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A review by crystalisreading
Meditations of the Heart by Howard Thurman
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.
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.