Reviews

Meditations of the Heart by Howard Thurman

hollyg35's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

5.0

Amazing man ahead of his time

dougsasser's review against another edition

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2.0

This is a collection of prose and poetry. His language is lyric in nature. Like the work of W.E.B. DuBois, the grandness of his writing makes it hard for me to comprehend.

birdy1luv's review against another edition

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4.0

I'm a fan. These are personal, accessible devotions that are giving me a compass point for starting my day.

rtwilliams16's review against another edition

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3.0

I started reading this book in February as part of a Lenten study and continued to read all of the meditations that Thurman wrote in this collection. It covers numerous topics such as: dreams, judgment, courage, pain of life, humor, enthusiasm, self sacrifice, goodness, and much more. My favorite meditation was titled "The Threads In My Hand". Not every meditation resonated with me. I also did not know this collection was Part 2 following [b:Deep Is the Hunger|798966|Deep Is the Hunger|Howard Thurman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348791442l/798966._SY75_.jpg|784931].

"The Threads In My Hand": https://www.trinityruston.org/devotions/the-thread-in-my-hand/

crystalisreading's review against another edition

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4.0

I've been meaning to read Meditations of the Heart, by Howard Thurman, for several years. I believe it was Kaitlin Curtice who recommended his writing in her first book, so I acquired a copy, and then as usual let it sit around on my shelves until the mood struck. Well, the pandemic struck first, and with extra time at home and extra worries on my mind, what better time to read some reflections on life and faith and belief from a man who'd lived through a few troubled times of his own and helped lead others to better lives through those times?

This isn't a book to gobble up in one setting. I read it over the course of several months, reading a section or two every day or so, when I was in the mood for reflection. Thurman's writing is gentle and relatable, but it is also slightly formal and old-fashioned, and I found myself having to read and reread passages sometimes to fully understand what Thurman was trying to say. This pandemic has really been terrible on my reading focus and comprehension, so perhaps reading this book was good for me in multiple ways, as reading practice as well as for spiritual reflections.

I can see how this book has been cherished for so long. Thurman writes with great insight and compassion about the nearly universal internal struggles in the hearts and minds of humans, especially humans who seek to faithfully observe Christianity. There were so many passages that I found very relatable--my copy is highlighted and bookmarked and dogeared, and I've shared multiple passages with friends. This year questions of doubt and fear and anxiety and faith and peace and calm seemed especially relevant, but there were other passages that spoke to me as well, reflections of mindfulness and thankfulness and kindness and forgiveness. The writing is challenging as much as it is comforting, and I feel like this is a book I both need and want to return to later, to absorb more of the wisdom and comfort Thurman shared with us. Pick this up if you need some gentle Christian comfort and counsel that you can read in small segments. Just be aware that the more formal academic language may require some extra concentration when you do so.

bookishlee's review against another edition

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5.0

I savored this book bit by bit, over several months. Thurman's gentle and nuanced wisdom is a balm for the soul.

juliash's review

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emotional inspiring slow-paced

4.0

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