The Genesee Diary: Report from a Trappist Monastery

Although there are a few gems in this journal, the author's morbid introspection and his praise of bullfighters left me cold.

Have you ever wondered how a monk deals with everday life? This book is written in diary format and is very easy to read. Henri speaks honestly from his heart of the joys and tribulations of monastic life. I found that I'm not alone with alot of the thoughts I have...Henri has had them too. Once I started reading this diary I couldn't hardly put it down!Definately one of the better books I have read in a long time.Also very profound remarks in this book. I'm sure I'll be reading it again.

The Late Henri Nouwen ,of blessed memory, was a Dutch Catholic priest who was able to put his spiritual longings[and lackings] into print and a level that I do not think has been matched in the past century.Certainly, Thomas Merton was a better writer and more influential, though Nouwen gave us his doubt at an unprecendented depth. In this duiary, first published in the mid-70's , he went to Piffard , NY to live with the Trappists of the Genesse for 8 months[he later went back, and produced another book of meditations]It was fortuitous that he met the abbot, Fr John Eudes Bamberger, and found a man to whom he could pour himself out. The abbot [he is still abbot,by the way,and has his own website}is an MD, psychaitrist and a man of deep prayer. Much of the book is the the conferences of Nouwen and the Abbot, though a greter portion is Nouwens musings on life, his frustrations, his enthusiamims[wich were many and childlike in thier intensity] and his prayer.His descriptions of back breaking manuel labor,of sorting raisins{the monks produce a regionally famous bread, called,of course, monks bread]and of normal, everyday fears and phobias are wonderful, insightful and inspiring. The Late Fr. Nouwen wrote scores of books, though thisis in my estimation his finest.

Nouwen takes us behind the walls of a Trappist Monastery, a place one rarely gets to travel. We not only get a glimpse into monastic living, but we are invited to travel deeper into the heart of Henri Nouwen. Nouwen shows us his humanity and struggles. He brings forth the wisdom of community and the comfort of ritual. This book, for me, became my own retreat. The monastery is not a place of escapism, but rather a place that confronts you at the depths of your soul.

i am still reaping the benifits of reading this book. i understand many more people because of this, but most importantly i am seeking God more diligently. the simplicity of the life lived, the simplicity of the lessons learned, and the simplicity in which journaling is established is amazing. God blessed this book for nouwen.

A highly stimulating account of Nouwen's experiences as a "temporary Trappist" (itself a contradiction in terms which he explores with sensitivity). Nouwen is brutally honest in his self-analysis without becoming maudlin or pompous, and his struggle to learn to pray in the midst of distractions from within and without should resonate with people (like me!) who find themselves too often consumed with busyness and the monologues of an undisciplined consciousness. Best of all, Nouwen acknowledges that his time with the Trappists does not solve his problems; rather, it teaches him the rudiments of praise in the midst of problems.