The Enduring Heart: Spirituality for the Long Haul

by Wilkie Au

In middle age, people are overwhelmed by a yearning to abandon the trivial, to create a better self, and to begin living in relation to life's ultimate questions. Wilkie Au offers here a warm guidebook for traveling the road of middle age. It acts as a type of "spiritual triple-A auto club," providing both a map for middle life's journey and roadside assistance for those who find themselves stuck along the way. Transitions peak in middle age―loss of all sorts―yet for believers, loss is never the final word. Crammed with stories, examples, and excerpts from both classic and contemporary writers, this book shows that God is always there to meet us now, wherever we are on the journey. This is spirituality that endures, spirituality for the long haul. ―Helps readers cope with common obstacles in the spiritual path, such as the need for control, the fear of the unknown, and the desire to cling to possessions ―Shows how to live with more awareness, more immediacy, more gratitude, and more compassion ―Provides practical tools such as reflections, exercises, prayers, and guidelines for developing one's spirituality †

192 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2000

Reviews

[Renaissance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used this for "daily" (+/-) reading. Well written and covered a variety of topics, sometimes topics which I needed to reflect upon at the time. Each reading provided beneficial reflection which I was often able to apply to my daily life or to share with others. Includes numerous anecdotes which enhance the reading experience and emphasize various points.

[Philippa Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great course guide and reflective thought provoking book if you want to take inventory of your life. Read this during a silent retreat at St Andrew's Abbey. If you feel worn down by your spiritual journey or stuck on "what if's, what was, what could have been's" - this is for you.

[Sr Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this as part of a faith sharing group on sabbatical. Not a bad book - suited for beginners.

[M.j. Radosevich · Rating 5 out of 5]

The proverbial question...what, how, and with whom am I living my life and sharing/spending the gifts with which one was blessed. How am I or you leaving a positive legacy and what remains to be done ? Wilke Au invites the reflection as we walk our own unique journey ; am I rooted or stuck? When we suffer a deep personal loss in life it forces us to ask the same and it's a gift to have the strength to continue to choose life despite the soul's grief and the heart's sorrow.

[Tanika · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in a small group setting. Although I found a lot of parts not applicable for someone in my age group it had a lot of practical life application exercises for living life in a more meaningful and relevant way.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenominal. Enjoyed it very much.

[Doreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an encouragement for our life journey with God. Excellent!

[JasmineB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth the time to read... provides thoughts for reflection and presents a different perspective on how one can live a meaningful life.