Nouwen offers counsel on moving from loneliness to solitude, from hostility to hospitality, and from illusion to prayer. In particular, his discussion of solitude was particularly helpful. For Nouwen, solitude is foundational to the other two forms of outreach because it provides a basis in the self from which to give to others. Nouwen takes solitude, usually not something that sounds very exciting, and presents it as a creative opportunity, a space within that can be offered to God and to others. Nouwen's discussion of hospitality builds on his discussion of solitude; he envisions hospitality as making a place for the other in which they can discover themselves and grow. Nouwen encourages the host to remember that the guest always brings some kind of gift with them, whether that gift is visible or not, and he exhorts to the host to recognize and affirm the gift the guest brings. Nouwen sees hospitality as a constructive dialogue in which the host offers a space for the guest to discover themselves and grow through dialogue and mutual sharing. Finally, Nouwen's discussion of prayer is thought-provoking and challenging. He presents prayer as a means of battling illusions---most of all the illusion that we will never die and that we are in control of our lives. At times Nouwen can be a bit abstract, but the concepts he offers are simple and challenge the reader to discover their own applications.

The two star rating has nothing to do with the book or Nouwen and everything to do with me. Many people hold Nouwen and his books in very high regard - and I'm sure that's fair and accurate. However, this was a challenging read for me. There were excellent points made but I struggled to stay focused. It's just not a topic that grabs me.

I will read this book over and over again.

I have recently discovered the wonderful writings of Henri J. M. Nouwen. In Reaching Out, Nouwen presents his thoughts on what it means to live a Christian life: reaching out to our innermost self, to our fellow human beings, and to our God. I am looking forward to studying this book in greater detail.

Someone once quipped that Henri Nouwen was such a gifted writer that anything he scribbled out even on a discarded bus ticket deserved to get published! Having read many of his published works, I would nod heartily at that hyperbolic statement! There is in Nouwen's simple and beautiful literary expressions a profound grasp of life in the Spirit with all its odd tensions and paradoxes. This shows in the schema he uses in this book which sees the progress in the spiritual life not so much as a ladder one climbs unabated to the end goal (visio dei!) that traditional authors deigned to employ. It is more like the polarity that one shuttles back and forth between the Spirit and the flesh (in the language of St Paul). But here he creatively uses the idea of "Reaching Out'- to self, to others and to God. In these three movements of outreach, one finds himself experiencing the deepening of the life of faith when he moves from the false self of loneliness to the true self of solitude, from hostility towards others to hospitality and finally from the illusions of hubris to prayer.

These concepts are not new but Nouwen has a refreshing way of weaving together the ancient Scriptures and the time-tested wisdom of the spiritual fathers and mothers with the modern struggles of contemporary men as well as his own existential issues. He writes in such a way that those with eyes to see could recognize the images and stirrings of their own hearts in them and perhaps discover for themselves the way out of the maze one often finds himself. I particularly love the way he retells the ancient stories of the Zen masters as well as those of the Eastern Orthodox teachers. No one tells them like he does within the larger reflections of what it means to live the spiritual life ie. 'to live a life in the Spirit of Jesus Christ'. In this he shows his ecumenical spirit and his clear discernment of truths within the diversity of faith traditions, while remaining deeply anchored in the gospel.

One small complaint that some readers make of Nouwen is that his prolific writings often lack the systematic character that would have helped believers construct a more comprehensive and well thought out understanding of what it means to follow Jesus. I think this critique has some merits because many of his writings are done in the forms of letters (You are my Beloved), spiritual journals (Genesee Diary), case studies (Wounded Healer) and biographical reflections (Adam) which carry a plethora of gems here and there, which some feel need to be pieced together into a beautiful chalice! Then again, perhaps these genres are a more accurate reflection of life itself with all its messy bits and mysteries that do not yield to neat systematization. Having said that, if anyone must have a book that sets out the thoughts of Nouwen in his systematic best, this might well be the book he is looking for as Nouwen answers in three movements the book's central thesis: 'What does it mean to live in the Spirit of Jesus Christ?'. Savour this book slowly and meditatively and be nourished by this deep well of inspiring truths that move the heart as well as the mind.

This book appeals to every single human on this planet, even if they do not realize it. Nouwen's 3 Movements of spirituality might turn some people off, especially the final movement from illusions to prayer. But they would be missing out on dramatic insights into the struggles that haunt each of us daily.

The first movement, from loneliness to solitude, teaches us to be at peace in silence and stillness. That seems especially difficult in today's hyper-connected, over-scheduled world (he wrote unironically from his smartphone). We're anxious with FOMO, we think finding a partner will cure our loneliness, and we retreat to our safe spaces but wonder why no one asks us deep, meaningful questions. (When's the last time you answered "How are you?" honestly?)

