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Uma Espiritualidade do Viver
Qual o segredo para se ter uma vida espiritual? Viver uma vida disciplinada, de acordo com Henri Nouwen.
Na vida espiritual, disciplina exige esforço consciente para manter cada área da vida livre de ser preenchida — isso significa criar espaço para Deus. Nouwen identifica três disciplinas essenciais para manter uma vida de discipulado: solitude, comunidade e ministério.
Este pequeno livro encorajador e cheio de ideias inspira os leitores a praticarem todas as três disciplinas. O resultado, promete Nouwen, é uma vida cheia de fruto, uma vida cheia do Espírito.
Na vida espiritual, disciplina exige esforço consciente para manter cada área da vida livre de ser preenchida — isso significa criar espaço para Deus. Nouwen identifica três disciplinas essenciais para manter uma vida de discipulado: solitude, comunidade e ministério.
Este pequeno livro encorajador e cheio de ideias inspira os leitores a praticarem todas as três disciplinas. O resultado, promete Nouwen, é uma vida cheia de fruto, uma vida cheia do Espírito.
Kindle Edition
First published January 3, 2012
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About the author
Henri J.M. Nouwen
449 books2,116 followersHenri Jozef Machiel Nouwen was a Dutch Catholic priest, theologian, psychologist, professor, and spiritual writer whose work profoundly shaped contemporary Christian spirituality. Born in Nijkerk, the Netherlands, in 1932, Nouwen pursued religious studies and was ordained a priest in 1957. His intellectual curiosity led him to study psychology at the Catholic University of Nijmegen and later at the Menninger Clinic in Kansas, where he explored the connection between faith and mental health. Throughout his life, Nouwen remained committed to integrating pastoral care, psychology, and spiritual theology in a way that addressed the emotional and existential needs of believers.
Nouwen held teaching positions at prestigious institutions including the University of Notre Dame, Yale Divinity School, and Harvard Divinity School. He authored over three dozen books and hundreds of articles, with notable works such as The Wounded Healer, The Return of the Prodigal Son, Life of the Beloved, and The Inner Voice of Love. His writing, often rooted in personal vulnerability and spiritual struggle, resonated with readers across denominations. Nouwen openly explored themes of loneliness, identity, intimacy, and the human desire for love and belonging, making his voice especially relatable and influential.
Though he was a gifted academic and popular speaker, Nouwen found his deepest calling later in life through his involvement with L’Arche, a network of communities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. After a transformative stay at the original L’Arche community in France, Nouwen accepted an invitation to become the pastor of L’Arche Daybreak in Richmond Hill, Ontario. There he developed a close bond with Adam Arnett, a core member with severe disabilities, which inspired the book Adam: God’s Beloved. At Daybreak, Nouwen discovered a deep spiritual home and a community that helped him embrace his humanity in profound ways.
Throughout his life, Nouwen wrestled with issues of identity, including his sexuality and his longing for connection, though he remained faithful to his vows. His openness about depression and inner conflict gave depth to his pastoral message, and his ability to turn personal struggle into shared spiritual insight made him one of the most beloved spiritual writers of the 20th century.
Henri Nouwen died in 1996 of a sudden heart attack, but his legacy endures through his writings, the Henri Nouwen Society, and the continued global reach of his message of belovedness, vulnerability, and compassionate community. His books remain bestsellers, widely read in seminaries, churches, and among individuals seeking a more intimate walk with God.
Nouwen held teaching positions at prestigious institutions including the University of Notre Dame, Yale Divinity School, and Harvard Divinity School. He authored over three dozen books and hundreds of articles, with notable works such as The Wounded Healer, The Return of the Prodigal Son, Life of the Beloved, and The Inner Voice of Love. His writing, often rooted in personal vulnerability and spiritual struggle, resonated with readers across denominations. Nouwen openly explored themes of loneliness, identity, intimacy, and the human desire for love and belonging, making his voice especially relatable and influential.
Though he was a gifted academic and popular speaker, Nouwen found his deepest calling later in life through his involvement with L’Arche, a network of communities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. After a transformative stay at the original L’Arche community in France, Nouwen accepted an invitation to become the pastor of L’Arche Daybreak in Richmond Hill, Ontario. There he developed a close bond with Adam Arnett, a core member with severe disabilities, which inspired the book Adam: God’s Beloved. At Daybreak, Nouwen discovered a deep spiritual home and a community that helped him embrace his humanity in profound ways.
