Just as You Are: Opening Your Life to the Infinite Love of God [Hardcover]

Paul Coutinho SJ (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2009

Stop spinning your spiritual hamster wheel.
Start living in the limitless love of God.

 

Many of us go through life thinking and acting as though we can somehow, in some way, earn God’s love and favor. If only we do this, or that, or both, or more, God just might offer us at least a small bit of Divine approval or acceptance. Eventually realizing the impossibility of “getting right” with God through our own efforts, and tired of futilely going ’round and ’round in spiritual circles, we may even be inclined to permanently turn away from the Divine.
 In Just as You Are, Paul Coutinho, SJ, helps us move forward in the confidence that God already loves us and simply asks that we embrace this amazing love and live in it on a daily basis. A native of India, Fr. Coutinho combines Eastern sensibilities with Ignatian principles and practices to show us how to open our lives—now and always—to the infinite, unfathomable love of God. Filled with thought-provoking stories, inspiring anecdotes, and memorable metaphors, Just as You Are makes clear that experiencing the joy and freedom of the Divine journey is the only “work” we need to do.

 

Being in love with the Divine is God’s gift that is always available to anyone who is looking for it.

 

We have all had a taste of Divine love and our spirits hunger for more. But then other voices muffle the unconditional gift of Divine love—voices that speak of fear, guilt, anxiety, and unworthiness.
 Falling in love with God begins with an infatuation that penetrates those negative voices, and we respond to this either by being more and more attracted to the Divine or we are repulsed by the experience. We come closer or we fight to get away. In either case our focus is the Divine energy that is drawing us to itself.
 The Divine seducer never gives up but continues to draw us in many different ways to a deeper union and communion with the Ultimate. But when all is said and done, the falling in love will be up to you.
 So if you really have the will to experience life as one who is in love with the Divine, it will happen. If you want it, you’ll find it. In fact, love will find you.

Are you willing?
Are you ready?
 

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

In today’s world, we have been conditioned to believe that nothing is without conditions: there are limits to how much we are willing to do for others; there are limits to what we are willing to forgive; there are limits to our love even for those closest to us. Given this mindset, it should come as no surprise that so many of us struggle with the idea that God loves us unconditionally. Voices of fear, guilt, anxiety, and unworthiness lead us to the belief that surely there must be times when God withholds his love from us. Thoughts such as this can actually cause us to turn away permanently from the Divine.

In Just as You Are, Paul Coutinho, SJ, helps us move forward in the knowledge that God does love us at all times and simply asks us to embrace that amazing love and live in it on a daily basis. A native of India, Fr. Coutinho combines Eastern sensibilities with Ignatian principles and practices to show us how we can stop spinning our spiritual hamster wheel—futilely acting as though we can somehow earn God’s favor and love—and instead move forward in the unfathomable love of God already present in our lives. Just as You Are—filled with great storytelling, inspiring anecdotes, and memorable metaphors—makes clear that all roads start with God’s love rather than lead to God’s love. On the road, we simply need to experience the joy and freedom of the journey.

 

From the Inside Flap

Being in love with the Divine is God’s gift that is always available to anyone who is looking for it.
We have all had a taste of Divine love and our spirits hunger for more. But then other voices muffle the unconditional gift of Divine love—voices that speak of fear, guilt, anxiety, and unworthiness.
    Falling in love with God begins with an infatuation that penetrates those negative voices, and we respond to this either by being more and more attracted to the Divine or we are repulsed by the experience. We come closer or we fight to get away. In either case our focus is the Divine energy that is drawing us to itself.
    The Divine seducer never gives up but continues to draw us in many different ways to a deeper union and communion with the Ultimate. But when all is said and done, the falling in love will be up to you.
    So if you really have the will to experience life as one who is in love with the Divine, it will happen. If you want it, you’ll find it. In fact, love will find you.
 

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Loyola Press; First Edition, First edition (March 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082942721X
• ISBN-13: 978-0829427219
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #184,265 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Fr. Paul Coutinho, SJ, is an internationally recognized Ignatian scholar, author, and speaker who brings an Eastern flavor to Western spirituality. A native of India and a Jesuit from the Bombay province, he frequently leads retreats, gives spiritual direction, and trains people to lead the Spiritual Exercises. Coutinho currently creates and runs programs in Ignatian identity and mission for Saint Louis University's Mission and Ministry office, he is the editor of Ignis--the South Asian Ignatian spirituality journal--and also shares his gifts as the director of Ignatian Spirituality Programs for South Asia. He resides in St. Louis and divides his time between India and the United States.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just as You Are, March 5, 2009

By 

Joyce (St. Louis, MO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Just as You Are: Opening Your Life to the Infinite Love of God (Hardcover)

Fr. Paul Coutinho S.J., with his book "Just as You Are", has added a whole new dimension to my life. Being a "cradle Catholic" and what one may consider "faith filled" for over 70 years, I was surprised and delighted after reading this book. I can't remember ever doubting God's love for me, but now I see and feel His love in an entirely new light. God is no longer just "out there" for me. I am actually experiencing Him as my "beloved". In sharing his personal experiences and telling inspiring stories enhanced by his Eastern heritage, Fr. Paul Coutinho has stimulated a new and glorious union with the Divine. I'm in love!!!!! I have found new romance in my life. Personalising God's love for me, allowing Him to seduce me and finding God in unlikely places has added a youthful excitement to each and every day. Suddenly the whole world looks brighter. Each person I encounter is more precious and more beautiful. With Fr. Paul Coutinho's genius and incredible ability to verbalize the outppouring of the Holy Spirit, I have found a thrilling liberation, deep appreciation, admiration and pure joy in each new day.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Confidence, March 3, 2009

By 

Julie (MO, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Just as You Are: Opening Your Life to the Infinite Love of God (Hardcover)

Reading this book left me feeling ever more aware of God's infinite love for me. Fr. Paul speaks of God's love with tremendous insight and compassion. It it very personal. I feel understood and accepted in my struggles as I journey on my spiritual path. I have an increased sense of confidence that my romance with God will allow me to live life more fully as a Divine heir.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book for your spiritual library, March 27, 2009

By 

Agnes Murphy - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Just as You Are: Opening Your Life to the Infinite Love of God (Hardcover)

I have Paul Coutinho's book "How Big is Your God" as well as "Just as You Are". These books are wonderful for meditation time as well as being informational. Paul shares his spiritual journey with us but he does not try to convert us to his point of view. His eastern approach is refreshing and has put me in touch with a loving Creator. I give this book to many people but I do not give away my personal copy.