The lectures in this volume witness the importance of the meeting between the university of the learned and the university of the poor. From them a deep understanding of true discipleship emerges.
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All who are part of our culture of success will be challenged by Vanier's vision of life in community. -- Weavings
About the Author
After years of studying and teaching philosophy, Jean Vanier founded L'Arche, named after Noah's ark, a network of more than one hundred communities in thirty countries, inhabited by people with disabilities and their caregivers. Vanier is the son of former governor general of Canada Georges Vanier. Jean Vanier is also co-founder, with Marie-Hélène Mathieu, of Faith and Light, which brings together people with disabilities and their family and friends. There are now 1,300 Faith and Light communities in seventy-five countries.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By Jack Bender
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Vanier is a rare, authentic individual. I don't know of a smaller book that is so large on wisdom. If you ask those that have been through a formation program for the gem of their experience, it often comes in the form of "embrace your shadow." From Brokenness to Community makes the same point.
Vulnerable, we become approachable. Community is possible.
Aware of our shadow, we become less judgmental. Community is possible.
The residents of Vanier's community have severe physical and mental handicaps which soon test the souls of "regular" community members who support them. Once anger, jealousy, rivalry and impatience is exposed, it can be acknowledged and dealt with. The "evil" is not so much in the community as it is in ME. Contact with the handicapped residents is healing, transformational. People become "real." Community results from the relationship established among authentic people.
"Elitism is the sickness of us all...Healing takes place at the bottom of the ladder, not at the top."
-Jack H. Bender, author of Disregarded: Transforming the School and Workplace through Deep Respect and Courage
Vulnerable, we become approachable. Community is possible.
Aware of our shadow, we become less judgmental. Community is possible.
The residents of Vanier's community have severe physical and mental handicaps which soon test the souls of "regular" community members who support them. Once anger, jealousy, rivalry and impatience is exposed, it can be acknowledged and dealt with. The "evil" is not so much in the community as it is in ME. Contact with the handicapped residents is healing, transformational. People become "real." Community results from the relationship established among authentic people.
"Elitism is the sickness of us all...Healing takes place at the bottom of the ladder, not at the top."
-Jack H. Bender, author of Disregarded: Transforming the School and Workplace through Deep Respect and Courage
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Ian R. Lynch
Format:Paperback
After nearly 20 years, Vanier's words still ring true. His insights are at the heart of the gospel. One of his more powerful observations is that Jesus came to bring good news to the poor, not those who serve the poor. We all need to attend the "university of the poor" to learn of our own brokenness and so enter into community.
This book takes only couple of hours to read, but will take years of living to digest.
This book takes only couple of hours to read, but will take years of living to digest.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Joseph Inger
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
In this short read, Jean Vanier touches on some of the primary heart issues with which people struggle. He is talking directly from his experience with his wisdom from the experience of working with and loving disabled people. One theme is give your life to others and see how God has designed us to live in community. The thoughts I had while reading is how to diagnose my own heart and my motives. Once my own agenda is stripped away and my actions are solely for others, which is rare, then I can see my own heart and superficial humility - and then there is an opportunity for real growth. This should be on the bookshelf of anyone seeking to serve others. There are many nuggets of wisdom in his words regardless of the people in your life: children, parents, coworkers, neighbors, etc.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simple but profound
A great take on Vanier's experience of Christian community shared with those who are broken in the eyes of the world.
Published 28 days ago by Dana
5.0 out of 5 stars
His Experiences Cause Reader to know he knows what he talking about
Short book that will eventually become a classic to any group or individual that chooses to devote their life to service to others that are need spiritually, psychologyly or... Read more
Published 2 months ago by David E. Engle
5.0 out of 5 stars
Blown Away
This book will blow your doors off if you let it.
The book is so simple - two lectures delivered just around 1990. Read more
The book is so simple - two lectures delivered just around 1990. Read more
Published on December 18, 2010 by S. J. Young
5.0 out of 5 stars
BRIEF YET DEEP LESSON IN COMPASSION, COMMUNITY, AND LOVING...
This deceptively brief yet measurelessly profound collection of talks given by the late, great Jean Vanier as part of the Harvard Divinity School's Wit Lecture series, after... Read more
Published on July 2, 2007 by C. Scanlon
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