The Inner Voice of Love: A Journey Through Anguish to Freedom

This is without a doubt the best, most encouraging and amazing book I have read in 2009. I had read two books previously by Henri Nouwen and had been impressed with his gentle but challenging Christian spirituality.This book started life not with the intention ever to be published. Henri Nouwen went through a very dark period in his life, suffering from depression it seems. With the support of cousellors/ spiritual guides he eventaully managed to pass this stage. This book is a series of about 50 short imperatives/reflections that Nouwen wrote to himself. That a man clearly in depression could write so honestly and eloquently is astonishing.The introduction of the book explains that the short writings do not need to be read in order and it is not recommended many are read at one sitting an I adopted this approach and can see why it is necessary so as to have time to reflect on each in turn.An excellent book for those dealing with loss, friendship, spiritual searching, depression, but in reality for anyone. I highly recommend it.

Henri Nouwen was a Dutch-born Catholic priest. He was a professor, pastor and prolific writer. This book is one of my favourites. He wrote it as a journal at a time when “within me there was one long scream coming from a place I didn’t know existed.” It is a series of just over 60 short entries, some no more than a paragraph long, that record his journey from despair to hope, pain to compassion, agony to freedom and deeper love.It is not a book to be read quickly. It is a book to read slowly, one entry at a time, to ponder and allow to sink into your soul.Here is an example of the wisdom and hope contained within its pages. “Your pain is deep, and it won’t just go away… Your call is to bring that pain home. As long as your wounded part remains foreign to your adult self, your pain will injure you as well as others… Taking up your cross means … befriending your wounds and letting them reveal to you your own truth… then you will be able to see clearly the crosses that others have to bear, and you will be able to reveal to them their own ways to joy, peace and freedom.”This book is for everyone living through the pain of traumatic events, the loss of a loved one, or broken relationships. Savour it, and let it impart courage and hope.

This is a terrific book. I first read it many years ago and am still buying copies for other people. It consists of short readings which are not necessarily intended to be read on a daily basis. The author had kept a diary for a year following a breakdown and was persuaded by a friend to later allow it to be edited for publication. The result is a series of short, but profound readings - very spiritual and full of common sense. Suitable for any reader, but perhaps especially for anyone suffering from depression, loneliness or loss.

After reading Nouwen's book I should really just box up virtually all of my Christian books around my house, put them in the garage to avoid being distracted, and spend the next ten years reading, and re-reading The Inner Voice of Love alongside the Bible.Truly, this is a heart-breaking, deeply profound, beautiful expression of our brokenness, lostness and hope. It is so beautifully written with such tender simplicity that it cannot help but leave you with a sense of your life having been changed.Buy many copies and bless many people with this book.

The book itself is excellent and arrived promptly. The only slight problem was that the condition of the pages is not as indicated and it has been heavily marked by a previous user.

This book was lent to me and I'm using as a daily inspirational/devotional format and it's hit the spot so many times I decided I need my own copy. Can't recommend highly enough

This is one of the most beautiful audiobooks I have ever purchased. It is kind, compassionate and full of wisdom. Henri holds you by the hand and comforts you, and his words are read by Murray Bodo, another wonderful man and author of numerous books on Franciscan spirituality - please try those as well. So, VERY highly recommended. Christianity as taught by none other than Jesus himself, meaning, with LOVE.

If you have never read any books by Henri Nouwen then you are missing out! This is a good one to start with. You have to read it in small chunks as there is so much packed into each reading. There are some simple yet profound truths that have the power to change your life. The Return of the Prodigal Son would be a good one to follow on with.

We all have suffered. Don't allow your suffering to victimize you but instead transform your person for your new life.

This book has ministered God's love to me so much over so many years. Everyone who wants a deeper touch of Gods intimate love should read this. What a beautiful journal from a wonderful man.

I love to read. You already know that about me. I always say after reading a book, "It'll change your life." I get made fun of all the time for it.Michele Cushatt, Author recommended a book several months ago and I bought it. I'd never heard of Henri Nouwen up to that point.It's taken me almost 3 months to get through this book. It has wrecked me emotionally and spiritually in good ways.It's opened my eyes to toxic thoughts and emotions I've believed about myself and others.Nouwen's words have brought me to my knees in repentance for relying more on relationships and validation than the love of God.It took me 3 days to journal through one paragraph.He says in the introduction.."Everything came crashing down - my self-esteem, my energy to live and work, my sense of being loved, my hope for healing, my trust in God... everything. Here I was, a writer about the spiritual life, known as someone who loves God and gives hope to people, flat on the ground and in total darkness.Just when all those around me were assuring me they loved me, cared for me, appreciated me, yes, even admired me, I experienced myself as a useless, unloved, and despicable person."Yes... Yes... It's like he was sitting right beside me knowing exactly what I was feeling.Nouwen's words brought me to a more intimate place with Christ. A place I was and still am desperate for.This book... I have so much to say, yet it has left me speechless. I will go back to it time and time again through my life, no doubt.I leave you with these words..."God loves me. God's love is enough. And I must choose the solid place over and over again." - Henri Nouwen

no complaints at all!

“the great challenge is living your wounds through instead of Thinking them through.it is better to cry than to worry, Better to feel your wounds deeply than to understand them, Better to let them enter into your silence than to talk about them”-Henri Nouwen“the simple fact that you are more aware of your wounds show that you have sufficient strength to face them” -Henri NouwenWhat I like about this book is the rawness of the pain, the author himself faced personally and how he came out of that heart breaking emotion while writing in this journal. It is this rawness that has resonated with people who have come in contact with this book and changed lifes,including me.This book was written when the author was going through some personal issues and writing has been his only solace. Once he made peace with his pain, his journal writing surprised him, as he didn’t know how he came up with the nuggets of wisdom buried within him..I firmly believe that certain books come to into your life when u are searching for them …call it synchronicity but this book came into my life when I was in dire need of such uplifting, soothing words to mend my broken soul. Anyone who has ever been heartbroken, this book will resonate with you a lot.Although it is less than 150 pages…I suggest you to read one entry at a time,as it was written…try to savor every word and the message it conveys….u will have a renewed energy to face life once again armed with peace and well being.You may not heal completely but this book will mend your soul and u will be willing to give life another chance and trust your inner voice. That is the beauty of literature; you tend to find strength in someone else’s strength. Knowing the fact that the author himself has gone through the similar pain, you take courage in that and try to move on with life and put your past behind you. Everyone goes through a heart break and it may look like you will be consumed by this pain, but this book gives you hope by showing you and guiding you gently that you are not alone in this,. That’s the beauty of this book…it doesn’t command …it guides you like your best friend and encourages you to pick yourself up and face the world again and to keep trusting that small little voice.I still keep going back to this book and read all my highlighted passages (practically most of the book) as it nourishes my soul.