Inspiration for A Nouwen Network

“I have called you friends.” ~ John 16:15

Henri Nouwen [pronounced Henry Now-win] (1932 - 1996) ranks as one of the most significant spiritual leaders of our time. He is a well recognized priest, theologian, psychologist, and author whose life was affected by mental health issues. His interests were rooted primarily in psychology, pastoral ministry, spirituality, social justice and community. His distinctive vision is very clearly expressed by The Henri Nouwen Society, which is based in United States and Canada.

This passage from their website speaks of his vision of community:

…”In his years teaching at Notre Dame, Yale and Harvard, in his ministry to the privileged and the poor, in his hundreds of sermons and lectures, and in his thirty-five books, Henri Nouwen sketched out for us a vision of community that is inclusive, compassionate, creative and, most importantly, sustainable.

Nouwen’s vision is distinctive because it represents a spirituality of relatedness that leaves nothing and no one out. It is distinctive because while it is grounded in humility and inclusive receptivity, it simultaneously invites each community member to claim his or her creativity and power in a wholeness shaped by the spirit.”

“A friend is more than a therapist or a confessor, even though a friend can sometimes heal us and offer us God's forgiveness.

A friend is that other person with whom we can share our solitude, our silence, and our prayer.

A friend is that other person with whom we can look at a tree and say "Isn't that beautiful," or sit on the beach and silently watch the sun disappear under the horizon. With a friend we don't have to say or do something special.

With a friend we can be still and know that God is there with both of us.”

― Henri J.M. Nouwen,

2010

Henri Nouwen suggests that to ‘truly love’ people we need to ‘know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but you truly love them.’

photo by Frank Hamilton

“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.”

- Henri J.M. Nouwen, Out of Solitude: Three Meditations on the Christian Life

"...all I want to say to you is, "You are the Beloved," and all I hope is that you can hear these words as spoken to you with all the tenderness and force that love can hold. My only desire is to make these words reverberate in every corner of your being--'You are the Beloved.'"

- Henri Nouwen, from Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World

The Flannel Flower is Australia’s symbol for Mental Health Awareness because of it's resilience and adaptability.

“The Flannel Flower, as with all native Australian plants, needs to be adaptable and enduring in order to survive. In the same way all of us, regardless of our life circumstances, develop resilience and the ability to adapt to change, in order to maintain good mental health."

(Mental Health Council of Australia 2000)

The Flannel Flower, an Australian native, has been chosen as a symbol of mental health awareness. With the exception of one species found in New Zealand, Flannel flowers are uniquely Australian.

Varieties of the Flannel flower are commonly found growing wild in the bush. The Australian bush has an inherent beauty and strength, yet is also a landscape known for its extremes. As with all Australian natives, the Flannel flower must be adaptable and enduring in order to survive. In this way, the flower reflects qualities that we all need to maintain good mental health.

All of us, regardless of our life circumstances, need to develop coping strategies such as resilience and the ability to adapt to change. The Flannel flower symbolises the importance of being aware of mental health issues and the efforts that are being made to help those who experience mental illnesses.

The entire plant is covered with a soft, silky down, and it has velvety white petals tipped with sage-green. The leaves have a lot of character, and are tipped with a grey-green colour. The Flannel flower, because of its soft texture, encourages contact and is thought to help people express their feelings verbally and to develop sensitivity.

The plant flowers all year round, but predominantly in spring and summer, at just the right time for World Mental Health Day and other National Mental Health Week activities in October.

The Flannel flower badge was launched by the Mental Health Council of Australia during Mental Health Week 2000.

Badges can be obtained by contacting the MHCA.

Mental Health Council of Australia, PO Box 174, DEAKIN WEST, ACT 2600

Email admin@mhca.com.au

The MHA page on the Flannel Flower

This Flannel Flower image was used in A Nouwen Network’s printed materials from June 2011 -

Helen’s Cards 2013 -

The ‘logo’ used for A Nouwen Network

from September 2015 -

NOTHING CONTAINED ON THE WEBSITE IS INTENDED TO CONSTITUTE, NOR SHOULD IT BE CONSIDERED, MEDICAL ADVICE

OR TO SERVE AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.