The Way of the Heart

Rating:
Summary: Beautifully written
Review: Hernri J.M. Nouwen writes with a deep understanding of the Desert Fathers and thier fundamental beliefs. He illustrates how to use thier knowledge of solitude, silence and prayer in simple ways to apply to our daily lives. It is in itself a great comfort to read. For those who are trobled, in any kind of situation, the practices that he describes offers the light of hope.

Rating:
Summary: Beautifully written
Review: Hernri J.M. Nouwen writes with a deep understanding of the Desert Fathers and thier fundamental beliefs. He illustrates how to use thier knowledge of solitude, silence and prayer in simple ways to apply to our daily lives. It is in itself a great comfort to read. For those who are trobled, in any kind of situation, the practices that he describes offers the light of hope.

Rating:
Summary: A suitable life philosophy
Review: It's worth reading every year ... Nouwen's urging us to pursue Solitude, Silence and Prayer directs us, I believe, to the very heart of God, and it serves as a stark contrast to the busyness and loud ambition of both the secular world and the Christian world. You could read it in an hour -- take a week, digest it and see if it doesn't change your life.

Rating:
Summary: Simple, Direct and extremely helpful
Review: Modern Christians can benefit from this insightful little book as the author describes three essential disciplines for spiritual growth. The very word "discipline" will turn many people away from this book and the message it delivers and this is unfortunate. Rather than becoming a burden, the excercise of solitude, silence, and prayer are actually life living and refreshing. When we excercise these disciplines we enter into a new and intimate walk with God that transforms both our daily walk and our witness to others. From our excercise of these arts God is able to work in our souls to purify and soften us and to bring us to true compassion and wisdom. I found that to get the most value from it I had to read it in small segments and then meditate on it for a few days. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: The pathway to God
Review: Modern Christians can benefit from this insightful little book as the author describes three essential disciplines for spiritual growth. The very word "discipline" will turn many people away from this book and the message it delivers and this is unfortunate. Rather than becoming a burden, the excercise of solitude, silence, and prayer are actually life living and refreshing. When we excercise these disciplines we enter into a new and intimate walk with God that transforms both our daily walk and our witness to others. From our excercise of these arts God is able to work in our souls to purify and soften us and to bring us to true compassion and wisdom. I found that to get the most value from it I had to read it in small segments and then meditate on it for a few days. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I've ever read
Review: Nine years ago when I was still a teenager, I obtained this book from my late Parish Priest in Yola, Nigeria. Hardly had I started reading it when I realised it was speaking to me as a person. Nouwen's introduction to the life of the Desert Fathers and the role Silence, Solitude and Prayer can have on our lives is thought provoking. This book has affected me in the most positive of ways. It is for everyone, for those busy with work, for those who go to Church, for those who frequent the bars...evreyone. This book would introduce a peaceful and calm spirituality to you - I highly recommend it and would not hesistate to give it a 10 star!!

Rating:
Summary: Peace
Review: Nouwen is one of the best authors of our time. Obscure, in comparison to many of our writers in the Christian pop culture. He far surpasses all of them. An excellent guide to quieting the noise the roars in our souls and finding peace amidst the busy world in which we live. Nouwen states that "Our society is not a community radiant with the love of Christ, but a dangerous network of dominations and manipulation in which we can easily get entangled and lose our soul." He also states that "solitude that at first had required physical isolation had now become a quality of his heart, an inner disposition that could no longer be disturbed by those who needed his guidance." We must reach a state of equilibrium internally before we can reach balance in any area in life. The answer to tranquility is silence in the soul.

Rating:
Summary: Deeply Moving
Review: This book was my first introduction to Nouwen, and if his other books are anything like this one, I believe that I've stumbled on one of the greatest Christian writers ever. This little paperback contains some of the greatest, most basic truths Christianity, silence, solitude, and prayer, and reminds us that in the practice of these simple truths that we can find the true essence of God and of our relationship to Him. Through the example of the desert fathers, Nouwen reminds us that secrets to a more fulfilling life are found not in the number of books we read, the number of extracurricular activities we participate in, or even in the number of church services we attend. True peace with God can be found in the simplicity of quietness, silent devotion, and the willingness to be still and listen for God to speak. For those who are caught up in lives that never slow down or never take time to stop and rest, this book is for them. For those who are looking for a simpler, more genuine way to practice their faith, this book is for them. And, for those who are in the midst of the valley or whose journey of faith is at a dead end, this book will provide refreshing insight and will hopefully lead the way back to fellowship with the Almighty. Wherever you are in your walk with God, this book will surely become one of your all-time favorites as it has mine.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I've ever read
Review: This book was my first introduction to Nouwen, and if his other books are anything like this one, I believe that I've stumbled on one of the greatest Christian writers ever. This little paperback contains some of the greatest, most basic truths Christianity, silence, solitude, and prayer, and reminds us that in the practice of these simple truths that we can find the true essence of God and of our relationship to Him. Through the example of the desert fathers, Nouwen reminds us that secrets to a more fulfilling life are found not in the number of books we read, the number of extracurricular activities we participate in, or even in the number of church services we attend. True peace with God can be found in the simplicity of quietness, silent devotion, and the willingness to be still and listen for God to speak. For those who are caught up in lives that never slow down or never take time to stop and rest, this book is for them. For those who are looking for a simpler, more genuine way to practice their faith, this book is for them. And, for those who are in the midst of the valley or whose journey of faith is at a dead end, this book will provide refreshing insight and will hopefully lead the way back to fellowship with the Almighty. Wherever you are in your walk with God, this book will surely become one of your all-time favorites as it has mine.