Jean Vanier: Essential Writings

Modern Spiritual Masters

by Carolyn Whitney Brown

In 1964 Jean Vanier, a philosopher and former naval officer, moved into a dilapidated house in France with two companions and started the first L'Arche community. In time this grew into an international network of communities in which people with intellectual disabilities and those who assist them share their lives together. Though Vanier's roots are Roman Catholic, the movement is deeply ecumenical and interfaith, and his message of compassion, community, and the dignity of the human person, has struck a universal chord. Pope John Paul II called him "a great spokesman for the culture of solidarity and the civilization of love.'" This collection, published to mark Vanter's 80th birthday, contains his essential writings.

Genres: Spirituality, Religion, Nonfiction, Christian, Theology

176 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2008

Reviews

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over and over, Vanier emphasizes the great discovery of his life: "that we are healed by the poor and the weak, that we are transformed by them if we enter into relationship with them, that the weak and vulnerable have a gift to give our world. They call us together, in unity and peace, to build community." Jean's parallel conviction is that the poor and weak are also ourselves, each one of us. Living in this reality is a cornerstone of peace (p. Whitney-Bown, p. 13).

One of the best qualities of the men and women I live with is that they live for the present. They have sufferings in their past and they have aspirations for the future, but because they are people whose hearts are more developed than their minds, they have the capacity to live in the reality of the present (Vanier, p. 89).

Community takes a long time to form. It takes a longtime for barriers to drop, for mutual confidence to grow, for nonverbal communications to become more important than words. A community is only a community when most of the people in it have made the passage from 'the community for me' to 'me for the community' (Vanier, p. 98).

Freedom lies in discovering that the truth is not a set of fixed certitudes but a mystery we enter into, one step at a time. It is a process of going deep into an unfathomable reality (Vanier, p. 147).

[Foreign Grid]

Okay
Simple, insightful, and colorful document about how to view oneself and those who suffer

[Therese · Rating 5 out of 5]

"When we discover that we are all part of a larger family, united in a common humanity, and that over and above us and within us there is a universal truth and justice, where the God of Compassion and Goodness is present, then we find ourselves on the journey to freedom...With all of our beauty and brokenness, each one of us is important. We can be ourselves and let the beauty in us grow. We are not the center of the world -- and we do not have to be! We are part of a broken humanity, and in the company of others, we can stand up and continue the quest for freedom, truth and peace." Jean Vanier

[Marsmannix · Rating 2 out of 5]

maybe i just haven't found the right book yet

[Stephen Bedard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic read. It was far more than I expected. I always respected Vanier but I have a much better idea of who he was and what he did.

[Matt Mooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

good intro to Vanier

[Van H]

i am wonder. how can i have a free pdf. i want it but i can not have it.

[Donna Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential Writings, a compilation from Jean Vanier's books and lectures by Carolyn Whitney-Brown, offers a kind of spiritual and anthropological wisdom that can only be obtained by one who resides within the deep hurts of humanity. On August 5, 1964, Vanier formed his first community with men suffering from extreme intellectual abilities. His willingness to live among the "poor in Spirit" quickly became the model for many wounded healers throughout the world. Home leaders adopted Vanier's ethics and practices of communal living with the "least of these." Vanier became a master teacher and author on community where all are equal at the foot of the cross, an international speaker for the marginalized, and recipient of many humanitarian awards.

One of Vanier's most notable and repeated sayings is "change the world, with love, one heart at a time." In these simple words, Vanier encourages us that we all have the power to make a difference. In all his writings, Vanier points us to Jesus, giving us a glimpse of what it might be like to be more like HIm.

A few of my favorite Vanier books~
Befriending the Stranger
Community and Growth
From Brokenness to Community
Drawn into the Mystery of Jesus through the Gospel of John

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our modern world has fantastic power and knowledge. Man has conquered the moon, delved into the secret of matter, and discovered immense energies. Yes, we have amazing knowledge. But the only real knowledge necessary is lacking: the knowledge of how to transform violence and hatred into tenderness and forgiveness; how to stop the chain of aggression against the weak; how to see differences as a value rather than as a threat; how to stop people from envying those who have more and incite them to share with those who have less. The real question today is disarmament, not only on the international scale but in terms of our own personal aggression.
P 63.

I do not need to tell you that the moment we assume a defensive attitude we are on the road to dissolution and death. On the level of ideas, of ideologies, and of life, the best defense is the propagation of truths which attract, which inflame the heart, which give birth to hope, and which inspire men of good will to vital and dynamic action. P. 72

[Handy Randy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of interesting quotes from Vanier. He raises good points about things Jesus says that few people emphasize; they are there in the Bible for all to see, but few discuss them and preach on them. The key element is that God cares for the broken, and, contrary to "Word of Faith" teachers like Joel Osteen, he doesn't miraculously heal everyone. Vanier helps you deal with the broken areas of your own life.

[Terry Earley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful mind. This seemed like a good intro into his world of kindness and generosity towards people most of us try to ignore.