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The Way of the Heart: The Spirituality of the Desert Fathers and Mothers
The modern classic that interweaves the solitude, silence, and prayer of the fourth- and fifth-century Egyptian Desert Fathers and Mothers with our contemporary search for an authentic spirituality
43 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1981
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8533 people want to read
About the author
Henri J.M. Nouwen
452 books2,136 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 - 30 of 696 reviews
June 18, 2012
I've had this book on my shelf for quite awhile but had not gotten around to reading it. A couple of weekends ago I was scheduled to take a "personal retreat" which I try to do 3 or 4 times per year. As I perused my two shelves worth of Christian spirituality, formation, etc...the title caught my eye so I stuffed it in my bag with 2 or 3 other books for the weekend.
It only took a few pages to realize Nouwen was going to nail me. He identifies greed and anger as two critical sins which tend to plague people in ministry (professional/vocational/pastoral ministry). Basically, we are all faced with the decision to live out our false identity as we're victimized by the world"s compulsions or to discover our true selves...and live/lean into our identity in Christ.
In the same way which the ascetic 3rd and 4th century dessert fathers utilized solitude, silence, and prayer we must learn to incorporate these spiritual disciplines in our own contemporary culture and context of ministry. So not only was I challenged to be honest about some of the struggles in my heart, I was given some great tools by Nouwen to pursue a more contemplative life of prayer.
As I was headed out that weekend, someone commented "Oh, I could never do that" referring to my plan to spend a couple of days in complete solitude. Thankfully, we don't actually have to experience physical solitude in order to carve out time and space with God or learn the lessons Nouwen presents. But for many of us, the occasional ascetic experience of some sort of deprivation disrupts our system and routine just enough to realign our hearts and minds with Father, Son, & Spirit.
If greed (materialism, coveting, money, etc) or anger (frustration, resentment, disillusionment, etc) are becoming part of your default posture I would recommend you spend some time with this text. Or if you're looking for a good read during a spiritual retreat of some sort, "The Way of the Heart" could be a great addition to your reading agenda.
It only took a few pages to realize Nouwen was going to nail me. He identifies greed and anger as two critical sins which tend to plague people in ministry (professional/vocational/pastoral ministry). Basically, we are all faced with the decision to live out our false identity as we're victimized by the world"s compulsions or to discover our true selves...and live/lean into our identity in Christ.
In the same way which the ascetic 3rd and 4th century dessert fathers utilized solitude, silence, and prayer we must learn to incorporate these spiritual disciplines in our own contemporary culture and context of ministry. So not only was I challenged to be honest about some of the struggles in my heart, I was given some great tools by Nouwen to pursue a more contemplative life of prayer.
As I was headed out that weekend, someone commented "Oh, I could never do that" referring to my plan to spend a couple of days in complete solitude. Thankfully, we don't actually have to experience physical solitude in order to carve out time and space with God or learn the lessons Nouwen presents. But for many of us, the occasional ascetic experience of some sort of deprivation disrupts our system and routine just enough to realign our hearts and minds with Father, Son, & Spirit.
If greed (materialism, coveting, money, etc) or anger (frustration, resentment, disillusionment, etc) are becoming part of your default posture I would recommend you spend some time with this text. Or if you're looking for a good read during a spiritual retreat of some sort, "The Way of the Heart" could be a great addition to your reading agenda.
November 5, 2018
Nouwen writes here on solitude, silence and prayer. He writes this with much reference to the lives of the Desert Fathers and Mothers. In this he echoes Merton, who wrote a similar book. Every book I read by the likes of Nouwen, Merton and Rohr increases my appreciation. This is not just another run-of-the-mill book on spiritual practice, since the connection to the desert gives it a nice and refreshing slant. Very well done.
November 25, 2024
Solid book. Simple and straight to the point. I was able to relate to a lot of experiences of transformation within the heart through silence, solitude and prayer that the book mentioned. Will reread this in the future!
Main quote from the book:
"Silence prevents us from being suffocated by our wordy world and teaches us to speak the Word of God. Finally, unceasing prayer gives solitude and silence their real meaning. In unceasing prayer, we descend with the mind into the heart. (Thus we enter through our hear into the heart of God, who embraces all of history with his eternally creative and recreative love.)"
