Discernment: Reading the Signs of Daily Life

By: Henri Nouwen

Narrated by: Joe Abbey-Colborne

From the best-selling author of The Return of the Prodigal Son, essential listening for Christians, Catholics, and all spiritual seekers.

In a world where our minds are distracted by constant stimuli, it’s easy to lose our connection to God. Henri Nouwen was known for his keen ability to find spiritual clarity amid the chatter, a gift he shared throughout his life in his roles as a Catholic priest, counselor, teacher, and author.

Although Nouwen achieved great fame for his popular books, many of his teachings on spiritual discernment were never recorded. Today, Nouwen fans like you can enjoy this spiritually edifying compendium of works on this topic published posthumously.

Available as an audiobook for the first time ever, Discernment: Reading the Signs of Daily Life invites you to adopt Nouwen as your personal spiritual guide.

Each session was carefully prepared by Dr. Michael Christensen, an award-winning professor of Christian ministry and practice, and Dr. Rebecca Laird, who was Nouwen’s student at Yale Divinity School. Like other volumes in The Nouwen Trilogy, this audiobook collects Nouwen’s unpublished homilies, interviews, classes, and speeches, as well as excerpts from his published writings. Editing these works into a cohesive and definitive guide to the Christian life, Drs. Christensen and Laird memorialize his popular teachings.

By listening to Nouwen’s teachings on discernment, you’ll learn that God’s presence is all around you, if you only know where to look.

This course is part of the Learn25 collection.

©2019 Now You Know Media (P)2019 Now You Know Media

Critic reviews

“Henri Nouwen was one of the greatest spiritual masters of our time. This exciting new collection gathers together in one volume Nouwen’s wisdom about, insights on, and practice of spiritual discernment. It is, therefore, a treasure for all believers.” (James Martin, SJ, author of The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything)

"For most people, the very word discernment implies something heady, private, and maybe even elitist. Henri Nouwen, as always, makes seemingly complex things personal, practical, intelligent, and very readable - all at the same time! This is a rich and helpful book.” (Richard Rohr, O.F.M., author of Falling Upward)

“Henri Nouwen’s writing is mystical, heartfelt, and wonder-filled. He has helped shape a whole generation of Christianity, and his legacy is still being written. I can’t think of a better teacher on discernment. Read it, live it, and transform the world by doing small things with great love.” (Shane Claiborne, author, activist, and wounded healer)

Presence

The peace and the need to practice the exercises of discerning the situations and challenges of my life.

Amazing!!

One of my Favorite books!!
I listened to it over and over. Very transformational and authentic.

Enlightenment & Spirituality in Their Purest Forms

First of all, I feel great. This is not an audiobook, it is a life-changing experience. It is excellent, mature, and thought-provoking. Most people who get lost somehow spiritually know Henri Nouwen well. I read The Return of the Prodigal Son, The Wounded Healer, and Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World and Henri had a great influence on me when I was in the middle of spiritual crisis. His books are on my to-read and after listening to this course, I will make 2020 about Henri Nouwen.

Once the course ended, I was full of eternal light. I know that I am always lost but I have hope that spirituality will save my life and Henri makes this hope possible. My vision is now clear and I can see God in everything around me right now. I will open my heart and remember who I am and what I am doing here from now on. I became more aware of God’s presence. God is greater than my senses, my mind, and my heart. I even feel that God’s light has touched my heart and soul.

I have to say that Dr. Michael and Dr. Rebecca made great work too. I felt love and calmness through the voice of the narrator.
Thank you, everyone, for this course! It changed my life.

Beautifully Presented

A great writer and person. Fr Nouwen was an openly vulnerable person whose writing reflects his empathy and Christian spirit. This book does his life and work justice.

Calming & soothing for the soul

What a find! Henri Nouwen was one of the greatest spiritual teachers of our time, and he lives on through his writings. Now, though, Learn25 has brought us something new from this master. Of course this is not literally new, but these are previously unpublished teachings respectfully brought together by Nouwen scholars. I so enjoyed what he says on discernment, which is seeing – really looking carefully and SEEING – and then choosing. If we remember to discern ourselves, for example, as beings filled with love, beings worthy of love, we choose our own greatest blessing. It's a life-changing affirmation I needed to be reminded of. Indeed: there is nothing new under the sun, but there is a great deal we forget or leave undiscovered: until a master like Nouwen shows us the way.

Listening to this Audiobook .. Taught me to Listen

Nouwen has some great insights here about how to discern God's true will for you, right where you are. This discernment is not an exercise in how to better plan your life to acquire new things. Rather, it involves praying, reflecting on the scriptures, ideally volunteering with the poor and ultimately listening to God for guidance. I highly recommend this audiobook as Nouwen's words are timeless and the narrator (Joe Abbey-Colbourne) has a soothing and steady voice.

Life changing

I am so grateful to have learned of Henri Nouwen and to have listened to this book. The contents of this book have challenged me to see my relationship with God using a wider lens, opened me up to more possibilities of intimacy with God, convicted me of beliefs which became roadblocks, and inspired me to a surrendered place where I can enjoy an abundant life that is not based on my wants, but God’s creativity! I wish I could have given this book to my younger self and those new in faith within contemporary Christian frameworks.

Open, humble, caring

Henry Nouwen is thoughtful, vulnerable, passionate about his life and purpose. His language is clear and what I liked the best were the tools he offered for inner strength and connection to the divine in us if we trust to be children of God.

Excellent insight into Divining God's Will

The insights provided in this title by the author will provide a continuing source of guidance on my spiritual path.

I am a servant of God.

In suffering comes joy and peace. Join the yoke of Jesus. Welcome moments of suffering. Live in a spirit of the attitudes. Seek divine unity.