Throughout his life, Nouwen wrestled with issues of identity, including his sexuality and his longing for connection, though he remained faithful to his vows. His openness about depression and inner conflict gave depth to his pastoral message, and his ability to turn personal struggle into shared spiritual insight made him one of the most beloved spiritual writers of the 20th century.
Henri Nouwen died in 1996 of a sudden heart attack, but his legacy endures through his writings, the Henri Nouwen Society, and the continued global reach of his message of belovedness, vulnerability, and compassionate community. His books remain bestsellers, widely read in seminaries, churches, and among individuals seeking a more intimate walk with God.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 1, 2017
This book!
It is so short, and yet it packs a punch with every word. Constantly it challenged my thinking and at the end of the book I put it down and immediately had to read it all over again. It has challenged my view of the world, and challenged how I see everything in it. Travelling through what it means to be in solitude, and in community, and finally ministry, it brought to light a single truth that will totally revolutionize my relationships.
Previously, I hadn't even heard of Mr. Nouwen. Now I find myself aching to read every single one of his books. No other has impacted my life quite this much.
I highly recommend everyone read this. Even if just out of curiosity. There is such profound knowledge in these words.
It is so short, and yet it packs a punch with every word. Constantly it challenged my thinking and at the end of the book I put it down and immediately had to read it all over again. It has challenged my view of the world, and challenged how I see everything in it. Travelling through what it means to be in solitude, and in community, and finally ministry, it brought to light a single truth that will totally revolutionize my relationships.
Previously, I hadn't even heard of Mr. Nouwen. Now I find myself aching to read every single one of his books. No other has impacted my life quite this much.
I highly recommend everyone read this. Even if just out of curiosity. There is such profound knowledge in these words.
February 6, 2024
Incredibly short read from Nouwen that gives a very succinct look into how to the spiritual life can be lived well. Not much more to say here than what he says himself: "What counts in your life and mine is not successes but fruits," and while fruit ca be seen as a "success" from whatever branch, bush, or vine that issues it forth, the analogy reads that life comes from truly living, and some pretty good advice on how to do just that can be found within these pages. Would recommend, esp. since it only took the better part of an hour to read.
April 5, 2012
Short review: This is one of the classics of christian literature of the last 100 years. A short book about the movement from solitude to community and to serve and back again. My only real negative is that this is such a short book (and originally published about 30 years ago) that for the price it should have at least a better bio and some context to this book. Better yet, it should have the short book On Solitude together as a joint book. The content is very similar and they build on one another.
That being said, I highly recommend this short little book.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/nouwen/
That being said, I highly recommend this short little book.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/nouwen/
September 21, 2025
1. Solitude: where we turn our inner emptiness into a garden of communion with Christ. This is the place we root in our identity as God’s beloved and can emerge into a world of noise telling us otherwise.
2. Community: where we find people who are hard to love, but also in that process, discover our own brokenness reflected in them. Through forgiveness (“allowing someone to not be God”) and celebration (where we can appreciate someone’s God-given image after we free them of the expectation to satisfy us/meet our needs), we find a unique joy. Note: this is not 2 lonely people coming to grasp at each other, but 2 people who from solitude emerge to build a home with healing together.
3. Ministry: this not just a thing you do, but a way of life and being that heals people as you share gratitude and compassion. Gratitude points people to the light during a time of darkness. Compassion suffers with those who suffer, which is more powerful than just trying to fix someone- this shows your willingness to enter their pains, and it’s the presence that is powerful. God is found in the hidden pain.
The life of “discipline”, or being disciples who follow God, are demonstrated by this progression, from solitude with God, to entering into community, to shared ministry of healing:
Luke 6:12-13, 17-18 ESV
“ (1) In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. (2) And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles:… (3) And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured.”
2. Community: where we find people who are hard to love, but also in that process, discover our own brokenness reflected in them. Through forgiveness (“allowing someone to not be God”) and celebration (where we can appreciate someone’s God-given image after we free them of the expectation to satisfy us/meet our needs), we find a unique joy. Note: this is not 2 lonely people coming to grasp at each other, but 2 people who from solitude emerge to build a home with healing together.
