Henri Nouwen on Suffering and Joy

In our society, we learn to hide our grief, to suppress our joy, to fight darkness with darkness. We are like Jesus's generation, to whom he says "We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not cry" (Luke 7:32). Now spiritual master Henri Nouwen helps you practice Christian healing through both suffering and joy. As you learn to embrace mourning as a means of healing, you will discover true life in the Spirit. You will embody the beatitude "Blessed are those who mourn." In the first half of the series, you will come to understand how you are called to be a healer. Christ sent us the Spirit to reveal the depths of God's love. And life in the Spirit requires both mourning your losses and dancing in joy. This, Nouwen says, is the spirit of healing. Then, you will deepen your relationship with the divine. Instead of trying to fight evil with darkness, you will learn to practice Christian healing. By embracing your fears and losses, you will reclaim your identity as a beloved child of God. Throughout these talks, Nouwen weaves together Scripture, his own experiences of suffering, and compassionate insights gleaned from a lifetime of spiritual reflection. Let him help you find true healing and dwell with the Holy Spirit.