Customer Reviews

Spiritual Direction: Wisdom for the Long Walk of Faith

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This is one of the best books on spiritual direction that I have read -- and I have read many. It is clear, focused, practical, and thoughtful. It is good as a starting point for one wanting to learn about spiritual direction -- and it is good as a resource to re-focus one's spiritual journey. Each chapter contains both Henri Nouwen's wonderful insights and "spiritual exercises" for going deeper. The editors have done a masterful job of preparing Henri Nouwen's writings for publication. I recommend this book very highly.

Henri Nouwen was a great promoter of the practice of spiritual direction, but he never wrote a book on the subject. This is surprising since he wrote a wide array of books on just about any given subject in the Christian spiritual quest. He did write a number of articles on the subject, and there are a number of unpublished article and writings pertaining to the subject. Two close friends and associates of Nouwen, Michael Christensen and Rebecca Laird have compiled these writings into a book that is entirely Nouwen's writings (without commentary) and could just be the book Nouwen would have written if he had approached the subject.

While the book is meant to be an introduction to spiritual direction for a person interested in the subject, Nouwen's rich writing and his ability to speak to the heart will make this book a treasure for any reader. The book covers the basic topics that any book on spiritual direction should include. It begins with life's basic questions, looking at direction in life, the quest for God, and prayer. While the book is ecumenical in approach, Nouwen is indebted his roots in the Roman Catholic tradition. He does not mention different spiritual traditions specifically, e.g. Jesuit, Trappist, or Carmelite, but readers familiar with these approaches will see glimpses of each as well as Nouwen's unique ability to include the longing and goodness of humanity in general as a way of approaching God.

For most of Christian history, spiritual direction was practiced almost exclusively by clergy and religious, and more often than not, the spiritual director was the person's confessor. It was not the domain of most members of the laity and from what I understand, it was all but non-existent in Christian traditions outside of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox traditions. Nouwen was one of the early proponents of making this practice available to anyone who desires it. The book will not only be enriching for readers but will be an important resource in years to come.

Even though I have not entirely finished this book--it is designed to be a slow read--Henri Nouwen is a strong, gentle hand leading the way. His questions to the reader provide an opening into one's own soul and allows it to grow. He is making my "Long Walk" a most pleasant one and I am so excited and anxious to see where my walk will take me.

This book is superb for anyone looking to deepen his or her relationship with God!

P.S. Read From acknowledgements all the way through or you may miss some insight.

One of the most interesting things Nouwen affirms is that you are not going crazy if you feel driven to seek a closer relationship with God through the Holy Spirit. That was His intention. It is a bit scary to have it also affirmed that the unnerving intensity may be a lifelong thing here on earth. I especially like the reference he makes regarding present despair. Nouwen states to not think that the experience you may be struggling through is the last experience and encourages that we focus on the place "on the other side" of this experience where we will be held in love.

It has since become the prime source of inspiration for my meditation. Although written by two of Henri's disciples, the thoughts and words are his. Beautiful writing, deep thought-inspiring ideas make this book truly special. I have given it as a gift to friends who are dear to me.

I have always liked Henri Nouwen's writings because they are real and also that he is not afraid to talk about his own personal struggles whether life or faith. The book was well presented and gives good insights to those who like myself have directees for spiritual direction. It is also good for my personally being in spiritual direction myself. A good book to use and refer to at times and a good addition to anyones's spiritual library.

This compilation is an informative and effective presentation of the discipline of spiritual direction. If one was interested in spiritual direction and wanted to find out what it was all about and its potential, this would be a great place to start.

Spiritual Direction: Wisdom for the Long Walk of Faith is a compilation of the writings and lectures of Henri Nouwen, the late professor, spiritual director, and member of Daybreak L'Arche community in Toronto. Nouwen is renowned in the literature of spiritual formation, and his writing career was prolific, but none of his works speak directly to spiritual direction. Michael Christensen and Rebecca Laird set out to remedy this hole in the Nouwen bibliography by pulling together articles, recording, notes, and unpublished writings that speak to this topic.

The result is a most helpful resource to those who want to grow in the Christian faith and a deeper relationship with God. The work is divided into three primary sections that deal with spiritual formation as disciplines of the heart, the Word, and the community. All three were essential in Nouwen's approach to spiritual formation. Each chapter begins with a parable, used by Nouwen, to provoke thought and discussion, but also to illuminate some of the mysterious steps in growing spiritually. What follows is a discussion of the discipline and then a practical guide to allowing this discipline to grow in our lives.

The book has a conversational quality that draws the reader in to the mind and heart of Henri Nouwen. It is as if he is answering the questions that we have always wanted to ask of someone this wise and steeped in his pursuit of God, or as Nouwen himself puts it, in allowing God to find him.

Nouwen strikes again. This time it is two of his disciples that have woven together some of Nouwen's writings, lecture notes and other spirit filled tidbits to help the reader draw closer to Jesus. Nine of us read the book this past Lent as a Men's book group and walked away better for it! The book is a good group read with questions and suggested exercises in each of the 9 chapters. Highly recommended if you are hungry to know God.