3. Ministry: this not just a thing you do, but a way of life and being that heals people as you share gratitude and compassion. Gratitude points people to the light during a time of darkness. Compassion suffers with those who suffer, which is more powerful than just trying to fix someone- this shows your willingness to enter their pains, and it’s the presence that is powerful. God is found in the hidden pain.
The life of “discipline”, or being disciples who follow God, are demonstrated by this progression, from solitude with God, to entering into community, to shared ministry of healing:
Luke 6:12-13, 17-18 ESV
“ (1) In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. (2) And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles:… (3) And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured.”
May 29, 2021
Neste pequeno livro, Henri Nowen nos lembra que a vida cristã é uma vida disciplinada - uma vida onde há espaço para Deus agir. E eles nos apresenta três disciplinas que nos ajudam a abrir este espaço: isolamento, comunidade e ministério. Um livro para quem deseja ter uma vida frutífera de filha que se sabe amada por Deus.
October 1, 2023
A quick but deep read about the three parts of discipleship - solitude, community, and ministry. I suspect everyone has their "favourite practice" of the three, but each are needed for spiritual health. It was a good affirmation and challenge - to orient ourselves to our belovedness in Christ, to "be leaders from the place of our gifts and followers from the place of other people's gifts."
April 17, 2019
A spiritual master
Few books can offer such clarity for the spiritual life, that is life that has meaning, as the writings of Henri Nouwen. This is a distillation of many of his books in an approachable format.
Few books can offer such clarity for the spiritual life, that is life that has meaning, as the writings of Henri Nouwen. This is a distillation of many of his books in an approachable format.
May 21, 2017
Refreshing view of your faith
Excellent book. An always fresh look of spirituality. Henry Nouwen is an excellent guide if you are looking for a fresh view of your faith.
Excellent book. An always fresh look of spirituality. Henry Nouwen is an excellent guide if you are looking for a fresh view of your faith.
October 22, 2018
Short and sweet but so many thought provoking and inspiring statements.
Example:
Let’s remind one another that what brings us true joy is not successfulness but fruitfulness.
Example:
Let’s remind one another that what brings us true joy is not successfulness but fruitfulness.
December 12, 2018
I’ve really loved getting to know Nouwen’s writing through this series. Profound, quotable and convicting insights
July 3, 2019
A thoughtful book which reminds me of Fred Rogers
November 20, 2019
Can help in a hard time
I'm going to keep coming back to this short book. It's a collection of writings and speeches that Nouwen gave.
I'm going to keep coming back to this short book. It's a collection of writings and speeches that Nouwen gave.
January 12, 2022
Livro fraco. Alguns insight positivos, mas no geral, apenas afirmações jogadas sem qualquer base bíblica - e muitas outras com uma exegese bem mal feita. Não recomendo.
February 9, 2022
Classic Nouwen. Such a gem of a book.
January 2, 2023
As always, Henri Nouwen shares gems of wisdom. His words are incredibly prevalent even 20+ years after his passing. Maybe even more than when he wrote them.
January 19, 2024
I’ve read a lot of Nouwen and this one just went to the top of my list of his works.
December 5, 2024
Another excellent book in this series.
January 18, 2025
As always, Nouwen expresses deep truths with simplicity and clarity. He was one of the greatest spiritual writers.
April 23, 2021
Solitude, community and ministry. They all lead into one another from the foundation of listening to God and having Him be the primacy.
Thank you Henri. As always.
Thank you Henri. As always.
January 2, 2021
Um livro curto e excelente com um conteúdo que nos leva a reflexão e meditação sobre a forma como devemos ser e vivermos no mundo.
April 9, 2012
I've actually heard of Henry Nouwen some time ago, from Philip Yancey's Soul Survivors. I was quite intrigued and wanted to find some of his books to read, but it wasn't available (surprisingly, because the NLB normally has everything~). So, when I saw this on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance to read it. And because this book is short and sweet (64 pages), I'll try to keep my review short too.