Main quote from the book:
"Silence prevents us from being suffocated by our wordy world and teaches us to speak the Word of God. Finally, unceasing prayer gives solitude and silence their real meaning. In unceasing prayer, we descend with the mind into the heart. (Thus we enter through our hear into the heart of God, who embraces all of history with his eternally creative and recreative love.)"
January 22, 2025
“Flee from the world, be silent and pray always.”
Another book gorged on with BNH. I'm writing this review over a month later, and I still reflect on Nouwen's ideas. I'm curious that if I look back a year from now, maybe, just maybe, it was what I needed, although I didn't know it at the time.
There's so much wisdom in this simplistic book - but that's kind of the point sometimes. Maybe we complicate things that don't need to be that complicated. Child-like faith, right?
There's a lot of good thoughts that counter our cultural norms. With only 96 pages, there's so much to mull over and reflect on. Nouwen talks about 3 practices: solitude, silence, and prayer. Freaking strong, definitely going to be a re-read.
Lot of good quotes, but this one really spoke to me:
“When we have been remodeled into living witnesses of Christ through solitude, silence, and prayer, we will no longer have to worry about whether we are saying the right thing or making the right gesture, because then Christ will make his presence known even when we are not aware of it.”
Another book gorged on with BNH. I'm writing this review over a month later, and I still reflect on Nouwen's ideas. I'm curious that if I look back a year from now, maybe, just maybe, it was what I needed, although I didn't know it at the time.
There's so much wisdom in this simplistic book - but that's kind of the point sometimes. Maybe we complicate things that don't need to be that complicated. Child-like faith, right?
There's a lot of good thoughts that counter our cultural norms. With only 96 pages, there's so much to mull over and reflect on. Nouwen talks about 3 practices: solitude, silence, and prayer. Freaking strong, definitely going to be a re-read.
Lot of good quotes, but this one really spoke to me:
“When we have been remodeled into living witnesses of Christ through solitude, silence, and prayer, we will no longer have to worry about whether we are saying the right thing or making the right gesture, because then Christ will make his presence known even when we are not aware of it.”
March 28, 2023
Cling to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Now I want to go into the desert and spend time away from everything but God and nature, seeking a silence in the soul and praying ceaselessly.
October 4, 2017
Over the past month, I've been doing some fasting, seeking clarity of God's leading in upcoming decisions. When I fast, I like to focus on devotional reading. In previous times of fasting, I've worked through Richard Foster's excellent edited volumes, Spiritual Classics and Devotional Classics. This time, I looked at my bookshelf and found this small book by Henri Nouwen, The Way of the Heart.
Originally published in 1981, The Way of the Heart presents a few key insights from the Desert Fathers--Christian pilgrims in the 4th and 5th centuries who exiled themselves to the deserts of Egypt, seeking a deeper relationship with and understanding of God. Nouwen writes in with a caring, pastoral voice, especially for ministry leaders; but the content is really for any Christian.
The three topics Nouwen focuses on are solitude, silence, and prayer. (I read one of these sections each day that I fasted.) I was particularly challenged by the section on silence. I am a relatively silent person in everyday life, but I understand that this is not necessarily a choice: it's just how I am. Nouwen challenged me to move from "The Way of the Personality," which is not something I've intentionally chosen for myself, to "The Way of the Heart"--deliberate, purposeful, and a different kind of silence. Nouwen writes:
The Way of the Heart is a short book and a quick read. I enjoyed the genuine, compassionate tone, and the lessons from the Desert Fathers are always welcome and needed.
Originally published in 1981, The Way of the Heart presents a few key insights from the Desert Fathers--Christian pilgrims in the 4th and 5th centuries who exiled themselves to the deserts of Egypt, seeking a deeper relationship with and understanding of God. Nouwen writes in with a caring, pastoral voice, especially for ministry leaders; but the content is really for any Christian.
