The Awakened Heart: Opening Yourself to the Love You Need

by Gerald G. May

"Integrating the wisdom of ancient mystics and the insights of contemporary thinkers, May examines the spiritual longings that are often hidden and controlled by society's pressures and expectations.
"—Publishers Weekly

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Psychology, Christian, Self Help, Personal Growth, Theology

Paperback

First published October 1, 1991

Reviews

[Glen Grunau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gerald May is one of my favourite Christian contemplative authors. His words never cease to penetrate deep into my soul. His personable honesty makes him seem like one of my best friends. His vocation in the mental health field as a psychiatrist has given him a unique understanding for the challenges I face in my vocation.

Gerald is gifted at taking the writings of the ancient mystics and bringing them alive in our contemporary age. His book The Dark Night of the Soul was my first introduction to the writings of Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross. His book Addiction & Grace pointed me to the underlying motive in all addictions – a deep yearning and desire for God.

This book The Awakened Heart was recommended to me by my assigned spiritual director at a recent three-day silent retreat as I confessed how elusive the sense of the loving presence of God so often is in my life. This book represents May’s attempt to elucidate the classic Practicing the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence. He succeeds at this task marvellously.

This is a highly quotable book. It seems that my primary challenge in reading it was to decide which sections to NOT highlight in my Kindle! So I will say no more about the book and allow the quotes, many of which are rather lengthy, to speak for themselves.

[Reneesarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gerald May was a psychiatrist and also someone who was on a spiritual journey. I feel what I learned from his book is not to push and struggle so much, and to just be.... accept grace, accept help. That God is always present, and we can trust that.....

[Seon Ji (Dawn)]

DNF

I grow tired of all the God references.

Just not for me.

[Rod White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great. Great. May's masterpiece, I think. It is one of those books that I fear I need to underline too much -- better just read it again! I am not sure I agree with his somewhat indeterminate centering on "love." But it doesn't bother me too much because I definitely know what he means.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good read for anyone seeking more meaning in life. It does a great job of properly defining love, which is much needed in the current dysfunction of American religion and giving practical steps to BE LOVE in our everyday lives.

[Suzanne]

Really Healing . I love Gerald May.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A worthwhile but tedious book that would have benefitted enormously by a thorough editing. There was too much when the essence of the book required less.

[S. Lael · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most inspirational books I have ever read

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all: May describes himself in this book as a Christian mystic, and that is what this book is exactly about. Meditative/contemplative practice grounded in an all-encompassing spirituality. If you are "traditional Evangelical" and you're expecting something grounded in scripture, this is not it.

However, for those in that camp who are willing to read people outside of their own tradition and sift through a bit of syncretism, there are a few hidden gems to be found. I read this book in the midst of a season of difficulty in my own life, and found it to be immensely helpful in directing my heart away from anxiety and nervousness. The practical focus here is on being present, on being "grounded", on being aware of God's presence, of love, at all times. That can be very helpful. A few of the chapters are just an explanation of The Practice of the Presence of God, which I read in high school, so I wasn't unfamiliar with all the concepts.

I think Addiction and Grace: Love and Spirituality in the Healing of Addictions is a better book, but this one felt like listening to a friend talk about what they found useful in their spiritual journey, even if I ended up just chugging along through the last few chapters.

[Anthony Risson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having begun this some years ago at the suggestion of my Spiritual Director, I found the words of May to be comforting and challenging. There is a sense of being aware in all of life, of being open to the love which is of God and from God, of being prayer-full with each moment (reminiscent of Brother Lawrence). May writes with experience and a long history of thought and practice. Similar in style to "Wisdom of the Wilderness", yet offering fresh insights . . . I enjoy what he has to say and the way in which he offers it.

Others may critique this book more thoroughly - I offer my own appreciation for May's writing and thankfulness for the wisdom of a good friend who invited me to see life, love and faith in a new light.

[Laney Dugan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and there were some profound takeaways from it… but I’m gonna be so honest, I’m not sure I understood 40-60% of it. This is a book I hope to revisit in a few years, and maybe then I’ll be a bit older and wiser and able to receive more of what May had to say in this book. But even still, in the things I did understand, I was deeply moved, challenged, and encouraged. His emphasis on Love was powerful, and something I think I can gloss over or forget the centrality of sometimes. The way he described the relation between love and efficiency was significant, and the way he encouraged (and gave practical guidance to) practicing presence was beautiful. Overall, lovely book! I only hope to grasp more of it the next time around!

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was very helpful and insightful as I make my own personal journey along the Contemplative path. At times repetitious; at times seemingly contradictory. Recommends just doing the various practices and not worrying about doing things "correctly." But then at one point he lists in great detail from best to worst ways to be contemplative.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anything by Gerald May is fantastic, down-to-earth spirituality and psychology. He's so real and practical and he gives humble examples from his life and work. This is not a book for someone who hates the word "God" but I assure you that this is not a know-it-all treatment of God. There is no definition of God included, no exclusion of anyone here.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spiritual masterpiece.

[Kathleen Geldart · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great content but I stopped being able to connect about 2/3rds through so I did not end up finishing

[David W. Sandel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wise, wonderful, peaceful

Gerald May masterpiece brings me peace, even in the reading. No hurry, no trouble, inward glance, God’s love reached toward me

[Sherri Staples · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a disclaimer, I should say that I read this book for a Christian women's book study looking at racial justice and healing, The Awakened heart is a guide on how to open yourself, fearlessly to God's love, and how to give it to those around us. To be served and then with love's gifts, to love and serve others.
Without my accountability to the group, I probably would not have read it on my own If you are interested in reading The Awakened heart, I would strongly stress to do it in a group club.

[Summer Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow and wow. This book is really a spiritual book that teaches you what love actually is--not a feeling but an action. The subtitle makes it seem self help, but I didn't find that to be true at all. I liked this book so much that I bought it for my teens and their boyfriends. Wish I had understoon how to be loved by God before I ventured into wanting to be loved by anyone else.

[Stefan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear, simple approach to living the spiritual life.

[James Geddes · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the finest books I've ever read. May discusses the dynamics of love and efficiency
in a culture that often gets it wrong.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guide for following a deeper connection to God through personal prayer and meditation. Informative and an easy read.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most important book on prayer in my library.

[Kindra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very thought provoking, although it did take months to read. While I found it very helpful in my spiritual journey, it's hard to pinpoint any specific takeaways. Just let you be you, and God be God, and be together; it's the yielding and reaching that matters most; having the genuine desire to meet with God in any given moment; being in the present moment trumps any formula for righteousness or spirituality...so I guess there are a few concrete takeaways. I can struggle to read it and connect everything he talks about, it can feel too abstract or intangible for me to really "get" at times. Still overall hugely enjoyed it, mostly the beginning and middle.