The Enduring Heart: Spirituality for the Long Haul

by Wilkie Au

The middle years are a time when people yearn to abandon the trivial, create a better self, and begin living in relation to life's ultimate questions. Yet it's also a time when people need new energy, new reasons for being faithful not only to God but to themselves. From the author of Urgings of the Heart comes this warm guidebook to help those in their middle years "live with soul"--that is, actively choose life until the very end. The book offers itself as a kind of "triple A autoclub" for the soul, providing a map for the journey, fuel for the long haul, and emergency roadside assistance. Most spiritual journeys are blocked at some point by such obstacles as the need for control, the fear of the unknown, or the desire for possessions. The Enduring Heart provides concrete help. It's packed with stories, examples from classic and contemporary spirituality, meditations, prayers, and exercises. Just a few of these are--how to write a spiritual autobiography, how to make an examination of consciousness, and how to take a contemplative prayer walk. All this points the traveler toward living with more awareness, more immediacy, more gratitude, and more compassion. Readers of Au's earlier books, By Way of the Heart and Urgings of the Heart, will find this even more insightful and heartening. His newest is also perfect reading for Christian baby boomers, empty nesters, spiritual seekers, people in therapy, and anyone experiencing change or loss. In addition it's a wonderful title for use by pastors and pastoral counselors and for DREs to use in adult ed courses.

192 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2000

Reviews

[Renaissance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used this for "daily" (+/-) reading. Well written and covered a variety of topics, sometimes topics which I needed to reflect upon at the time. Each reading provided beneficial reflection which I was often able to apply to my daily life or to share with others. Includes numerous anecdotes which enhance the reading experience and emphasize various points.

[Philippa Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great course guide and reflective thought provoking book if you want to take inventory of your life. Read this during a silent retreat at St Andrew's Abbey. If you feel worn down by your spiritual journey or stuck on "what if's, what was, what could have been's" - this is for you.

[Sr Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this as part of a faith sharing group on sabbatical. Not a bad book - suited for beginners.

[M.j. Radosevich · Rating 5 out of 5]

The proverbial question...what, how, and with whom am I living my life and sharing/spending the gifts with which one was blessed. How am I or you leaving a positive legacy and what remains to be done ? Wilke Au invites the reflection as we walk our own unique journey ; am I rooted or stuck? When we suffer a deep personal loss in life it forces us to ask the same and it's a gift to have the strength to continue to choose life despite the soul's grief and the heart's sorrow.

[Tanika · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in a small group setting. Although I found a lot of parts not applicable for someone in my age group it had a lot of practical life application exercises for living life in a more meaningful and relevant way.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenominal. Enjoyed it very much.

[Doreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an encouragement for our life journey with God. Excellent!

[JasmineB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth the time to read... provides thoughts for reflection and presents a different perspective on how one can live a meaningful life.