The three topics Nouwen focuses on are solitude, silence, and prayer. (I read one of these sections each day that I fasted.) I was particularly challenged by the section on silence. I am a relatively silent person in everyday life, but I understand that this is not necessarily a choice: it's just how I am. Nouwen challenged me to move from "The Way of the Personality," which is not something I've intentionally chosen for myself, to "The Way of the Heart"--deliberate, purposeful, and a different kind of silence. Nouwen writes:
[S]ilence is above all a quality of the heart that can stay with us even in our conversation with others. It is a portable [monk's] cell that we carry with us wherever we go. From it we speak to those in need and to it we return after our words have borne fruit. . . . Words are the instrument of the present world, but silence is the mystery of the future world." (59-60)I want to pursue that deeper, more mysterious and future-oriented silence in my life, that the words I say will bring with them the fragrance of the future world as a comfort to people struggling in this one.
The Way of the Heart is a short book and a quick read. I enjoyed the genuine, compassionate tone, and the lessons from the Desert Fathers are always welcome and needed.
April 7, 2025
Very beautiful. Would recommend to anyone looking to deepen their spiritual life. I’m very intrigued by the desert fathers and mothers and this book was a helpful starting place to learn more.
January 15, 2024
Immensely helpful. Not a word or thought was wasted, which is refreshing in the age of “this book could have been an article.”
Though published in the eighties, Nouwen’s insight on solitude, silence, and prayer through the teaching of the Desert Fathers and Mothers feels more applicable today than ever. I’m encouraged and challenged by this short book.
Though published in the eighties, Nouwen’s insight on solitude, silence, and prayer through the teaching of the Desert Fathers and Mothers feels more applicable today than ever. I’m encouraged and challenged by this short book.
December 31, 2023
Amazing teaching on solitude via the desert mothers & fathers!!!
“Compassion is the fruit of solitude and the basis of all ministry.”
“Compassion is the fruit of solitude and the basis of all ministry.”
February 25, 2025
Brother Brandon Bought me this Book. Say that 10x fast for fun. Anyways..
In the lifelong journey to seek God by growing deeper in spiritual disciplines, I find myself learning from Nouwen and the Desert Fathers and Mothers. He touches on the topics of silence, solitude, and prayer, providing lessons and wisdom, but interestingly not an overwhelming amount of application. More what and why rather than how if you will. This is not a book that will spoon-feed you steps to fixing your life, rather, it will challenge you to reflect on the aforementioned practices and critically think about what they are and why you continue to do them.
A solid, relatively short read if you want different perspectives on the depth of prayer. Will need to read it again at some point to dissect it further.
"To pray is to descend with the mind into the heart, and there to stand before the face of the Lord, ever-present, all-seeing, within you." (p76)
In the lifelong journey to seek God by growing deeper in spiritual disciplines, I find myself learning from Nouwen and the Desert Fathers and Mothers. He touches on the topics of silence, solitude, and prayer, providing lessons and wisdom, but interestingly not an overwhelming amount of application. More what and why rather than how if you will. This is not a book that will spoon-feed you steps to fixing your life, rather, it will challenge you to reflect on the aforementioned practices and critically think about what they are and why you continue to do them.
A solid, relatively short read if you want different perspectives on the depth of prayer. Will need to read it again at some point to dissect it further.
"To pray is to descend with the mind into the heart, and there to stand before the face of the Lord, ever-present, all-seeing, within you." (p76)
July 19, 2016
(Upon my second reading)
“Arsenius, flee, be silent, pray always, for these for these are the sources of sinlessness.”
A valuable retrospective on the prayer life of the Desert Fathers, and Eastern Orthodox Christians. Drawing on the main themes of solitude, silence and prayer, Nouwen offers an alternative to the western church’s going-through-the-motions approach to following Christ.
“Only in the context of grace can we face our sin; only in the place of healing can we show our wounds; only with a single-minded attention to Christ can we give up our clinging fears and face our true nature.”
The most jarring note is Nouwen’s 1981 malaise. All right-thinking folks of that era were full bore gloom and doom. Mankind was doomed; the only way out of the Cold War was a civilization, if not planet-ending global nuclear war. Remember Jimmy Carter donning a wool sweater and turning down the White House heat? And Reagan? All right-thinking folks were sure we’d just elected an idiot who would only hasten the apocalypse. Only, it didn’t turn out that way, did it? Thirty years later much has changed and much hasn't.
“I have often repented of having spoken, but never of having remained silent.” Arsenius
“Arsenius, flee, be silent, pray always, for these for these are the sources of sinlessness.”
