Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Nouwen Meditation: Advent Attitude

Now & Then Podcast


Leading contemporary artist and cultural influencer, Makoto Fujimura’s art and writing embody themes of healing, hope and redemption. On this episode of Henri Nouwen Now & Then, Mako shares his deep faith and his vision of what artists have to offer the Church.


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DAILY MEDITATION | DECEMBER 6, 2023

Advent Attitude

In the beginner’s mind there is no thought ‘I have attained something.’ All self-centered thoughts limit our vast mind. When we have no thought of achievement, no thought of self, we are true beginners. Then we can really learn something. The beginner’s mind is the mind of compassion. When our mind is compassionate, it is boundless.”


I like these words. Also very important for Advent. Open, free, flexible, receptive. That is the attitude that makes us ready. I realize that in Zen you are not expecting anything or anyone. Still, it seems that all the things Shunryu Suzuki tells his students are important for Christians to hear and realize. Isn’t a beginner’s mind, a mind without the thought “I have attained something,” a mind opened for grace? Isn’t that the mind of children who marvel at all they see? Isn’t that the mind not filled with worries for tomorrow but alert and awake in the present moment?

Henri J. M. Nouwen
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When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."


LUKE 2:15 (NIV)

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Text excerpts taken from "You are the Beloved"

by Henri J.M. Nouwen

© 2017 by The Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust.

Published by Convergent Books.

Photo from unsplash.com.

Scripture reading contributed by L. Yeskoo.


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