What do you think?
Rate this book
Beloved: Henri Nouwen in Conversation
In this rare, previously unpublished interview Henri Nouwen, one of the most deeply loved spiritual teachers of recent times, reflects on themes that were central to his life and thought.
Beloved records -- in both spoken and written form -- a treasured conversation that took place in the summer of 1992 at a retreat center in England. The CD enables one to listen to Nouwen's distinctive voice as he speaks about such things as transforming our loneliness, escaping the tyranny of busyness, and choosing to live in ways that, moment by moment, remind us of who we are -- the beloved of God.
The book shows this conversation to be studded with gems of spiritual wisdom that merit slow, contemplative reading. Including questions for reflection or discussion, Beloved is perfect for individual or group retreats or for personal listening and reading. Here is a depth of wisdom to turn to again and again.
Beloved records -- in both spoken and written form -- a treasured conversation that took place in the summer of 1992 at a retreat center in England. The CD enables one to listen to Nouwen's distinctive voice as he speaks about such things as transforming our loneliness, escaping the tyranny of busyness, and choosing to live in ways that, moment by moment, remind us of who we are -- the beloved of God.
The book shows this conversation to be studded with gems of spiritual wisdom that merit slow, contemplative reading. Including questions for reflection or discussion, Beloved is perfect for individual or group retreats or for personal listening and reading. Here is a depth of wisdom to turn to again and again.
64 pages, Hardcover
First published September 28, 2007
16 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
About the author
Henri J.M. Nouwen
453 books2,128 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 18, 2021
That an off-the cuff, recorded conversation can provide such of depth of insight is a glimpse into the remarkable mind and heart of Henri Nouwen. This isn’t a formal work of Nouwen, so it’s no Wounded Healer or Parable of the Prodigal Son, but there is plenty to value here in reflections on the value of solitude and specifically in living into our identity as the beloved of God. Nouwen’s reflections are spiritual, and they are practical. In truth, is there any separation between the two for those who worship the God who became incarnate in Christ? Those who love Nouwen will be grateful for this treasure.
July 4, 2024
Just beautiful (and at only 50 pages, you can read it very quickly!).
“If you give your whole heart and your whole mind and your while strength to God, then you discover your neighbor there.” (Mk 12:30-31)
“So, this is communion with God, community, ministry. That is the order of things—at night to pray, in the morning to form community and then with community to minister.” (Lk 6:12-19)
“If you give your whole heart and your whole mind and your while strength to God, then you discover your neighbor there.” (Mk 12:30-31)
“So, this is communion with God, community, ministry. That is the order of things—at night to pray, in the morning to form community and then with community to minister.” (Lk 6:12-19)
August 6, 2010
How many times do you need to be called the beloved one? A good read to remind that we are deeply loved by our creator no matter in what circumstances you were, are or will be. That's the key to live gently even in a violent world.
July 25, 2012
I loved listening to Nouwen's voice. I used it to pray before delivering a talk on what it means to be God's Beloved.
March 24, 2025
This book was to serve as a precursor to my 2025 Lenten read - Life of the Beloved. I had a phase during undergrad where I would hunt down Paulo Coelho's works and read them. I wonder if in this season of life, Henry Nouwen is my Paulo Coelho :D
The interview has refreshed a lot of themes that he shared in 'Turn my mourning into dancing'. As always, every book speaks to you differently as you go through it, something affirming, sometimes helping you to contemplate what you learnt in the season.
I cannot stop myself from getting attracted to people who live their belovedness in God. With each person, there is some beauty in how they externalize it. For the last few years, certain interactions/ friendships were draining me out - one reason I attribute to them is summarized well in this book. The antidote to those experiences is 'Let it go, I am the beloved, he/she did not understand it'. I wonder what will happen to our collective human spirit, if lived larger, convicted by our personal belovedness :) Excited to dive into my Lenten read.
The interview has refreshed a lot of themes that he shared in 'Turn my mourning into dancing'. As always, every book speaks to you differently as you go through it, something affirming, sometimes helping you to contemplate what you learnt in the season.
I cannot stop myself from getting attracted to people who live their belovedness in God. With each person, there is some beauty in how they externalize it. For the last few years, certain interactions/ friendships were draining me out - one reason I attribute to them is summarized well in this book. The antidote to those experiences is 'Let it go, I am the beloved, he/she did not understand it'. I wonder what will happen to our collective human spirit, if lived larger, convicted by our personal belovedness :) Excited to dive into my Lenten read.
November 1, 2017
Once again, Henri Nouwen does not disappoint. I found this and another Nouwen book on the shelf at the Kendallville library. I didn't recall having read this one, but even if I did, I always find a new gem in Nouwen's thought. One of my favorite sections of this conversation was his take on having too much to do. He proposes that there "is absolutely no reason for most pelople to be as busy as they are." His thought is that we are so busy because we Want more than we Need...more money, more television (this conversation occurred before the internet), more books, more people. He said we can even be too busy seeking the solitude that we claim we have no time to find. To decide if this is true, he suggests thinking critically about what we do with the time and resources we have.
This is a brief read, but rich in Nouwen's wisdom on being the Beloved of God.
P.S. There was a cd in the back of the book that was a recording of the conversation. It was good to hear his voice.
This is a brief read, but rich in Nouwen's wisdom on being the Beloved of God.
P.S. There was a cd in the back of the book that was a recording of the conversation. It was good to hear his voice.
March 10, 2018
A beautiful book by Henri Nouwen to talk about how we truly are all beloved children in this world. Nouwen speaks about how God loves us and cares about every aspect of our lives. Nouwen actually wrote Beloved due to a dear friend who came to stay with him at the monastery. His friend was an atheist and wanted Nouwen to write something that would relate to people like him who were nonbelievers. His friend did not believe that Nouwen succeeded with this book. However, Beloved is an amazing book for people who seek to know that there is a God, and a God who loves. The book is comforting, kind, and shows us the true nature of God being a loving presence and that we are all loved.