A valuable retrospective on the prayer life of the Desert Fathers, and Eastern Orthodox Christians. Drawing on the main themes of solitude, silence and prayer, Nouwen offers an alternative to the western church’s going-through-the-motions approach to following Christ.
“Only in the context of grace can we face our sin; only in the place of healing can we show our wounds; only with a single-minded attention to Christ can we give up our clinging fears and face our true nature.”
The most jarring note is Nouwen’s 1981 malaise. All right-thinking folks of that era were full bore gloom and doom. Mankind was doomed; the only way out of the Cold War was a civilization, if not planet-ending global nuclear war. Remember Jimmy Carter donning a wool sweater and turning down the White House heat? And Reagan? All right-thinking folks were sure we’d just elected an idiot who would only hasten the apocalypse. Only, it didn’t turn out that way, did it? Thirty years later much has changed and much hasn't.
“I have often repented of having spoken, but never of having remained silent.” Arsenius
March 14, 2025
I had never read about the “desert fathers and mothers” as it never seemed relevant to me to read about those who fled to the desert to engage in a monastic, solitary life; plus I don’t live near a desert. Although Nouwen references them, the real beauty in this little book is how clearly he is able to highlight and empathise with our issues with silence and solitude. Never has someone been able to explain so accurately and specifically why I sometimes struggle with prayer so much! Nouwen calls us back to child-like faith and simplicity in our prayer and time spent with Jesus. I think what can be found in the desert, and what we should be looking for can be summarized:
“It is this nothingness that I have to face in my solitude, a nothingness so dreadful that everything in me wants to run to my friends, my work, and my distractions so that I can forget my nothingness and make myself believe that I am worth something. There is a danger of living the whole of our life as one long defense against the reality of our condition, one restless effort to convince ourselves of our own virtuousness. Yet Jesus “did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners” (Matt. 9:13). That is the struggle. It is the struggle to die to the false self.
The wisdom of the desert is that the confrontation with our own frightening nothingness forces us to surrender ourselves totally and unconditionally to the Lord Jesus Christ.”
(The only reason this was given 4 stars is because while I think we can look up to the dedication of those Nouwen referenced as the desert father and mothers, I do not agree with how martyr-like some of their behaviors and actions were that Nouwen praises.
“It is this nothingness that I have to face in my solitude, a nothingness so dreadful that everything in me wants to run to my friends, my work, and my distractions so that I can forget my nothingness and make myself believe that I am worth something. There is a danger of living the whole of our life as one long defense against the reality of our condition, one restless effort to convince ourselves of our own virtuousness. Yet Jesus “did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners” (Matt. 9:13). That is the struggle. It is the struggle to die to the false self.
The wisdom of the desert is that the confrontation with our own frightening nothingness forces us to surrender ourselves totally and unconditionally to the Lord Jesus Christ.”
(The only reason this was given 4 stars is because while I think we can look up to the dedication of those Nouwen referenced as the desert father and mothers, I do not agree with how martyr-like some of their behaviors and actions were that Nouwen praises.
February 7, 2024
I mean, come on. Henri Nouwen. Every time.
I read this book so quickly, but I plan to reread it very very slowly. So much wisdom in here. Nouwen makes the practice of the Desert Fathers and Mothers compelling and will leave the reader craving to follow in the footsteps of these forefathers/mothers. The language of the desert which could be confusing and unattractive to the 21st century believer who is motivated by intellect and knowledge, is made extremely accessible by Nouwen, and invites the body of Christ here and now to return to the wisdom of the desert for the sake of the world around us.
He ends the book with this story from one of the Desert Fathers - “Three Fathers used to go and visit blessed Anthony every year and two of them used to discuss their thoughts and the salvation of their soul with him, but the third always remained silent and did not ask him anything. After a long time, Abba Anthony said to him: ‘You often come here to see me, but you never ask me anything’ and the other replied, ‘ It is enough to see you, Father.’” What a beautiful depiction of what the church could be. A people that "move into the midst of a tumultuous world with a heart at rest" as Nouwen so simply articulates.
Please read if you get the chance.
