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Art Print Courtesy of AllPosters.com

 

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All human beings are alone. No other person will completely feel like we do, think like we do, act like we do. Each of us is unique, and our aloneness is the other side of our uniqueness. The question is whether we let our aloneness become loneliness or whether we allow it to lead us into solitude. Loneliness is painful; solitude is peaceful. Loneliness makes us cling to others in desperation; solitude allows us to respect others in their uniqueness and create community.

Letting our aloneness grow into solitude and not into loneliness is a lifelong struggle. It requires conscious choices about whom to be with, what to study, how to pray, and when to ask for counsel. But wise choices will help us to find the solitude where our hearts can grow in love.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
1932-1996

 

Dr. Henri Nouwen (1932-1996), born in Holland and ordained there as a Catholic priest,  lived much of his life in the United States and Canada. He taught at Notre Dame, Yale and Harvard. He spent the last decade of his life as a pastor at L'Arche Daybreak, a community for the developmentally disabled located near Toronto. Henri died  during a visit to his home country Holland in 1996 from a heart attack.

 

Henri was also an acclaimed spiritual writer, and is the author of 40 books.

Full Biographical Sketch

 

The Wounded Healer
The Wounded Healer is a hope-filled and profoundly simple book that speaks directly to those men and women who want to be of service in their church or community, but have found the traditional ways often threatening and ineffective. In this book, Henri Nouwen combines creative case studies of ministry with stories from diverse cultures and religious traditions in preparing a new model for ministry. Weaving keen cultural analysis with his psychological and religious insights, Nouwen has come up with a balanced and creative theology of service that begins with the realization of fundamental woundedness in human nature. 

The Way of the Heart
The wisdom of Henri J.M. Nouwen:
SOLITUDE: "In solitude we become compassionate people, deeply aware of our solidarity in brokenness with all of humanity and ready to reach out to anyone in need . . ."
SILENCE: "Silence first makes us pilgrims. Secondly, silence guards the fire within. Thirdly, silence teaches us how to speak . . ."
PRAYER: "Prayer, when we are faithful to it and practice it at regular times, slowly leads us to an experience of rest and opens us to God's active presence . . ."

Can You Drink the Cup?
Can we drink the cup as Jesus did? Henri Nouwen not only raises that question but also wrestles with it on every page. With stories from his family life and his life with people with mental disabilities he challenges us to drink our cup to the bottom, thereby letting it become the cup of our salvation. For those who have the courage to make Jesus' question their own, Can You Drink the Cup? can be life changing.