Henri Nouwen understood the spiritual life as a journey of faith and transformation that is deepened by accountability, community and relationships. And the practice of discernment is about how to read the ‘signs of the times’ in daily life in order to know what to do next. Nouwen believes our calling and mission may be made clear through the people we meet on our path, the circumstances that each day brings, the books and sacred texts we read and meditate on, and through current events. Discernment seeks the will of God, requiring the disciplines of contemplative prayer, compassionate action and theological reflection. Discernment has been compiled by two of Nouwen’s longtime students, Michael Christensen and Rebecca Laird, from coursework, journals and unpublished writings.
Editorial Reviews
Review
”For most people, the very word discernment implies something heady, private and maybe even elitist. Henri Nouwen, as always, makes seemingly complex things personal, practical, intelligent and very readable – all at the same time! This is a rich and helpful book.” –Richard Rohr, OFM, author of Falling Upward
”An absolute gift to mind and soul.” –Phyllis Tickle, author of Emergence Christianity
”Nouwen artfully explores how nature, our neighbours and our own hearts reveal God’s active presence all around us. Life-giving and beautiful, yet practical and wise, he invites all those who doubt, feel lost, wounded or broken to discover the beating heart of love at the centre of the world.” –Diana Butler Bass, author of Christianity After Religion
From the Back Cover
Henri Nouwen, the world-renowned spiritual guide and counselor, understood the spiritual life as a journey of faith and transformation that is deepened by accountability, community, and relationships. Though Henri counseled many people during his lifetime, his principles of discernment were never collected into a single volume. Now, in association with the Nouwen Legacy Trust, Michael Christensen’one of Nouwen’s longtime students’and Rebecca Laird have taken his coursework, journals, and unpublished writings and created the definitive resource on spiritual discernment.
This is the third book of a series. Spiritual Direction explores our core questions about the spiritual life as Nouwen acts as spiritual director, opening the door to personal transformation. In Spiritual Formation, Nouwen offers guidance on spiritual development’as dynamic movements from fear to love. In this final book, Discernment, Nouwen teaches us how to read the “signs of the times” in daily life in order to make decisions that are ultimately guided by God. Nouwen emphasizes listening to the Word of God’in our hearts, in the Bible, in the community of faith, and in the voice of the poor. Nouwen’s thoughts on discernment begin to answer one of the biggest questions we face: what should I do with my life?
About the Author
Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) is the author of With Open Hands, Reaching Out, The Wounded Healer, Making All Things New, and many other bestsellers. He was the senior pastor of L’Arche Daybreak in Toronto, Canada, a community where mentally disabled men and women and their assistants create a home together.
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