I want to personally welcome you to this special site devoted to celebrating and promoting the life and work of one of my spiritual heroes: Henri Nouwen. People all over the world have been extraordinarily impacted by the life of this "imperfect" saint of God. I invite you to join me in the continuing exploration of Nouwen's unique spirituality, a spirituality that points us to Jesus, who specializes in working through imperfect vessels like you and me. On this welcome page, I freely share both my collected as well as random thoughts about Nouwen: his life, his work, his all-encompassing relationship — with God, with others, and with himself.

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  "This book about the dynamics of the spiritual journey is
  an excellent book and I heartily recommend it."
  
  David G. Benner, PhD
  psychologist, lecturer, and author
• 
  "Through the wisdom of Henri Nouwen, Wil offers us an
  essential contribution to the field of spirituality. I highly
  recommend his book for anyone seeking to bring their
  spiritual life to new depths."
  
  Christine Valters Paintner, PhD
  Director of Abbey of the Arts
• 
  "Wil's book is an important addition to the growing
  corpus of Nouwen studies. While it makes for an excellent
  introduction to Nouwen's thought, it will also not
  disappoint the Nouwen aficionados."
  
  Simon Chan
  Trinity Theological College, Singapore
• 
  "This work is both informational and inspirational. It
  offers a significant contribution to the Nouwen materials
  and is well worth reading on many levels."
  
  Jeannette Bakke
  author, spiritual director and retreat leader
• 
  "This book will be a delight to those who are walking the
  journey with Nouwen; a challenge to those who question
  the validity of such a journey; and a danger to those who
  have domesticated the journey to their own liking."
  
  M. Robert Mulholland, Jr.
  author of Invitation to a Journey
• 
  "Wil is a teacher and a guide for all of us who wrestle
  with the challenges and questions of journeying
  spiritually in a secular society."
  
  Sue Mosteller, CSJ
  Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust
• 
  "Henri Nouwen and Spiritual Polarities is a masterful
  guide through the vast landscape of
  Henri Nouwen's thought."
  
  Evan B. Howard
  director of Spirituality Shoppe: An Evangelical Center
  for the Study of Christian Spirituality
• "In this third book of his trilogy on Nouwen's spirituality,
  Wil offers a considerable gift to those of us on the journey
  toward Christian spiritual maturity. Scripturally based, his
  clarity and humility of voice make
  this book a compelling read."
  
  Norvene Vest
  spiritual director and author
• "Henri Nouwen's practice of 'befriending' is an invitation
  to embrace our fullness precisely because we invite
  both sorrow and love, untidiness and beauty, into
  our exquisitely human world. Wil's portrait of
  Nouwen's life of tension is
  grace-giving indeed."
  
  Terry Hershey
  author of The Power of Pause
• "Applying Richard Rohr's insight of 'nondualistic
  consciousness,' Wil offers a compelling portrait,
  not only of Henri's tension-filled life, but the
  inner terrain of nearly everyone who attempts
  to resolve the complexities, contradictions,
  and polarities of their spiritual experience."
  
  Michael J. Christensen, PhD
  Associate Professor of Spirituality, Drew University
• 
  "Wil's third book is well-written and helpful, containing
  many gems of spiritual wisdom. I highly recommend it as
  essential reading for a fuller understanding of Henri
  Nouwen, and a deeper spiritual life in Christ."
  
  Rev. Siang-Yang Tan, PhD
  professor of psychology, Fuller Theological Seminary
• "Wil masterfully weaves Nouwen's words into a tapestry
  that clearly and insightfully conveys the intricacies and
  complexities involved in both/and thinking and its
  ramifications for the living of life
  and the doing of ministry."
  
  Larry Warner
  author of Journey with Jesus
• 
  "This reflective and insightful book will help all ministers
  and those who support them on the journey inward,
  outward, and Godward."
  
  Michael Horan, PhD
  Chair of Theological Studies,
  Loyola Marymount University
• 
  "Wil has a knack for summarizing Nouwen's prolific
  writings without draining the life out of them. What an
  important figure Nouwen is today, and what a great
  service Wil provides in writing this book!"
  
  Jerry P. Haas
  spiritual director, Upper Room Ministries
• "Wil has already established himself as one of the leading
  interpreters of Henri Nouwen's work. This final book in
  his triology on Nouwen is a must read for Nouwen
  enthusiasts and those seeking wholeness in our
  fragmented, dualistic world."
  
  Ken Brewer, PhD
  Chair, Department of Theology at
  Spring Arbor University
• "Nouwen is our generation's Kierkegaard. Like
  Kierkegaard, he helps introduce us to ourselves.
  Wil aids us in the next step; he wonderfully
  introduces us to Nouwen. You won't be
  disappointed in this book."
  
  Ron Rolheiser
  president, Oblate School of Theology
• 
  "Henri Nouwen has never been more wisely and warmly
  presented than he is here. Wil has done a superb job of
  giving us the great man at his best and most accessible."
  
  Phyllis Tickle
  compiler of The Divine Hours
• 
  "Henri Nouwen's writings—and the witness of his life—
  have been a marvelous gift to the Christian community.
  Wil's assessment of Nouwen's legacy—set forth here with
  sensitivity and wisdom—is also a gift!"
  
  Dr. Richard Mouw
  president, Fuller Theological Seminary
• "Wil's work provides an insightful and integrative
  overview of his spiritual life. As one who has been
  privileged to be in Nouwen's presence, I found
  myself saying 'Yes! Yes!' as I read. This book
  truly brings him to life!"
  
  Margaret Guenther
  author of Holy Listening
• "Wil has gloriously brought the tensions of Nouwen's
  theology and life into a dance of tension and goodness.
  This is a stunning book."
  
  Dan B. Allender, PhD
  founding president,
  The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology
• "Wil has created as good a road map for navigating the
  challenges and healing potential of the human journey
  as I have read. Using his deep understanding of
  Nouwen's words, he shows us the truth of Nouwen's
  claim that 'suffering is not an obstacle to joy
  and peace, but the means to it.'"
  
  Paula D'Arcy
  author and speaker