The book is divided into three parts (four if you include the introduction) - Solitude, Community and Ministry (there are a few more chapters but these are the main sections). These all center around the idea of discipline. Here, discipline is defined as "the effort to create some space in which God can act." For that to happen, we need solitude to her God's voice (spending time in prayer), which would lead us to a community and finally, the community engages in ministry.
The flow of the book is smooth and it goes from one idea to another without a sudden jolt. The book was easy to understand and although short, packs quite a lot of meaning into it. Yet it isn't obtuse; it's just deep.
Of course, I love the writing. It is immensely quotable, much like Living Waters by Brother Yun (another book I'm reading now). I just want to end by quoting the last two paragraphs (although really, you can just pick a random paragraph and it'll be a beautiful quote):
"Our little lives are small, human lives. But in the eyes of the One who calls us the beloved, we are great - greater than the years we have. We will bear fruit, fruit that you and I will not see on this earth but whose reality we can trust.
Solitude, community, ministry - these disciplines help us to live a fruitful life. Remain in Jesus; he remains in you. You will bear many fruits, you will have great joy, and your joy will be complete. "
Disclaimer: I got this book free from NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review.
First posted at Inside the mind of a Bibliophile
The book is divided into three parts (four if you include the introduction) - Solitude, Community and Ministry (there are a few more chapters but these are the main sections). These all center around the idea of discipline. Here, discipline is defined as "the effort to create some space in which God can act." For that to happen, we need solitude to her God's voice (spending time in prayer), which would lead us to a community and finally, the community engages in ministry.
The flow of the book is smooth and it goes from one idea to another without a sudden jolt. The book was easy to understand and although short, packs quite a lot of meaning into it. Yet it isn't obtuse; it's just deep.
Of course, I love the writing. It is immensely quotable, much like Living Waters by Brother Yun (another book I'm reading now). I just want to end by quoting the last two paragraphs (although really, you can just pick a random paragraph and it'll be a beautiful quote):
"Our little lives are small, human lives. But in the eyes of the One who calls us the beloved, we are great - greater than the years we have. We will bear fruit, fruit that you and I will not see on this earth but whose reality we can trust.
Solitude, community, ministry - these disciplines help us to live a fruitful life. Remain in Jesus; he remains in you. You will bear many fruits, you will have great joy, and your joy will be complete. "
Disclaimer: I got this book free from NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review.
First posted at Inside the mind of a Bibliophile
January 31, 2023
Henri Nouwen deelt mooie waarden en wijsheid. Spiritualiteit omvat vergeving, liefde, verbondheid en veel meer.
Zeker een aanrader als je katholiek ben, want hier is er veel over de evangelie, Jezus en God.
Ik ben niet katholiek maar vond het boeiend om de gelijkenissen te zien met andere godsdiensten. Alles gaat om liefde geven en ontvangen. Dit is de essentie.
Zeker een aanrader als je katholiek ben, want hier is er veel over de evangelie, Jezus en God.
Ik ben niet katholiek maar vond het boeiend om de gelijkenissen te zien met andere godsdiensten. Alles gaat om liefde geven en ontvangen. Dit is de essentie.
April 9, 2012
*Read via ebook on NetGalley*
I've never read (and barely heard of) Henri Nouwen, but I definitely want to read more of his work. He was quite a prolific Christian writer in the late 70s and 80s. Apparently this book takes bits and pieces of some of his other books, but it was a wonderful way to introduce readers to Nouwen and the beautiful ideas he espouses about connecting to God through solitude, community, and service. What occurred to me while reading it, strangely enough, was how I felt when reading The Great Gatsby--I was so impressed with how much power Fitzgerald could pack in just a few words. Gatsby isn't a big book, but it has big ideas and leaves big impressions. That's how I felt about Nouwen. Sometimes you don't need 300 words to get your point across, and he just had a beautiful sense of prose and poetry to his words. Very inspiring, and I'm eager to read more.
