in years to come.
I think people who are only beginning to pray may find it lacking in instruction, however. Though Nouwen gives a few ...more
I think people who are only beginning to pray may find it lacking in instruction, however. Though Nouwen gives a few ...more
Another excellent piece of work by Henri Nouwen. Very thoroughly researched, but more importantly devotedly and passionately written, this book is the best one I know of that is an introduction to icons. If you have ever been skeptical about icons, this book may not be for you to start with. For that, I would check out Frederica Matthews-Green's book on icons, which is crafted more for the beginner. Nouwen's book is more for people who already participate with icons and are looking to learn more
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READ NOV 2012
Compact but loaded piece from Nouwen on the power of prayer and the icons. Best quotes, "in our concern to do it right, we have forgotten how to respond spontaneously to an encounter with the Divine" (p. 10, Robert Lentz in the forward); "{Icons are] painted not as a lovely decoration for a convent church, nor as a helpful explanation of a difficult doctrine, but as a holy place to enter and stay within" (p. 32), and "we so much want to be looked at that we are ill prepared to be tr ...more
Compact but loaded piece from Nouwen on the power of prayer and the icons. Best quotes, "in our concern to do it right, we have forgotten how to respond spontaneously to an encounter with the Divine" (p. 10, Robert Lentz in the forward); "{Icons are] painted not as a lovely decoration for a convent church, nor as a helpful explanation of a difficult doctrine, but as a holy place to enter and stay within" (p. 32), and "we so much want to be looked at that we are ill prepared to be tr ...more
I did not know of this book's existence until a few weeks ago. If you liked Nouwen's "The Return of the Prodigal Son," you will like this. He does four meditations on four Russian icons (really paintings). You'll never see those paintings the same way again. Nouwen opens our eyes to aspects of the art work and the spiritual truths it reveals.
The physical book is beautiful too. My copy has fold out, full color copies of the paintings in the front and back. It enables the reader to gaze at the ar ...more
The physical book is beautiful too. My copy has fold out, full color copies of the paintings in the front and back. It enables the reader to gaze at the ar ...more
Henri Nouwen does it again this time with a thoughtful book on icons. This is one of those books you can return to again and again and always come away with new insights. Another great aspect of this book are the four color plates of the icons at the beginning of the book. His thoughtful commentary on the icons can only direct you back to gaze upon them yourself to search out your own way through them to the heart of God.
Second or third time to read this classic "introduction" to icons and the practice of praying through and with the icons. A beautiful book on so many levels--not the least of which are the beautifully reproduced icons that Nouwen describes and helps me to pray through and with.
A perfect read for Holy Week.
A perfect read for Holy Week.
A nice introduction to icons and reflections by Fr. Henri.
This is a fine book that provides a series of personal reflections by Fr. Nouwen on the basis of his prayerful observation of and engagement with four prominent icons within the Russian Orthodox iconographical tradition. A quick but meaningful read during Lent.
As an art lover and a person of faith, I enjoy this book. I was originally drawn to it for two reasons. One, it's Nouwen - and his words are always words of love, instruction, heart and reassurance. Secondly, it was intriguing to me to find of book written by a Catholic about matters having to do with the Eastern Orthodox church. Nouwen does not fail on either score. It is, perhaps to me, not as enjoyable as "Life of the Beloved" or "Prodigal Son" but it is well worth putting at your place of pr
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I am still definitely an iconoclast but it was interesting to read the perspective from an author I respect a short devotional style look on how certain Icons can be used in prayer to draw us closer to God.
246.5
The symbolism is interesting. Still, I think icons are an acquired taste I haven't quite gotten yet.
Interesting views. I will look at Icons in a new way.
this was a good meditation book for me. I could hold the image of the painting in my mind and come back to the devotion from time to time throughout the day.
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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
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