I read this book so quickly, but I plan to reread it very very slowly. So much wisdom in here. Nouwen makes the practice of the Desert Fathers and Mothers compelling and will leave the reader craving to follow in the footsteps of these forefathers/mothers. The language of the desert which could be confusing and unattractive to the 21st century believer who is motivated by intellect and knowledge, is made extremely accessible by Nouwen, and invites the body of Christ here and now to return to the wisdom of the desert for the sake of the world around us.
He ends the book with this story from one of the Desert Fathers - “Three Fathers used to go and visit blessed Anthony every year and two of them used to discuss their thoughts and the salvation of their soul with him, but the third always remained silent and did not ask him anything. After a long time, Abba Anthony said to him: ‘You often come here to see me, but you never ask me anything’ and the other replied, ‘ It is enough to see you, Father.’” What a beautiful depiction of what the church could be. A people that "move into the midst of a tumultuous world with a heart at rest" as Nouwen so simply articulates.
Please read if you get the chance.
November 2, 2023
I honestly had the wrong idea of what this book was about. I thought it covered the “how” of silence, solitude, and prayer, but it covered the “what”. It was hard to see past that unmet expectation, but when I do, I see Nouwen’s wisdom and insight on these disciplines and am able to gain a different perspective on them. This book is good for wanting to deeper understand these disciplines and how they affect us!
December 21, 2024
Valuable short book. I wish Nouwen would support his arguments more and dive deeper into exploring sociological claims or theology instead of just saying, "Thus ...". Solid wisdom is here though, I just have to sit down and work with the Spirit to discern it between Nouwen's paragraphs.
August 9, 2024
“Anger in particular seems close to a professional vice in the contemporary ministry… This is not an open, blatant, roaring anger, but an anger hidden behind the smooth word, the smiling face, and the polite handshake. It is a frozen anger, an anger which settles into a biting resentment and slowly paralyzes a generous heart. If there is anything that makes the ministry look grim and dull, it is this dark, insidious anger in the servants of Christ.”
This is a hugely important book to me and will probably be a yearly reread for a long time going forward.
This is a hugely important book to me and will probably be a yearly reread for a long time going forward.
August 1, 2022
The right book at the right time for me. The desert fathers have a lot to teach us about the value of silence, solitude, and unceasing prayer—not easy disciplines to incorporate into our modern world, but worth trying.
July 16, 2021
This short but lovely book is inspirational to me. It has concrete suggestions as to how to develop the "way of the heart" Nouwen is advocating.
Although the book is aimed at ministers, I found it helpful to me (I am certainly no minister!) in how to live a more spiritual life that by its very being helps others.
According to Nouwen, silence is the necessary foundation of the spiritual life. As a verbose person, this is challenging for me! I certainly am one of those people to whom he refers as believing that sharing feelings is healing. I don't intend to stop but I have also found that silence in daily meditation and in more prolonged retreats is healing. And I also know I can find ways to bring more silence of heart (and tongue!) into my day. I have been working toward this already and find that to the extent that I do so, my words have more meaning than when I simply run my mouth endlessly.
I love the desert fathers and mothers (see Thomas Merton's The Wisdom of the Desert: Sayings from the Desert Fathers of the Fourth Century) and here, as always, their words are often funny and always enlightening. And the idea of finding peace outside a chaotic, crumbling, and violent society in order to offer a vision and model of healthier, more loving and life-giving way of life, couldn't be more appropriate.
More than worth the relatively short time spent reading.
Although the book is aimed at ministers, I found it helpful to me (I am certainly no minister!) in how to live a more spiritual life that by its very being helps others.
According to Nouwen, silence is the necessary foundation of the spiritual life. As a verbose person, this is challenging for me! I certainly am one of those people to whom he refers as believing that sharing feelings is healing. I don't intend to stop but I have also found that silence in daily meditation and in more prolonged retreats is healing. And I also know I can find ways to bring more silence of heart (and tongue!) into my day. I have been working toward this already and find that to the extent that I do so, my words have more meaning than when I simply run my mouth endlessly.
I love the desert fathers and mothers (see Thomas Merton's The Wisdom of the Desert: Sayings from the Desert Fathers of the Fourth Century) and here, as always, their words are often funny and always enlightening. And the idea of finding peace outside a chaotic, crumbling, and violent society in order to offer a vision and model of healthier, more loving and life-giving way of life, couldn't be more appropriate.
