I finished reading Ron Rolheiser’s excellent book The Holy Longing: The Search for a Christian Spirituality yesterday. Rolheiser is Catholic, a member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, and is clearly a fan of Henri Nouwen.

Rolheiser begins by making a case for certain essential elements of a Christian spirituality. I didn’t buy everything he said in this section, as some of his points were unsupported assertions that assumed a shared theological background, but I enjoyed his chapters on the roots of spirituality in the incarnation of Christ.

There’s an excellent chapter on social justice, and despite Rolheiser’s celibacy, he has a remarkably insightful and comprehensive perspective on human sexuality in the latter portion of the book. While reminiscent of the writings of Henri Nouwen, The Holy Longing strikes a balance with the average person that Nouwen - who, like Rolheiser, led a deeply contemplative life - never did for me.

The core of Rolheiser’s argument is that spirituality is about channeling our desires, our passions, in life-giving ways. If these desires are either out of control or dampened entirely, inflation or depression - explosion or implosion - inevitably occurs, leading to a fractured self.

In an age when arguments for or against a particular practice on strictly moral grounds seem tired or antiquated, The Holy Longing masterfully links time-honored mores with an insightful analysis of the influence on the self that these practices have. It’s not a book about morals or spiritual disciplines per se, but about nurturing a spiritual life that is truly life-giving.

If you’ve read dozens of books on spiritual disciplines, or are just getting started in the topic, The Holy Longing will be worth your time for its refreshing perspective and readable, almost meditative prose.