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The Dance of Life: Weaving Sorrows and Blessings into One Joyful Step
In this new anthology, Michael Andrew Ford gathers Henri J.M. Nouwen's selections that encourage us to embrace our imperfections and find the transforming power of God at work within them. Spiritual refreshment and guidance through the darkness, loneliness, and turmoil of life's challenges.
219 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
10 people are currently reading
260 people want to read
About the author
Henri J.M. Nouwen
319Ìýbooks2,019ÌýfollowersHenri Jozef Machiel Nouwen (Nouen), (1932â€�1996) was a Dutch-born Catholic priest and writer who authored 40 books on the spiritual life.
Nouwen's books are widely read today by Protestants and Catholics alike. The Wounded Healer, In the Name of Jesus, Clowning in Rome, The Life of the Beloved, and The Way of the Heart are just a few of the more widely recognized titles. After nearly two decades of teaching at the Menninger Foundation Clinic in Topeka, Kansas, and at the University of Notre Dame, Yale University and Harvard University, he went to share his life with mentally handicapped people at the L'Arche community of Daybreak in Toronto, Canada. After a long period of declining energy, which he chronicled in his final book, Sabbatical Journey, he died in September 1996 from a sudden heart attack.
His spirituality was influenced by many, notably by his friendship with Jean Vanier. At the invitation of Vanier he visited L'Arche in France, the first of over 130 communities around the world where people with developmental disabilities live and share life together with those who care for them. In 1986 Nouwen accepted the position of pastor for a L'Arche community called "Daybreak" in Canada, near Toronto. Nouwen wrote about his relationship with Adam, a core member at L'Arche Daybreak with profound developmental disabilities, in a book titled Adam: God's Beloved. Father Nouwen was a good friend of the late Joseph Cardinal Bernardin.
The results of a Christian Century magazine survey conducted in 2003 indicate that Nouwen's work was a first choice of authors for Catholic and mainline Protestant clergy.
One of his most famous works is Inner Voice of Love, his diary from December 1987 to June 1988 during one of his most serious bouts with clinical depression.
There is a Father Henri J. M. Nouwen Catholic Elementary School in Richmond Hill, Ontario.
Nouwen's books are widely read today by Protestants and Catholics alike. The Wounded Healer, In the Name of Jesus, Clowning in Rome, The Life of the Beloved, and The Way of the Heart are just a few of the more widely recognized titles. After nearly two decades of teaching at the Menninger Foundation Clinic in Topeka, Kansas, and at the University of Notre Dame, Yale University and Harvard University, he went to share his life with mentally handicapped people at the L'Arche community of Daybreak in Toronto, Canada. After a long period of declining energy, which he chronicled in his final book, Sabbatical Journey, he died in September 1996 from a sudden heart attack.
His spirituality was influenced by many, notably by his friendship with Jean Vanier. At the invitation of Vanier he visited L'Arche in France, the first of over 130 communities around the world where people with developmental disabilities live and share life together with those who care for them. In 1986 Nouwen accepted the position of pastor for a L'Arche community called "Daybreak" in Canada, near Toronto. Nouwen wrote about his relationship with Adam, a core member at L'Arche Daybreak with profound developmental disabilities, in a book titled Adam: God's Beloved. Father Nouwen was a good friend of the late Joseph Cardinal Bernardin.
The results of a Christian Century magazine survey conducted in 2003 indicate that Nouwen's work was a first choice of authors for Catholic and mainline Protestant clergy.
One of his most famous works is Inner Voice of Love, his diary from December 1987 to June 1988 during one of his most serious bouts with clinical depression.
There is a Father Henri J. M. Nouwen Catholic Elementary School in Richmond Hill, Ontario.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 2, 2021
Henri Nouwen's writing is easily read and understood usually by most. That I think is the beauty of his writing. He wants everyone to come to Jesus and confess that Jesus is the Son of God and that we should be vigilant in living in His Word. This, of course, is no easy task, but we should daily commit ourselves to His Leadership as we share His Word and Love with others. Community is how God's Word and teachings are shared.
April 12, 2018
A devotional book that has depth. Nouwen leaves you pondering great questions of faith without shattering your faith but rather driving you more into the heart of God. Its one book that should stay on my shelf to be meditated on often.
August 9, 2024
I loved the way the editor, Michael Ford, organized Nouwen's material and referenced the significant life stages we emerge through, then sited which of Nouwen's book it came from. It motivated me to read one of his other books. it was very inspiring!
May 14, 2011
Now, I have read Nouwen before and really loved it (Return of the Prodigal Son plus another one or two). I received this book for Christmas (though I blame myself since it was on my Amazon list). I did not realize this was an edited book with blurbs from his many different books and diaries. To be quite honest, for such a short book, it was extremely difficult to get through. It felt like reading a recipe book. Characterized by subject, you read 10 excerpts about going home (dying), similar to how you could read through a chapter on desserts, but you enjoy no build-up of a point or climax, or real flow within the chapters. I've already listed it on Title Trader. I had hoped, after getting over the initial disappointment, that it would at least help me decide on which book of his to read next, but no such luck. Apparently (from the preface) there is another edited volume (by Michael Ford?), do - not - do - it. Read a Nouwen book the way he wrote it, one book from start to finish.
January 8, 2008
Wow, I love this book (despite the slightly cheesy title). Nouwen's psychological training informs his very down-to-earth spiritual writing, and this is a great format - an anthology of excerpts arranged by theme. The great message of God's love shines through every page. It's a wonderful book to read a little at a time.
October 26, 2009
My attention kept wandering when reading this book. Normally I love Nouwen's writing, but I didn't connect with this one.
Perhaps it was because this book is a collection of passages from his other books, and a paragraph or two isn't enough to pull me in. I don't know. Maybe if I read it again at another time I'd connect to it...
Perhaps it was because this book is a collection of passages from his other books, and a paragraph or two isn't enough to pull me in. I don't know. Maybe if I read it again at another time I'd connect to it...
Read
August 22, 2007Really helpful during some of my darkest days. I like the concept of weaving the joy and the pain together, and these excerpts from Nouwen's other works all touch on this idea.
May 7, 2009
I absolutely love Henri Nouwen, but I completely distain how some publishers have pulled together bits & pieces of what he wrote or said to compile a new book by Nouwen post humus.
Read
November 10, 2008I may have to read more of his books, but for now, this has lovely short excerpts from many of his other books. Easy to pick up and find a short but powerful gem.
December 17, 2009
Awesome. Comforting. Guiding.
July 24, 2011
Read JUN 2007
Excellent edited collection of Henri Nouwen's works. Good way to identify individual titles you may want to dig into deeper.
Excellent edited collection of Henri Nouwen's works. Good way to identify individual titles you may want to dig into deeper.
November 3, 2012
I found this book really helpful. It addressed a lot of things about pain, sorrow, darkness, and other negative emotions and gives good advice about overcoming them and finding life.
January 1, 2021
Mystical and provocative.
August 27, 2011
Great read! Love it!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
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