God Hunger: Discovering the Mystic in All of Us

by John J. Kirvan

Bestselling author John Kirvan understands the spiritual hunger of people forced to survive on scraps of childhood religion and greeting-card wisdom. He understands because he was hungry. His friends were hungry. Instead of starving to death, however, Kirvan created a spiritual feast in God Hunger, sharing what the great mystics sought and found-- a direct, love-driven way of knowing God. Kirvan explores the lives and writings of ten great spiritual teachers from the 4th century to today, going far beyond the ephemeral religious fashions that flit in and out of modern popular culture, explaining the techniques they used to hear the movements of God within. With 50 meditations and prayers, God Hunger builds on the words and wisdom of the mystics-- from Gregory of Nyssa to Thomas Merton, and Kabbalah to C.S. Lewis-- sending us on our own personal quest toward God. Prepare to be shocked. Prepare for spiritual risks. Even the most seasoned spiritual traveler will be surprised when and where they discover God. Kirvan emphasizes, however, that the journey has no bargain rates or shortcuts. Faith is a lifelong commitment, not a passing fad, an emotional pilgrimage that requires inspired devotion in an era when we have been offered so much and often settle for so little. Combining the best of Christian, Jewish and Islamic traditions, God Hunger keeps us honest, humble, focused on the search and joyful in the discovery of a nourishing spiritual life.

Genres: Religion, Spirituality, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Mary Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kirvan introduces the reader to ten different mystics or mystical traditions (the Kabbalah). Most are Christian but Islam and Judaism are also represented. Each of the ten sections includes a brief biographical introduction and a reflection on a theme identified in the works of the mystic. These short introductions are followed by ten brief meditations: a quote from the mystic, a one-page reflection and a prayer-poem on the facing page.

I've used "introduction" a lot, because the treatment of each individual is so brief that one comes away with just a hint of the riches to be found in his or her writing. It is like one of those "Taste of [Name of City]" events, which offer a couple of bites of a specialty from a bunch of restaurants. Some of the mystics appealed to me more than others, and some of the themes resonated more than others. But I enjoyed turning to the book each day and dipping into one of the meditations as a springboard for my own meditation and prayer.

A good introduction that invites the reader to "go deeper" even through the reading of this small volume, with its reminder that there is a rich banquet awaiting the serious God seeker.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was good, but it wasn't necessarily for me. While the author stressed his ecumenical approach to the topic, the fact is that it focused solely on Abrahamic religions and so feel short of it's "mysticism reveals a universal truth without regard to tradition" goal. I feel like I'm past the point where I can passively accept referring to "God" in an embodied masculine sense, so none of the prayers really spoke to me.

With that said, there were definitely some nuggets of wisdom in here. I was particularly interested in the sections on Angelus Silesius and Rumi. The Silesius section touched on the "form is emptiness and emptiness is form" teachings of the Mahayana. Rumi is just great no matter where he is.

Worth a read, but definitely for Christians only.

[Jerre · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hunger for God, a Higher Power; we all have it. Those who think they don’t have simply substituted it into material cravings or some other kind of unsatisfying need.
God Hunger is a fascinating little book that possibly creates more questions than answers but is a must-read for anyone who thinks they are on a spiritual quest. The author, John Kirvan, presents us with something more than “spiritual junk food” or “greeting card wisdom.” I read this book over a period of two weeks, taking one section each day, and it was one of the most rewarding, thought-provoking reading experiences I have ever had. It simultaneously made me feel both more distant from and closer to God. In Kirvan’s words, “Above all we have come to know and accept that there is no guarantee of hearing God’s reply, or even of experiencing a sense that we have been heard.” But that should not keep us from our quest.
What is the quest? A spiritual quest is the pursuit of Wisdom, and in the Old Testament, which has a version in all three of the religions, Wisdom (thought feminine) and God are synonymous. Even John in the New Testament says “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word became God.” According to Kirvan, however, “The problem with this is we pre-define God” by imposing limits on God...deciding a lifetime in advance what kind of God shall enter our lives and under what conditions, a program that in everyday relationships would leave us friendless or lifeless.”
The book is subtitled Discovering the Mystic in All of Us. It is Kirvan’s examination of the theology of nine mystics (some are Christian saints) in three religions, including the Kaballah. He does this by including his own commentary on each and a prayer to compliment the section. You might think you do not want to go this deep into theology, but trust me, you do.
A sample prayer: “Let me not forget/ that in choosing you/ I have chosen/ to walk in mystery,/ to live/ neither in heaven/ nor on earth/ but in you,/ that mysterious place,/ that is my home.”

[Oswaldo · Rating 5 out of 5]

"But the call of God is no siren song. It is a voice rising into the deepest part of our souls, an invitation uttered in our mother tongue reminding us that we need not be forever strangers in a strange land, that our family, our home awaits."

If you are hungry, eager, to meet God or to at least connect with yourself on a deeper more personal level with the universe—this book is a good book to pray to. John J. Kirvan really pushes for you to pray and meditate essentially on each passing so I will be keeping this one on my person, I plan to revisit this book consistently overtime. At times I do not know what I have learned or experienced because it is hard to quantify. But I think it is good enough that I've taken the time to write this review, to let it stand as merit to the book's worth and the mystic's ideas.

[Renaissance · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book for daily spiritual reading and reflection about one's hunger to find God and to develop a special, close relationship, using inspiration from a variety of mystics, such as Rumi, Ramon Lull, Francis of Assisi, Hildegard of Bingen and others.

Each section focuses on a theme (e.g., "Longing") with an introduction about the topic and a brief biography about the author (e.g., C. S. Lewis). Then the daily sections begin with a quote, a reflection, and a prayer. One can easily do one or two each day.

Through these writings, the reader is guided to search for God through the experiences of the mystics who, in a sense, are the guides.

I found this book to be very satisfying, challenging, inspirational--a great find.

[Alysha Smart · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very intriguing book about religion through the lenses of simple human nature. If read from an unbiased point of view, this book is very eloquent.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book to be read, but more than that, prayed.....

[Carole Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the years, I've read this book many times. The author feels that deep down we are all looking for God in our lives. He offers several people whose lives have followed the spiritual path in search of God. Here are a few of them: Francis of Assisi, Hildegard of Bingen, Thomas Merton, and C.S. Lewis. These being the better known of the people in the book. All 4 of them are my favorites to read. Their writing is easy to find and perhaps easier to understand.
We are now in 2025 and we need the writings of spiritual writers to keep us from straying from the path to God. We can be so easily distracted. Just reading and internalizing the word of these spiritual writers may save our lives. They point us to God as our refuge through the day and night.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a series of 50 devotionals by 10 different mystics from Christianity, Judaism and Islam. I really enjoyed the first two authors, CS Lewis and Thomas Merton, but my interest level waned rapidly after that. Maybe because the next author wasn't a Christian? Also likely due to my non-mysticism; I work better with concrete ideas than abstract, vague concepts. In all fairness though, I gave up on the book and didn't finish with the last two authors. I'll probably pick it up again at some point.

[booklady]

According to Linda, 'this book's chapters are: Contradictions: Simone Weil, Trust: Henry J.M. Nouwem, Surrender: Therese of Lisieux, Heart: Blaise Pascal, Loving God: Al-Ghazzali, Confidence: Teresa of Avila, Wonder: Pirke Avot, Silence: the Carthusians, Ignorance: Nicholas of Cusa and Faith: Karl Rahner.' Sounds incredible if I can find it. She's offered to loan me her copy, sweet friend that she is.

[Kristen Iworsky · Rating 1 out of 5]

really not good (for me at least)

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent for prayer and meditation.

[Craig Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for daily devotions. Prayers are excellent to stimulate deeper thought and meditation.