Discernment: Reading the Signs of Daily Life – A Powerful Guide to Spiritual Formation and Finding God's Will

Discernment by Henri Nouwen is at the top if not the best book on spiritual discernment I have read so far. I believe all of us would like to understand better how to discern not just God's voice in our daily lives but also the various signs and calls we sense. This book adds a much needed element to spiritual formation and following God. Preface: What This Book Is About Discernment, is about reading the signs of daily life to “remember God” (memoria Dei), God’s time (kairos). Foreword: Henri’s Way of Discernment Instead of seeking a life free from pain and suffering, we should trust that Jesus is present in our pain and suffering. Henri believed that we can discern the depths of our lives and vocation only if we surrender our ego-centered view of reality. Discernment is a discipline and practice that requires us to cultivate trust, love, faith, hope, and courage. When we accept our complete belovedness, we stop judging ourselves and other people; as a result, other people begin to feel safe with us. Chapter One: Embracing the Practice in Solitude and Community If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. I found that my anger and my desire to be special and to be admired all bubbled up in my times of solitude. Most important is how we read— not to understand or control God, but to be understood and formed by God. Discernment grows out of the life of faith rooted in community. Discernment reveals new priorities, directions, and gifts from God. Our desire to be successful, well liked, and influential becomes increasingly less important as we come closer to God’s heart. We have the freedom to say yes to God’s call and to choose to live it in very specific ways. Thus God has a real chance to form us into lights in the darkness, a source of hope for many in the world. That, after all, is the true goal of spiritual discernment. Make a list of all the activities and desires of your heart that you believe are pleasing to God. Discernment performed alone often can become delusion. We need each other.

I picked up *Discernment* by Nouwen a few weeks ago with a dual interest: I was eager to read the next book in Nouwen's spirituality trilogy and I was beginning to experience new turbulence within my workplace which created desire for wisdom in navigation. What I received was very helpful, very formative guidance in the practice of listening. There wasn't much that was profound, per se, in Nouwen's writing this time, but this is his genius writing on discernment. Discernment isn't wisdom from the sky that enables you to connect the dots toward fulfilling your dreams. Instead, discernment is becoming awake to the Voice of God that we read recorded in the Scriptures and which speaks to us in the same way through friends, experiences, and desires - all which are things that re-member the words we've previously read from the Bible. The goal, Nouwen wrote (and I paraphrase) is to be formed in the likeness of Christ, and to thus participate in God's mission of redemption, right where God has us. So again, the practice of discernment is the practice of listening; it's more an act of submission rather than discovering the route of more control. Early on, *Discernment* writes out a theology of discernment that illumines a true intent for discernment (what I paraphrased above). The remainder of the book takes an memoir-like stroll through Henri's life as he teaches the practice of paying attention to God. These journeys are like journal entries that unpack an earlier statement in the book: "I can see no other path to discernment than to be committed to a life of unceasing prayer and contemplation, a life of deep communion with the Spirit of God. Such a life will slowly develop in us an inner sensitivity, enabling us to distinguish between the law of the flesh and the law of the Spirit." (p.24) My "take-away" from the book is the reminder that to be truly discerning of God's will and desire, one must be immersed in the words and ways of God that are most vividly revealed in the Gospels and the rest of Scripture. Familiarity with God's Voice will make it easier to hear and follow God's will and desires, things that will always end up looking like (and forming us to be like) Jesus. This means that discernment will be hard to receive through a simple trick or through a short stint of prayer, no matter how earnest. A well discerned and well lived life will be the Spirit's gift through a disciplined immersion in the Scriptures, in prayer, in community, and in the presence of the poor. [Final Note: *Discernment*, like Nouwen's *Spiritual Direction* and *Spiritual Formation* are post-humous collections of Henri's thoughts and words taken from class notes, journals, and books. Friends of his have collected these and placed them into a book format that feels quite seamless. They must have known him quite well.]

A good book on Discernment - compilation of the notes of Henri Nouwen by his students - reflection Henri's thoughts on discernment. After reading this I discovered that Discernment of spirits is a life long task. It is commitment to a life of prayer and contemplation, communion with God, which will slowly develop in us an inner sensitivity, being able to distinguish between the ‘law of the flesh and the law of the Spirit.’ To be truly discerning of God’s will, we must immerse ourselves in the ways of God revealed in Scripture. It takes discipline. Becoming familiar with God’s voice will make it easier to hear and pursue His will in our everyday life. Thank you Henri for helping me with this topic.

I loved this book! Henri Nouwen never disappointed me, nor does he ever fail me as a writer! This is my second time going through this book, and it is a more useful resource for discerning how God is moving as a much more mature follower of Jesus Christ. I recommend this book to everyone! It will help you notice God more in your life and heighten your awareness of God's active presence in your life!

I’ve not read this book yet

I read this book quickly to get an overview. My plans are to read it more intentionally again. It is very thought provoking.

love this book so much I bought a second copy. A collection of Henri Nouwen writings compiled after his death.

An easy to read book that anyone would benefit by reading, regardless of religious background. Henri was an amazing teacher, and we all reap the benefits of his insights into life and the Holy Spirit.