Reaching Out Nouwen, H.J.M. (1997): Term Paper

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" In other words, Nouwen writes the book to inspire his readers to work to reach the highest level of being: that of uniting with God. However, because everyone's individual spiritual journey is unique, Nouwen cannot tell one how this journey will take place, but only provide his ideas of what the roadmap should look like. In so doing, Nouwen writes an inspiring and intelligent look at the three most important things in life: relationships to one's self, relationships with others and the relationship one has with God.

I feel this book is complex yet helpful. If read not to find answers but instead to be challenged and to get one thinking about their own personal position in life as compared to others, the surrounding world, and God, then this book delivers beyond expectations. What I like most about Nouwen's theory is how he breaks up the ascension to God in three levels. This makes sense because I am a firm believer that part of being close to God is acting God-like in all areas of your life. Thus, one has to have a caring and kind understanding relationship with oneself and, most importantly, with others.

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Without first establishing these foundational relationships it is preposterous to think one can be united with God. Essentially what Nouwen is saying, and in which I agree, is that in order to be united to God you have to understand God and in order to understand God you have to understand his creations: yourself and others.

The one major question that I have struggled with in reading this book is if one cannot understand God until they understand their relationships with themselves and with others, how does one not create a misunderstanding if they don not first understand how God wants them to see these relationships? In other words, without first understanding God, how can one truly and correctly understand their relationships with themselves and others. Perhaps this is one of the reasons so many so called "religious" people seem to portray negative and un-Godlike relationships with others. Although they think they understand God, they have not yet reached that third level and never will due to their failure to grasp the true meaning of life......

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