Heartstorming : The Way to a Purposeful Life [Hardcover]

Paul Keenan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 26, 2001

"Heartstorming" is a phrase Father Paul coined - it's a play on the word "brainstorming" but with the twist that you are letting your feelings flow rather than concepts or ideas. He defines it as "the process of listening to one's feelings and bringing them to the forefront of awareness where they can become allies and partners instead of obstacles to achieving inner peace". In this volume, Father Paul takes the reader through the process of coming to inner balance and peace in a way that lasts because it involves the heart with the mind and the soul, as it was designed to be. Once we've learned how to tap into the heart, we will find ourselves fulfilled and realize our purpose. Father Paul identifies three key questions we should ask as we heartstorm: what matters?; what do I believe in? (what does my mind tell me about what I feel?); and what brings me joy and peace? (what are the ideals and inspirations of my soul?) As we pursue these questions, we find ourselves growing in understanding of what matters to us. We begin to discover our passion.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Heartstorming is both a method and a way of living that Keenan (Good News for Bad Days, LJ 5/1/98), a celebrated Catholic priest from the Archdiocese of New York, has devised as a path to lasting inner peace and fulfillment. The simple three-tiered process includes the heart's reaction to an experience, the mind's reflection on the reaction, and the soul's synthesis of the experience, resulting in a new sense of purposefulness. More than a recipe book of techniques, this work facilitates a lifestyle of abundant and joyful living. Part 1 defines the heartstorming process, Part 2 considers 21 instances of practical application, and Part 3 offers a brief summary with applications for everyday life. The nonsectarian approach avoids psychological jargon and academic pretense. Pastoral, accessible, and inclusive, this personally enriching book is recommended for public libraries. John-Leonard Berg, Univ. of Wisconsin, Platteville
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Who knows the complexities of the human heart better than someone who listens for a living? Keenan, a priest and popular radio host, whose warmth and commonsense approach to daily living have earned him a considerable following, here borrows a business technique--brainstorming--to help unlock the healing potential of our emotions. He maintains that by processing feelings about particular situations, telling stories, and tapping into memories, we can better understand ourselves and the world. He recommends simple tools--silence, a pen, a few sheets of paper, and the stories themselves--and anyone confronting life's challenges may find his suggestions helpful. Writing conversationally and almost confessionally, as if he were talking with a close friend, Keenan proves no great thinker, nor does he broach any striking, original ideas. He looks at ordinary situations from a spiritual perspective and shares anecdotes from his own and others' lives to illustrate his points, and many will find the small wisdoms he imparts practical and refreshing. June Sawyers
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill/Contemporary Books (September 26, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809294788
• ISBN-13: 978-0809294787
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,276,518 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm the co-host of "Religion on the Line" (Sundays, WABC Radio, New York, and www.wabcradio.com, 7:00 - 10:00 a.m.) with Rabbi Joseph Potasnik. I'm Director of Radio Ministry for the Archdiocese of New York, and serve as a priest at The Church of Our Lady of Peace in Manhattan. My monthly column, "Spiritual Matters," appears in Catholic New York newspaper. A regular blog and a weekly inspirational column appear on the website of the Archdiocese of New York, www.ny-archdiocese.org. I write a quarterly column, "As You Think," for the website www.soulfulliving.com. A monthly article on spirituality appears at Tom Tortorella's Trinitarian website at community-2.webtv.net/Tortorella/Trinitarian.

Recently, I wrote the Introduction to the forthcoming book "Empire State Catholics" by Father Thomas Shelley.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book with Heart and Soul, November 10, 2001

By 

Publisher "Pingree-Hill Publishing" (Auburn, NH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heartstorming : The Way to a Purposeful Life (Hardcover)

Heartstorming is that wonder of writing - a book that informs as well as entertains. Fr. Keenan has a rare ability to interleave religious and philosophical ideas with anecdotes in a down to earth, easy to read manner. He develops an approach to grappling with life's problems based on listening to your heart and following simple rules to grow emotionally and spiritually. A great book for all who are interested in rising above the fray and fully developing their humanity - and spirituality.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learn to Do More than Just "Feel It in Your Heart!", December 6, 2001

By 

Mike Sivilli (Bayonne, New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heartstorming : The Way to a Purposeful Life (Hardcover)

Relating his own personal feelings to the everyday life that we the readers experience is the foundation on which the approach to Heartstorming is built. Throughout this wonderful book, Father Keenan is not only speaking to each reader individually --- he is listening, using examples from real-life situations. This is a unique spiritual lesson book. Father Keenan employs a different method from his previous two books, as we get a more-focused perception of the man behind the writing. This exceptional personal touch will help strengthen one's mind and soul --- and ultimately one's heart --- on what could otherwise be a lonely and futile search. You'll find yourself somewhere on these pages, and discover your own strengths and weaknesses on a journey toward complete spirituality as you come to an understanding and fulfillment of what it really means to not only "feel it in your heart," but to live it and share it from there.

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartstorming: The Way to a Purposeful Life, May 4, 2008

By 

Thomas R. Tortorella "Thomas R. Tortorella" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Heartstorming : The Way to a Purposeful Life (Hardcover)

Fr. Paul's insight to spirituality is wonderful. You will walk away from this book with a better understanding of how to lead a more peaceful life.