Desire Quote by Henri J.M. Nouwen
““Aren't you, like me, hoping that some person, thing, or event will come along to give you that final feeling of inner well-being you desire? Don't you often hope: 'May this book, idea, course, trip, job, country or relationship fulfill my deepest desire.' But as long as you are waiting for that mysterious moment you will go on running helter-skelter, always anxious and restless, always lustful and angry, never fully satisfied. You know that this is the compulsiveness that keeps us going and busy, but at the same time makes us wonder whether we are getting anywhere in the long run. This is the way to spiritual exhaustion and burn-out. This is the way to spiritual death.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Inner Voice of Love by Henri Nouwen, 1996
People often chase external sources for lasting happiness, leading to perpetual anxiety and burnout, rather than cultivating inner peace.
In simple terms: Seeking fulfillment outside oneself causes restless dissatisfaction.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate inner well‑being instead of waiting for external fixes.
Themes
spirituality
well‑being
anxiety
burnout
self‑growth
Mood
restless
anxious
hopeful
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- career stress
- relationship expectations
- personal development
- mental health
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
mindfulness
inner peace
attachment
compulsiveness
Questions to Reflect On
- What inner practice could replace your reliance on external validation?
- How might you recognize when you’re using busyness as a distraction?
A Different Perspective
External pursuits can provide temporary relief but rarely solve deeper existential unrest.
![“Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three [great teachers] did not tell - they catalyzed a burning desire to know. Under their influence, the horizons sprung wide and fear went away and the unknown became knowable. But most important of…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/84c/john-steinbeck-71_art_teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-t_1738.jpg)