The second movement, from hostility to hospitality, pulls no punches. The headlines of today would seem to make it obvious who the inhospitable people in our society are, but Nouwen doesn't settle for the obvious answers only. While Jesus certainly taught us to love our neighbors, and the Apostle Paul exhorts Christians to care for the orphans and widows, Nouwen's deliberate examination into hospitality will require most readers to examine the inhospitable conditions of their own hearts.

Finally, the third movement is the shortest (in terms of text) but easily the most powerful. Only by embracing a peaceful solitude and creating a hospitable place for oneself and others can a person fully understand and appreciate what a relationship with the Creator feels like. We must shed the illusions of the flesh and embrace the realities of our Spiritual calling. Prayer--constant and communal--is the gateway to a relationship with the Father of all things.

Nouwen's book isn't perfect, and at times it's easy to be impressed by the flow of the words and not really pick up on what he's communicating. But his message is on point, especially for people who continue to look for answers and come up short. We are meant for so much more, and this book establishes a wonderful groundwork for finding one's purpose in this life.

Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life, Henri J.M. Nouwen

First, from loneliness to solitude, focuses on the spiritual life as it relates to the experience of our own selves.
Second, from hostility to hospitality, deals with our spiritual life as a life for others.
Third, from illusion to prayer, offers penetrating thoughts on the most mysterious relationship of all- our relationship to God.

Insightful and inspirational.

“Hospitality means primarily the creation of free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy. Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place. It is not to bring men and women over to our side, but to offer freedom not disturbed by dividing lines.”

“The great spiritual task facing me is to so fully trust that I belong to God that I can be free in the world--free to speak even when my words are not received; free to act even when my actions are criticized, ridiculed, or considered useless.... I am convinced that I will truly be able to love the world when I fully believe that I am loved far beyond its boundaries.”

“It is tragic to see how the religious sentiment of the West has become so individualized that concepts such as "a contrite heart," have come to refer only to the personal experiences of guilt and willingness to do penance for it. The awareness of our impurity in thoughts, words and deeds can indeed put us in a remorseful mood and create in us the hope for a forgiving gesture. But if the catastrophic events of our days, the wars, mass murders, unbridled violence, crowded prisons, torture chambers, the hunger and the illness of millions of people and he unnameable misery of a major part of the human race is safely kept outside the solitude of our hearts, our contrition remains no more than a pious emotion. ”

“a spiritual life without prayer is like the gospel without Christ.”

“By prayer, community is created as well as expressed.”

“It is my growing conviction that my life belongs to others just as much as it belongs to myself and that what is experienced as most unique often proves to be most solidly embedded in the common condition of being human.”

“In the midst of a turbulent, often chaotic, life we are called to reach out, with courageous honesty to our innermost self, with relentless care to our fellow human beings, and with increasing prayer to our God.”

“Just as words lose their power when they are not born out of silence, so openness loses its meaning when there is no ability to be closed.”

“Those who do not run away from our pains but touch them with compassion bring healing and new strength. The paradox indeed is that the beginning of healing is in the solidarity with the pain."
………………….

“But among the many great spiritual men and women in history we may find a few, or maybe just one or two, who speak the language of our heart and give us courage. These are our guides.”

I thank God to have found a new guide in Henri Nouwen that reaches out to my soul in poetry and pragmatics. This is a book that I will read, habitually.

It's interesting that the author begins with what he has learned and ends with his story and testimony which brought him to this understanding. His brush with death made his life and his purpose clear to him. But in the end he loses much of this peace and clarity when he regains his health and resumes the demands of his daily life.

What he learns has implications for parents, teachers, doctors, clergy, and any care givers. Though I am a parent I read this book through the lens of a teacher.

The book begins by challenging us to recognize our own loneliness so we can move from there to solitude. To reach out to others and connect we must be centered ourselves and reach out from this inner peace.

Next we move out from hostility to hospitality. As a teacher, I can make a space for learning but I can not force anyone to partake of it.

Finally, we go from illusion to prayer. We learn what is true prayer and that we must pray from the heart.

As a teacher of urban students I appreciate his perspective that I have heard before but for me it makes more sense in Catholic-ease. The challenge is for teachers to create this inviting space that allows students to inquire and explore but still teach with our own convictions. We can vocalize our perspective while allowing students to develop their own way. We must reveal to students that they have something to offer.

With my struggles with classroom management a line that stands out says, "Nobody will show his most precious talent to those whom he fears."

This is another great book by Nouwen which discusses three major thoughts:
- Reaching out to our innermost self: Movement from loneliness to solitude
- Reaching out to our fellow man: movement from hostility to hospitality
- Reaching out to our God: movement from illusion to prayer

This summary does not do the book justice.

This is my second Nouwen book and it confirmed for me that I love his writing and his approach to the Christian life. He walks through the transformation from loneliness to solitude, hostility to hospitality, and illusion to prayer. He writes with a love and humility that I found to be inviting, restorative, and inspiring. Can’t wait to read more of his work.

Full of Life

I think this book can help to live with Life in the world where sadness is common! It is full of life!