More than worth the relatively short time spent reading.
April 1, 2013
This book promises (from the book jacket) "Within this one small book lies the most relevant and inspiring challenge that we shall ever face: to surrender the compulsive noise of the world for the way of the heart that leads us to God." This book delivered on what was written in the book jacket! I read this book very quickly and found myself wanting to withdraw from my daily life to a secluded spot somewhere so I could truly seek God with the hopes of hearing His words for me and my life. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is seeking a deeper experience with God. Great book!
December 9, 2024
Begin with this 90-page book to learn what the ancient Christians meant by the practice of silence and solitude. With the growing talk around this practice (which I'm thankful for), we need this book because Nouwen frames the practices in light of Scripture and tradition so that we don't lose it's meaning to self-help or other modern mystical movements that leave God behind. Through the image of the desert (e.g. Anthony's fight with demons) and his framework of the "Great Struggle" and the "Great Encounter", Nouwen preserves this Christian discipline from perversion.
May 12, 2024
so much wisdom! Here are some quotes
“Our compulsive, wordy and mind oriented world has a firm grip on us and we need a very strong and persistent discipline not to be squeezed to death by it.”
“The prayer of the heart is a prayer that does not allow us to limit our relationship with God to interesting words or pious emotions. It challenges us to hide absolutely nothing g from God and to surrender ourselves unconditionally to his mercy.”
“Our compulsive, wordy and mind oriented world has a firm grip on us and we need a very strong and persistent discipline not to be squeezed to death by it.”
“The prayer of the heart is a prayer that does not allow us to limit our relationship with God to interesting words or pious emotions. It challenges us to hide absolutely nothing g from God and to surrender ourselves unconditionally to his mercy.”
November 27, 2024
“Nothing human is alien to me”
3 characteristics of the prayer of the heart that leads us to a pure heart
1) prayer of the heart is nurtured by short, simple prayers
2) its unceasing
3) its all-inclusive
I’ve heard of the last two but as I was reading these last chapters the first one stuck out to me in the sense that a “pure in heart” prayer is “it’s short and simple”. In a day where Christians use long exhaustive prayers I wonder how much of it is prideful. How many of my prayers are used to boost my name, my glory, so many times I’ve been praying out loud in front of people and run out of words to say, fumbling around in my head for a phrase to keep talking causing me to stutter or trip up on my words. I don’t pause or stutter this much when talking to my best friends so why do I talk like this with God? It’s funny how we can turn something so pure as communicating with God and make it all about ourselves. “One phrase on the lips of a tax collector was enough to win God’s mercy; one humble request made with faith was enough to save a thief”
Maybe in this world of many words and much noise The Lord is looking for men who speak less, listen more, and create deserts in the midst of jungles.
Cant recommend a book enough take ur time or it will be a very short read!
3 characteristics of the prayer of the heart that leads us to a pure heart
1) prayer of the heart is nurtured by short, simple prayers
2) its unceasing
3) its all-inclusive
I’ve heard of the last two but as I was reading these last chapters the first one stuck out to me in the sense that a “pure in heart” prayer is “it’s short and simple”. In a day where Christians use long exhaustive prayers I wonder how much of it is prideful. How many of my prayers are used to boost my name, my glory, so many times I’ve been praying out loud in front of people and run out of words to say, fumbling around in my head for a phrase to keep talking causing me to stutter or trip up on my words. I don’t pause or stutter this much when talking to my best friends so why do I talk like this with God? It’s funny how we can turn something so pure as communicating with God and make it all about ourselves. “One phrase on the lips of a tax collector was enough to win God’s mercy; one humble request made with faith was enough to save a thief”
Maybe in this world of many words and much noise The Lord is looking for men who speak less, listen more, and create deserts in the midst of jungles.
Cant recommend a book enough take ur time or it will be a very short read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2024
I read this along with my small group and didn't expect to like it. But Nouwen had my attention right away when he asked how we can serve in this badly broken world without losing heart. He then offers wisdom from the desert fathers to show us several practices that can keep us grounded when all else is in chaos.
