Turn My Mourning Into Dancing [Hardcover]

Henri Nouwen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 17, 2001

In times of suffering, simplistic answers ring empty and hollow. But Henri Nouwen, beloved spiritual thinker and author, offers real comfort in the concrete truth of God's constancy. Nouwen suggests that by greeting life's pains with something other than despair, we can find surprising joy in our suffering. He suggests that the way through suffering is not in denial, but rather in living fully in the midst of the trials life brings our way.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Henri Nouwen, author, lecturer, and spiritual mentor to many, was born in the Netherlands in 1932. An ordained priest and gifted teacher, he taught at several universities worldwide, including Notre Dame, Harvard, and Yale. His prolific writing career produced such notable works as With Open Hands, The Return of the Prodigal Son, and The Inner Voice of Love. In the mid 1980s, he became involved with L'Arche, an international movement of communities that welcome people with disabilities, and he was pastor for the L'Arche Community of Daybreak in Toronto, Canada, from 1986 to 1995. After his death in 1996, his brother Laurent founded the Henri Nouwen Stichting, a foundation to further Nouwen's works particularly in the Netherlands, to support the Henri Nouwen Literary Centre in Canada, and to assist L'Arche. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 140 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson; 1St Edition edition (October 17, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849917115
• ISBN-13: 978-0849917110
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #425,852 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Henri Nouwen was born in Holland in 1932 and ordained a Catholic priest in 1957. He obtained his doctorandus in psychology from Nijmegen University in the Netherlands and taught at Notre Dame, Yale, and Harvard. He experienced the monastic life with Trappist monks at the Abbey of the Genesee, lived among the poor in Latin America with the Maryknoll missioners, and was interested and active in numerous causes related to social justice. After a lifetime of seeking, Henri Nouwen finally found his home in Canada, as pastor of L'Arche Daybreak - where people with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers live together in community.

Henri Nouwen wrote over 40 books on spirituality and the spiritual life that have sold millions of copies and been translated into dozens of languages. His vision of spirituality was broad and inclusive, and his compassion embraced all of humankind.

He died in 1996. His work and his spirit live on.

Henri Nouwen pronounced his name "Henry Now-en." For more information on his life and work, please visit www.henrinouwen.org .

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than just turning your Mourning into Dancing..., October 10, 2001

By 

"kswess" (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Turn My Mourning Into Dancing (Hardcover)

Timothy Jones did an excellent job compiling and editing this Henri Nouwen book. I highly recommend this book to everyone - whether you're going through a time of mourning or helping a friend through a difficult time. This is a book that helps one recognize a deeper relationship with God - making Him known even in the most difficult times when you think He is nowhere near. Nouwen is on point when he says not to bury yourself in busy-ness. You don't learn anything from this time of mourning if you don't experience it. Don't dwell in it - but learn from it. I'm a Stephen Leader at my church and will be recommending it to all of our Stephen Ministers to help them in their caring relationships.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mourning our losses and learning to live in spite of them., July 13, 2007

By 

K. Beauchamp (NE) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Turn My Mourning into Dancing (Paperback)

This is an amazing book. I found it to be very validating to my life experience. The best part is that it gives a beautiful and enlightening look at suffering and puts it in perspective in the larger picture. Living in a culture that doesn't like to acknowledge suffering (or that considers it to be 'I didn't get the color of BMW that I wanted') this helps one process his/her deeply felt grief. I highly recommend it.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read this book and give it away, November 30, 2009

By 

James R Locklear - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Turn My Mourning into Dancing (Paperback)

This is a powerful book for anyone, but it is especially powerful for those of us who are suffering loss or see ourselves in difficult circumstances wondering if God really cares about us. I had been given this book several years ago by a family member, but had never read it. Recently, while my wife and I were doing some home library reshuffling, I came across it and read a few pages and was gripped by it's authenticity and clarity. The idea of inviting Jesus into my wounds and suffering so that He could heal me was especially liberating. And it became abundantly clear that God did, indeed, care about those of us who suffer loss when I gave away my copy of Nouwen's book to a friend who had suffered a recent loss through a miscarriage.

Shortly thereafter, I ordered four copies from Amazon. One copy to finish reading the book for myself and three others to share. In just over a month, all of my copies are gone! And the response from friends and family who have received copies of Turn My Mourning into Dancing has been equally amazing. Through this book, you will see a framework for a biblical doctrine of suffering, you will see that suffering is not about judgement, but is about the Father's great love for us. Nouwen shares the secrets that were life-changing to him has he sojourned here on earth. Every page reveals another layer of God's methodical work of grace and mercy in our lives as He conforms us into the image of His Son Jesus.

I have given to friends at funerals, at their homes, and sent it through the mail. So, my suggestion stands, read this book and give it away. Mourn with Jesus over your sin and watch as he heals your woundedness.