Sunday, July 20, 2008
Nouwen, H. (1998). Reaching Out. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan.
Many great saints have described their religious experiences, and many lesser saints have systematised them into different phases, levels or stages. These distinctions can be helpful for those who write boks and for those who use themto instruct, but it is f great importance that we leave teh world of measurements behind when we speak about the life of the spirit. xviii
we can become aware of the different poles between which our lives vacillate and are held in tension. These poles offer the context in which we can speak about teh spiritual life, because they can be recognised by anyone who is striving to live a life in the spirit of Jesus Christ. xix
The first polarity deals with our relationship to ourselves. It is the polarity between loneliness and solitude. The second polarity forms the basis of our relationship to others. This is the polarity between hostility and hospitality. The third , final and most important polarity structures our relationship with God. This is the polarity between illusion and prayer.
During our life we become more aware not only of our crying loneliness but also of our real desire for a solitude of teh heart; we come to the painful realization not only of our cruel hostilities but also of our hope to receive our fellow humans with unconditional hospitality; and underneath all of this we discover not only the endless illusions which make us act as if we are masters of our fate but also the precarious gift of prayer hidden in the depth of our innermost self. xix
The hospitable teacher has to reveal to the students that they have something to offer.... teachers who can detach themselves from their need to impress and control, and can allow themselves to become receptive for the news that their students carry with them , will find it is in receptivity that gifts become visible.... what is reveled as good, worthwhile or as a new contrbution, needs to be affirmed 61
As long as we are lonely, we cannot be hospitable because as lonely people we cannot create free space. Our own need to still our inner cravings of loneliness makes us cling to others instead of creating space for them. 73
Someone who is filled with ideas, concepts, opinions and convictions cannot be a good host. There is no inner space to listen, no openess to discover the gift of the other. 75
To reach a really non-violent intimacy , we have to unmask our illusion of immortality, fully accept death as our human destiny and reach out beyond the limits of our existence to our God out of whose intimacy we are born. 89
Waiting patiently in expectation is the foundation of the spiritual is the foundation of the spiritual life (Simone Weil).
Illusion that we know what life is all about, that we rule it and determine its values as well as its goals.
99
Without inspiring guides , it is very difficult to remain faithful to the desire to find our own way. It is a hrad and often lonely search and we constantly need new insights, support and comfort to persevere. The really great saints of history don't ask for imitation. Their way was unique and cannot be repeated. But they invite us into their lives and offer a hospitable space for our own search. Some yurn us off amd make us fee uneasy; others even irritate us, but among the many great spiritual men and woemn in history we may find a few, or amybe just one or two, who speak teh language of our heart and give us courage. These our our guidess .Not to be imitated but to help us live our lives just as authentically as they lived ours. When we have found such guides we have good reason to be grateful ad even better raesons to listen attentively to what they have to say. 107
The movement from illusion to prayer requires a gradual detachment from all false ties and increasing surender to him from all good things come. 116
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we can become aware of the different poles between which our lives vacillate and are held in tension. These poles offer the context in which we can speak about teh spiritual life, because they can be recognised by anyone who is striving to live a life in the spirit of Jesus Christ. xix
The first polarity deals with our relationship to ourselves. It is the polarity between loneliness and solitude. The second polarity forms the basis of our relationship to others. This is the polarity between hostility and hospitality. The third , final and most important polarity structures our relationship with God. This is the polarity between illusion and prayer.
During our life we become more aware not only of our crying loneliness but also of our real desire for a solitude of teh heart; we come to the painful realization not only of our cruel hostilities but also of our hope to receive our fellow humans with unconditional hospitality; and underneath all of this we discover not only the endless illusions which make us act as if we are masters of our fate but also the precarious gift of prayer hidden in the depth of our innermost self. xix
The hospitable teacher has to reveal to the students that they have something to offer.... teachers who can detach themselves from their need to impress and control, and can allow themselves to become receptive for the news that their students carry with them , will find it is in receptivity that gifts become visible.... what is reveled as good, worthwhile or as a new contrbution, needs to be affirmed 61
As long as we are lonely, we cannot be hospitable because as lonely people we cannot create free space. Our own need to still our inner cravings of loneliness makes us cling to others instead of creating space for them. 73
Someone who is filled with ideas, concepts, opinions and convictions cannot be a good host. There is no inner space to listen, no openess to discover the gift of the other. 75
To reach a really non-violent intimacy , we have to unmask our illusion of immortality, fully accept death as our human destiny and reach out beyond the limits of our existence to our God out of whose intimacy we are born. 89
Waiting patiently in expectation is the foundation of the spiritual is the foundation of the spiritual life (Simone Weil).
Illusion that we know what life is all about, that we rule it and determine its values as well as its goals.
99
Without inspiring guides , it is very difficult to remain faithful to the desire to find our own way. It is a hrad and often lonely search and we constantly need new insights, support and comfort to persevere. The really great saints of history don't ask for imitation. Their way was unique and cannot be repeated. But they invite us into their lives and offer a hospitable space for our own search. Some yurn us off amd make us fee uneasy; others even irritate us, but among the many great spiritual men and woemn in history we may find a few, or amybe just one or two, who speak teh language of our heart and give us courage. These our our guidess .Not to be imitated but to help us live our lives just as authentically as they lived ours. When we have found such guides we have good reason to be grateful ad even better raesons to listen attentively to what they have to say. 107
The movement from illusion to prayer requires a gradual detachment from all false ties and increasing surender to him from all good things come. 116
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