I opened this book with a lot of skepticism, but ended up being encouraged by many of its ideas. I especially appreciated the concept of HESYCHIA, the rest which flows from unceasing prayer. It was a call to more prayer and less worry, which is a call I'm glad to answer.
I opened this book with a lot of skepticism, but ended up being encouraged by many of its ideas. I especially appreciated the concept of HESYCHIA, the rest which flows from unceasing prayer. It was a call to more prayer and less worry, which is a call I'm glad to answer.
June 28, 2024
This book makes me think I’d really like a silent retreat. (Missed my chance LOL) Obviously Henri Nouwen doesn’t miss so this was an easy 5 stars and I really didn’t know much about the desert fathers so this was an impeccable introduction. He writes to those trying to minister in a tumultuous world with hearts at rest (which sounds painstakingly familiar to me!) + I’d recommend this read to every missionary I know! Didn’t take too long to get through, jam packed with sucker punch quote goodness and a necessary message for our time! Will absolutely be incorporating these themes into discipleships!!!
Previously mentioned quote goodness:
“Solitude is not simply a means to an end. Solitude is its own end. It is the place where Christ remodels us in his own image and frees us from the victimizing compulsions of the world. Solitude is the place of our salvation”
“Solitude molds self-righteous people into gentle, caring, forging persons who are so deeply convinced of their own great sinfulness and so fully aware of God’s even greater mercy that their life itself becomes ministry.”
“How can we possibly expect anyone to find real nurture, comfort, and consolation from a prayer life that taxes the mind beyond its limits and adds one more exhausting activity to the many already scheduled ones?”
“Real prayer penetrates to the marrow of our soul and leaves nothing untouched. The prayer of the heart is a prayer that does not allow us to limit our relationship with God to interesting words or pious emotions.”
Previously mentioned quote goodness:
“Solitude is not simply a means to an end. Solitude is its own end. It is the place where Christ remodels us in his own image and frees us from the victimizing compulsions of the world. Solitude is the place of our salvation”
“Solitude molds self-righteous people into gentle, caring, forging persons who are so deeply convinced of their own great sinfulness and so fully aware of God’s even greater mercy that their life itself becomes ministry.”
“How can we possibly expect anyone to find real nurture, comfort, and consolation from a prayer life that taxes the mind beyond its limits and adds one more exhausting activity to the many already scheduled ones?”
“Real prayer penetrates to the marrow of our soul and leaves nothing untouched. The prayer of the heart is a prayer that does not allow us to limit our relationship with God to interesting words or pious emotions.”
March 25, 2024
So formational in my understanding of spiritual practices, specifically that of prayer. God does not need a long prayer explaining my needs but a simple word of “Lord, help me!” He knows all of my needs!
Want to read
March 4, 2009The best book for blogging.
from Stuff Christians Like by Prodigal Jon
Sometimes people ask me for tips about blogging. I don't feel particularly qualified to answer that question even though I do blog a lot. What I can tell you though is the name of the best book ever written about blogging:
"The Way of the Heart" by Henri Nouwen.
Here are three things I can tell you about this book:
1. It is only 84 pages long.
2. It only costs $9.31 on Amazon so it's super cheap.
3. I underlined almost every line on every page.
The challenge with a blog is that it tends to make your life loud. It's easy to put this blog filter on everything you do or experience and I sometimes catch myself with this running, babbling conversation in my head, "Should this go on the blog? Maybe this should? Should it? Is this blog worthy?" You might not experience that but this book's focus on seeking solitude with Christ really challenges me to put Him first and not my blog.
If you're going to start a blog. Get this book. If you want to grow a blog, get this book. Bottom line, I heart this book.
p.s. It was written in 1981 so it doesn't use the word "blog" in it at all but that's what books written before their time do. Twenty eight years later this book rocks a medium that didn't even exist when it was published.
from Stuff Christians Like by Prodigal Jon
Sometimes people ask me for tips about blogging. I don't feel particularly qualified to answer that question even though I do blog a lot. What I can tell you though is the name of the best book ever written about blogging:
"The Way of the Heart" by Henri Nouwen.
