Henri Nouwen was always torn between the meaning of his spiritual calling and his own psychological needs and longings. He could not integrate them except in his books—and then not with complete openness. He knew that he taught best those things that he needed to learn most— which is one reason so many people thought he was accompanying them on their spiritual journeys. He had an extraordinary skill, both in literary and pastoral terms, of making people feel he was connecting with them personally.
