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Henri J. M. Nouwen
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The Way of the Heart: The Spirituality of the Desert Fathers and Mothers Kindle Edition

by Henri J. M. Nouwen (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 814 ratings
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The modern classic that interweaves the solitude, silence, and prayer of the fourth- and fifth-century Egyptian Desert Fathers and Mothers with our contemporary search for an authentic spirituality

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  1. Print length
    43 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    HarperOne
  5. Publication date
    July 12, 2016
  6. File size
    386 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Clear, precise, biblically founded guidance...Skillfully blends knowledge of psychological growth with the great Christian traditions.” — Commonweal

“Brings desert spirituality to bear upon the contemporary scene. ... Hauntingly relevant for us today.” — Christianity Today

“Gemlike in its clarity.” — The Christian Century

“Inspiring, to the point, and eminently practical in his advice about living spiritually in the world of today.” — Spiritual Book News

“On the long road it’s good to have Nouwen and his divining rod. Deftly he bends toward the drop of spiritual wisdom caked in the most ordinary things.” — Helen Prejean, C.S.J., author of Dead Man Walking

From the Back Cover

The modern classic that interweaves the solitude, silence, and prayer of the fourth- and fifth-century Egyptian Desert Fathers and Mothers with our contemporary search for an authentic spirituality

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01GCBUP64
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperOne; Reprint edition (July 12, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 12, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 386 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 43 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 814 ratings

About the author

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Henri J. M. Nouwen

Henri J. M. Nouwen

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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

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
814 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Edward L. Cooper
5.0 out of 5 stars Concise, transformative
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2024
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Incredibly helpful and hope-filled when connecting the lives of the Desert Fathers & Mothers to our “wordy world.” Strongly recommend.
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Becky Wells
5.0 out of 5 stars Contemplative Meditation
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2021
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While still being deeply spiritual and full of high truths, The Way of the Heart is not beyond simple understanding. In fact, its encouragement is found in the simplicity of the way it is proposing. That is not to say that author, Henri Nouwen, claims it is easy to find the way of the heart, as taught by the Desert Fathers. In fact, he explains that it is not easy, but still remains simple. By yearning for solitude, silence and ceaseless prayer, we find our hearts becoming one with God's heart. Nouwen helps the reader understand how those often overly pious and esoteric concepts can become a reality in a crowded, noisy, busy world. For anyone seeking simple peace which will lead to compassionate effectiveness in our witness to the lost, I recommend this short, powerful book.
10 people found this helpful
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JR Woodward
5.0 out of 5 stars Three Practices that Bring Life
Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2005
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In this book Henri Nouwen takes us through three often-neglected disciplines in our noisy, busy, fast-paced culture. He not only encourages us to take some time to turn from the noise to silence, from the busyness to solitude, and from running fast to slowing down to pray; but he shows us how.

When it comes to solitude, Henri defines it beautifully: "Solitude is the place of purification and transformation, the place of the great struggle and the great encounter..." He talks about how this is a time when we stand alone before a holy God, bare-naked. That is the struggle, to come to God honestly. To encounter this wholly other God who is wholly other in his holiness, grace and love. And as we accept his love and grace, we can boldly come before him and stand in his presence naked and unashamed.

Then he goes on to talk about silence. "First, silence makes us pilgrims. Secondly, silence guards the fire within. Thirdly, silence teaches us to speak." We live in a world of words and silence enables us to hear the voice of God, so that we can breath life into those around us by our careful choice of words. He talks about how as ministers we can give time for silence in our counseling, bringing people to Jesus, waiting for the Spirit's direction.

And when it come to prayer, Henri says, "The prayer of the heart opens the eyes of the soul to the truth of ourselves as well as to the truth of God. The prayer of the heart challenges us to hide absolutely nothing."

We all need help in developing these three disciplines: silence, solitude and prayer in our noisy, busy and fast-paced society. Henri reminds us of the importance of these disciplines and gives us some practical help in how to live them out in real life.
27 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Helpful
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2022
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Good reminders. I had read quotes from him in several books and am glad to be reading his books now
2 people found this helpful
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Paul A. Spangler
5.0 out of 5 stars Lessons from the desert fathers
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2024
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This is a great, little book. Nouwen uses examples from the desert fathers and mothers to emphasis solitude, silence and prayer.
One person found this helpful
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Mary
5.0 out of 5 stars nourishment for the heart
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2024
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An invitation to go deep into the heart, to live from and pray from the heart; to learn that it is enough to see the Father.
2 people found this helpful
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W Eperson
5.0 out of 5 stars Henri Nouwen as always does not disappoint
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2023
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Well worth the read and your tune.
His insights into the spiritual disciplines raise the bar, yet bring them into the realm of our lives as actually doable.
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Peter Jalilie
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, deep, and genuinely insightful
Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2023
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Easy read, to the point, and a great picture of what authentic prayer really is and really looks like. His basic points are sure to unlock a deeper pursuit of Christ.
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Anne
5.0 out of 5 stars NEEDED FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS!!!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 18, 2024
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This book has helped me see further the ministry of Jesus.
I has also taught me the heart and unceasing prayer
This is a manual for life.
Absolutely love it.
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Rango !!
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in Canada on October 25, 2020
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I want to share this books ideas with everyone.... We all creat and contribute to too much talking .... sshhh ....
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Lifechanging!!
Reviewed in India on June 5, 2021
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So much of the pursuit of God leads us to things exterior, outward expressions hopefully bringing about change in the interior. This book truly sets you on the narrow path. A must read for any Christian who is willing to pick up his cross , deny himself and follow Jesus!!
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Anthony Cook
3.0 out of 5 stars I haven't read past the first few pages so far
Reviewed in Australia on June 19, 2023
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I'm writing this review because I just bought it and discovered the whole book is less than 40 pages long. $11 AUD is a lot to spend for what is not much more than a pamphlet. But I'll reserve judgement until I've read it through. I've got an Audible credit I can use so I'll take the risk and get the audio version as well and listen to it tonight while I'm on the road (I know, the irony of playing an audiobook that celebrates SILENCE - at least the narrator has a GREAT voice).
One person found this helpful
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nev00
5.0 out of 5 stars prayerful
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 25, 2022
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a lovely book gently written...guides you along the great path of prayer with insights around the modern world and how to avoid some of it's pitfalls.. recommended
One person found this helpful
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