Here are three things I can tell you about this book:
1. It is only 84 pages long.
2. It only costs $9.31 on Amazon so it's super cheap.
3. I underlined almost every line on every page.
The challenge with a blog is that it tends to make your life loud. It's easy to put this blog filter on everything you do or experience and I sometimes catch myself with this running, babbling conversation in my head, "Should this go on the blog? Maybe this should? Should it? Is this blog worthy?" You might not experience that but this book's focus on seeking solitude with Christ really challenges me to put Him first and not my blog.
If you're going to start a blog. Get this book. If you want to grow a blog, get this book. Bottom line, I heart this book.
p.s. It was written in 1981 so it doesn't use the word "blog" in it at all but that's what books written before their time do. Twenty eight years later this book rocks a medium that didn't even exist when it was published.
April 23, 2025
(Just reread this again and loved it even better the second time so my review stands true)
Henry Nouwen speaks to the restlessness and anxiousness of our souls (caused by a wordy world and intellectual-focused church and world) by offering CAPTIVATING wisdom from the Bible and Desert Fathers/Mothers who mastered the 3 spiritual disciplines. This book sucked me in and I’m about to reread it so I can piece the 3 disciplines together now that I have a Birds Eye view of their necessary purpose.
“It will not make ministry easy, but simple; it will not make it sweet and pious, but spiritual; it will not make it painless and without struggle, but restful in the true hesychastic sense.”
Henry Nouwen speaks to the restlessness and anxiousness of our souls (caused by a wordy world and intellectual-focused church and world) by offering CAPTIVATING wisdom from the Bible and Desert Fathers/Mothers who mastered the 3 spiritual disciplines. This book sucked me in and I’m about to reread it so I can piece the 3 disciplines together now that I have a Birds Eye view of their necessary purpose.
“It will not make ministry easy, but simple; it will not make it sweet and pious, but spiritual; it will not make it painless and without struggle, but restful in the true hesychastic sense.”
August 2, 2015
Good insights but mostly a collection of stories about the desert fathers. Solitude, silence, and prayer are indeed important. But more emphasis on Scripture (especially Christ's example in this) would have drastically improved this short volume.
August 3, 2018
Nouwen examined what the Dessert Fathers and Mothers have to say to ministers in our time. He sought to answer the question: “What is required of a man or a woman who is called to enter fully into the turmoil and agony of the times and speak a word of hope? (2).” In the teachings of the dessert fathers and mothers, Nouwen discovered the wisdom to be attained through the spiritual practices of solitude, silence, and prayer. In solitude, focused time with God alone and no distractions, we come face-to-face with our own nothingness which forces us to surrender ourselves totally and unconditionally to Christ alone. This solitude is vital because, “ministry can be fruitful only if it grows out of a direct and intimate encounter with our Lord (21).” Solitude breeds compassion for others. “Silence completes and intensifies solitude (35).” In silence, we learn to speak only words that have true value. Silence breeds an ever-growing charity from which we minister to others. “Solitude and silence can never be separated from the call to unceasing prayer (63).” Nouwen distinguishes between the prayer of the mind and the prayer of the heart. “The crisis of our prayer life is that our mind may be filled with ideas of God while our heart remains far from him. Real prayer comes from the heart (71).” The prayer of the heart breeds unconditional surrender to the mercy of God. This develops Christ-likeness. One “should strive to let his prayer remodel the whole of his person (75).” Nouwen was a Roman Catholic priest, professor, writer, and theologian. The Way of the Heart is almost uncanny in that Roman Catholicism is not obvious. There is no Mariology and no mention of the Sacraments. Rather, the work points to Christ and to Scripture. Thereby, it is suitable for all Christians. Nouwen focuses on spirituality for ministers because, “The discipline of leading all our people with their struggles into the gentle and humble heart of God is the discipline of prayer as well as the discipline of ministry (87).”
January 15, 2024
2.5/5 stars. I feel like Henri Nouwen doesn’t say anything wrong, but I still finish reading his books feeling unsatisfied. Like there’s some level of profoundness and depth I’m hoping to find, but only catch glimpses and flashes of. I think he speaks some simple truth, quotes some great snippets from the desert fathers, and works best to explain solitude, silence and prayer for his audience. However, I also don’t think I fall into his intended audience for this book. I wanted this to be more about the desert fathers, and less of an advice piece for pastors who no longer want to pray, but maybe it just wasn’t meant for me 🤷♀️
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