I've never read (and barely heard of) Henri Nouwen, but I definitely want to read more of his work. He was quite a prolific Christian writer in the late 70s and 80s. Apparently this book takes bits and pieces of some of his other books, but it was a wonderful way to introduce readers to Nouwen and the beautiful ideas he espouses about connecting to God through solitude, community, and service. What occurred to me while reading it, strangely enough, was how I felt when reading The Great Gatsby--I was so impressed with how much power Fitzgerald could pack in just a few words. Gatsby isn't a big book, but it has big ideas and leaves big impressions. That's how I felt about Nouwen. Sometimes you don't need 300 words to get your point across, and he just had a beautiful sense of prose and poetry to his words. Very inspiring, and I'm eager to read more.
April 23, 2012
This book is part of the Henri Nouwen Spirituality Series. It is a short book and well worth your time. Do you know what it means to live a spiritual life? Are you often distracted while trying to spend time alone in Bible study? The principles in this book will help you grow in your spiritual relationship with Christ. The author puts forth three areas that we can use to further our growth. I thought the book was an easy read and very easy to understand. If you are looking for a short book with easy to apply principles this is it! I gave this book 4/5 stars because I found some of the writing to be a little boring, but that is just my opinion so please do not skip the book just because I found parts of it monotonous.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based on my opinion of what I read.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based on my opinion of what I read.
April 11, 2012
In this beautiful little book, many of Henri Nouwen’s most important thoughts are brought together to explore the ways we live out our faith every day. Moving from discipline and discipleship, through solitude, and into community and ministry, Nouwen brings his enlightened points of view to us in ways that are easy to understand. Like all Nouwen’s work, these meditations can be read over and over for new insights and understand. Mogabgab has done a beautiful job of putting together disparate pieces of Nouwen’s body of work in a coherent and enriching way. I highly recommend any work by Nouwen, but I especially recommend this little book with its simple yet devastatingly piercing insights into the human journey of faith.
May 12, 2012
Beautiful and encouraging are the best descriptors for this small but weighty volume. Using a couple Scripture passages, Henri Nouwen guides us peacefully to an understanding of how to live a fruitful life. He directs the reader to an understanding of where prayer and contemplation meet ministry. He helps the reader understand why "busy" and "success" leave a person empty and lonely. He explains our need to forgive and be forgiven for not being able to live up to expectations of love and friendship. He calls for a life/ministry of compassion and fruitfulness.
This is a rich, densely packed, easily read gift from a very loving heart. Beyond recommendation, I encourage open, contemplative reading.
This is a rich, densely packed, easily read gift from a very loving heart. Beyond recommendation, I encourage open, contemplative reading.
November 18, 2014
Great books...as always.
“…in the spiritual life, the word discipline means ‘the effort to create some space in which God can act.’ Discipline means to prevent everything in our life from being filled up. Discipline means that somewhere we’re not occupied, and certainly not preoccupied. In the spiritual life, discipline means to create that space in which something can happen that we hadn’t planned or counted on. Discipline helps us to follow the voice of the Spirit, who wants to lead us to new places, new people, and new forms of service.”
“…in the spiritual life, the word discipline means ‘the effort to create some space in which God can act.’ Discipline means to prevent everything in our life from being filled up. Discipline means that somewhere we’re not occupied, and certainly not preoccupied. In the spiritual life, discipline means to create that space in which something can happen that we hadn’t planned or counted on. Discipline helps us to follow the voice of the Spirit, who wants to lead us to new places, new people, and new forms of service.”
March 6, 2016
A Spirituality of Living is a Reader's Digest-like condensing of Henri Nouwen's writing, but its simplicity belies its profundity. It's a shape for spiritual formation. My small group leaders Albert and Shauna Olson Hong introduced it to me, chapter by chapter, as we have tried and conversed about a spiritual Rule of Life over a matter of months, and its been a worthwhile companion. You can read it in an hour, but it's meant to be lived and contemplated for weeks and months.
June 5, 2016
Read for an OLLI class about Henri Nouwen who was a Catholic priest but, more importantly, a person who thought deeply about the meaning of his life and how it should be lead. Filled with Christian references which I do not yet understand yet a philosophy that says that believing oneself to be beloved by God frees one. I will read it several more times and discuss it with people more learned than myself to fully understand.
May 7, 2013
Henry Nouwen continues to be one of those profoundly spiritual men of God that in such simple ways opens up spirituality as a natural course of life. There is no doubt that God was in his living and in his pen to share these simple, yet sometimes challenging truths with us. How enriching this tiny book is.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews