Availability: The Challenge and the Gift of Being Present

by Robert J. Wicks

For almost thirty years, Availability has been a trusted guide for cultivating openness and being present to God, self, and others. In this new edition, Robert Wicks describes availability as a challenging but spiritually rewarding way to live a more balanced life.

Drawing insights from his spiritual mentors Henri Nouwen and Thomas Merton, Wicks shows how freely entering into the turmoil and joy of other people's lives can lead to deeper self-knowledge and a powerful encounter with Christ.

In this simple, accessible book written in his characteristic warm and direct style, Wicks shows how self-awareness, compassion for others, and prayer are but different turns on the same road of finding and living the Truth. Wicks looks at the three dimensions of spirituality through the lens of availability. Looking first at self-awareness, he offers brief chapters on forgiveness, clarity, and the uniqueness of each person. In part two, he examines availability to others as a twofold negotiating the difficulties inherent in relationships and entering into others' pain. In part three, Wicks explores availability to God, focusing on letting go and experiencing him.

141 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 2015

About the author

There is more than one author with this name. See also: Robert Wicks & Robert Wicks.

Robert J. Wicks (born August 2, 1946 in Queens, New York) is a clinical psychologist and writer about the intersection of spirituality and psychology. Wicks is a well known speaker, therapist, and spiritual guide who has taught at universities and professional schools of psychology, medicine, nursing, theology, and social work for more than thirty years. He a Professor Emeritus at Loyola University Maryland

Reviews

[Nicky Uerling]

An excellent and challenging read about what it really means to open oneself up to ourselves, to others, and to God.

[Nolan Butler]

Brimming with spiritual insight