One of the best chapters is “Blessed,” which makes any person—believing, agnostic, atheist—feel loved and cared for.
One of the best chapters is “Blessed,” which makes any person—believing, agnostic, atheist—feel loved and cared for.
May 10, 2019
Love is the subject. There are many forms of love and this conversation presents the various depths of love we all experience concluding with the God love as apposed to the need love. C.S. Lewis in his "Four Loves" describes this intertwining intimacy from the casual to the all encompassing. Nouwen reveals the pinnacle of such a thing in mankind with our ultimate love for our creator and his presence in our lives.
Our understanding and adaptation of this life force certainly alters every motivation on a daily basis. The truest form of love reaches beyond self and passes on care for others in a beautiful way. All anger, jealousy, hatred pass away and life becomes peaceful, joyful, serene, and worthy.
Our understanding and adaptation of this life force certainly alters every motivation on a daily basis. The truest form of love reaches beyond self and passes on care for others in a beautiful way. All anger, jealousy, hatred pass away and life becomes peaceful, joyful, serene, and worthy.
May 18, 2020
This is a recorded conversation consisting of 14 questions and answers between Henri Nouwen and Philip Roderick. The questions include the nature and benefit of silence, the business of modern Westerners, and above all, our identity as beloved. This book was short, but also great. Henri Nouwen was incredibly gifted at soul care for individuals.
September 15, 2018
Henri does a great job of addressing issues here. While he is clear to always go back to scripture he does so in a very pastoral way that not only addresses truth but also helps the reader work through various emotional issues that are tied to the application of truth.
September 4, 2019
Wonderful insights!
God bless Henri for this book - a gem for all wanting to explore more and learn how to love yourself so you can go love others.
God bless Henri for this book - a gem for all wanting to explore more and learn how to love yourself so you can go love others.
October 3, 2019
Recognize your real relationship with God in this insightful interview with the deeply loved spiritual teacher Henri Nouwen. It is a very powerful read.
May 11, 2020
Very enjoyable little book for thought. I like the reflection questions in the back
April 14, 2023
This was a deeply beautiful book. It got me into reading a lot of Henri Nouwen. Highly recommend.
September 9, 2021
The book is a conversation between Philip Roderick and Henry Nouwen. Philip asked 14 questions: Solitude; Too Little Time or Too Much; Vocation; Knowing Ourselves Beloved; The Heart: Prayer; Silence; Light in the Darkness; Hope; Choosing Life; Worship; Desiring God, Resisting God; Live Larger, and Prayer in Action. Nouwen shared his thoughts and answers.
Nouwen focuses the order of life: communion with God through solitude, silence and prayer, followed by forming a faith community with believers who practice solitude and silence, and then this transformed community serves God through ministering other people together. The root of his identity is that he is the son of God, the brother of Jesus, and he is God's beloved. He observed that many churches today turn the order around: they want to be busy with many activities, if it does not work they form a community to do more things, and if it does not work they start praying.
One thing that strikes me is that Nouwen clarifies what spiritual life is about. He said, "A lot of people are asking for the spiritual life and what they really want is to feel good about themselves." Some postmodern churches speak highly of spiritual formation and make it the ultimate path of spirituality. They may simply want to feel good about themselves. The test of one's spiritual life is his fruit; it is also true for a local church (Matthew 7:16-20; Galatians 5:22-23).
I like in particular Nouwen teaches that we are faced with constant choices, and we make a lot of mistakes. But God, who calls us the beloved from eternity, constantly invites again to choose, to choose not so much to be a victim in life: violence, narcissistic behaviour, self-absorption, addiction, totally lost, suicide, destruction and darkness. God invites us to say 'Yes,' 'Yes,' 'and 'Yes' yet again, to say 'Yes' to God's love; to say 'LORD, I love you too, because you're beautiful and you are great. I love you too. "Worship, to me, is constantly to say, 'Yes' to God's love.
Hallelujah, praise the LORD!!
Nouwen focuses the order of life: communion with God through solitude, silence and prayer, followed by forming a faith community with believers who practice solitude and silence, and then this transformed community serves God through ministering other people together. The root of his identity is that he is the son of God, the brother of Jesus, and he is God's beloved. He observed that many churches today turn the order around: they want to be busy with many activities, if it does not work they form a community to do more things, and if it does not work they start praying.
One thing that strikes me is that Nouwen clarifies what spiritual life is about. He said, "A lot of people are asking for the spiritual life and what they really want is to feel good about themselves." Some postmodern churches speak highly of spiritual formation and make it the ultimate path of spirituality. They may simply want to feel good about themselves. The test of one's spiritual life is his fruit; it is also true for a local church (Matthew 7:16-20; Galatians 5:22-23).
I like in particular Nouwen teaches that we are faced with constant choices, and we make a lot of mistakes. But God, who calls us the beloved from eternity, constantly invites again to choose, to choose not so much to be a victim in life: violence, narcissistic behaviour, self-absorption, addiction, totally lost, suicide, destruction and darkness. God invites us to say 'Yes,' 'Yes,' 'and 'Yes' yet again, to say 'Yes' to God's love; to say 'LORD, I love you too, because you're beautiful and you are great. I love you too. "Worship, to me, is constantly to say, 'Yes' to God's love.
Hallelujah, praise the LORD!!
April 12, 2010
No...weirdly strange.
February 2, 2016
Excellent points on solitude and being beloved by God
June 6, 2016
Perfect.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews