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The Language of the Soul: Meeting God in the Longings of Our Hearts
For over fifteen years, writer Jeff Crosby has been searching for a language of the soul--a way to articulate our deepest longings. Through the years he gathered clues from within global music styles, from different cultures, from his own Christian tradition and its sacred texts--and from deep within himself.
A lover of words, he sought not only to translate our longings into words but to understand why these seemingly universal yearnings have long remained unnamed. Now in these pages, Crosby gifts us with those so-often-untranslatable desires of our hearts, guiding us to finally find the words and luminous insights for our own longings for home, for friendship, for forgiveness, and for transformation--and how God meets us in the midst of these longings. Eschewing easy answers, Crosby begins the naming process, helping us to make connections--and to recognize, within ourselves and our faith, our heart's true home.
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A lover of words, he sought not only to translate our longings into words but to understand why these seemingly universal yearnings have long remained unnamed. Now in these pages, Crosby gifts us with those so-often-untranslatable desires of our hearts, guiding us to finally find the words and luminous insights for our own longings for home, for friendship, for forgiveness, and for transformation--and how God meets us in the midst of these longings. Eschewing easy answers, Crosby begins the naming process, helping us to make connections--and to recognize, within ourselves and our faith, our heart's true home.
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- GenresNonfictionFaith
234 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 23, 2023
24 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 6, 2023
This book was good for the soul. The first gift of The Language of the Soul is that it sees beyond general discontent and ennui to name and describe ten deep longings. Naming and differentiating these longings from each other helped me understand myself better. For example, "Longing for the Undivided Life" spoke to me about the hazards of an expectation-filled life. I found myself resonating most strongly with a subset of the longings, and some I recognized as longings more in my past than in my present, which helped me think through both a timeline and a map forward for myself.
Author Jeff Crosby incorporates bits of memoir in with each chapter, making each topic relatable and memorable. Another unique element that makes the book relatable is the playlist accompanying each chapter--listed at the end of each chapter and also compiled on Spotify. This added richness and depth to the reading experience.
Finally, Crosby offers recommendations for living into each longing, with great spiritual insight out of his experience and interaction with both modern spiritual classics and those that should be classics. I finished the book with more spiritual clarity, several spiritual practices to incorporate, and many additions to my reading list.
Author Jeff Crosby incorporates bits of memoir in with each chapter, making each topic relatable and memorable. Another unique element that makes the book relatable is the playlist accompanying each chapter--listed at the end of each chapter and also compiled on Spotify. This added richness and depth to the reading experience.
Finally, Crosby offers recommendations for living into each longing, with great spiritual insight out of his experience and interaction with both modern spiritual classics and those that should be classics. I finished the book with more spiritual clarity, several spiritual practices to incorporate, and many additions to my reading list.
May 26, 2023
What should be rather than what is. . . . Jeff Crosby says we carry our deepest longings with us and they shape our lives whether or not we acknowledge or understand them. Some of us discover and grapple with these longings intuitively and some of us are nudged by the twists and turns of life. But all of us who are living between the now and the not yet will find in this book an experienced, sympathetic, and generous guide to understanding our own selves—our own souls. If you feel the need for a spiritual “reset” after the past several tumultuous years, you need this book!
June 18, 2023
I would give this book 3.5 stars. I really enjoyed the first half of the book and felt a bit “meh” about the second half. I read it based on Suzanne Stabile’s recommendation. There was a lot that I did like (and learn) from the first part of the book focused on our “interior longings.” Part II was more focused on friendship, community and meaningful work. All are valid, but not as interesting as the interior focus.
July 22, 2023
Over these past few years, I have found myself yearning and longing in hard-to-define ways. This book honors those feelings and builds a structure so one may examining them. The author gives many paths to do that: through words, music, nature, and faith.
This could be read straight through or by chapter as a resource when life changes and shifts.
For anyone who wants to gently ponder their own longings, I highly recommend this book.
This could be read straight through or by chapter as a resource when life changes and shifts.
For anyone who wants to gently ponder their own longings, I highly recommend this book.
September 3, 2024
Such a delightful book — full of insight from not just the author but from others he has learned from. I especially liked the playlists that goes with each chapter, I’ve learned some new meaningful songs. The longing of our past & the longing of our future — Saudade!!
May 9, 2023
There are certain desires that are unique to each of us, but there are other bedrock desires that we all share as human beings made in the image of God. In his book "The Language of the Soul," Jeff Crosby beautifully and powerfully articulates our souls' deepest longings and in the process shows us how those longings ultimately point to the desire above all desires--God. The longing for home, for friendship, for meaningful work, for peace, for heaven--through truly touching stories and frequent references to songs, Crosby walks us through ten longings that nearly every reader will sense is a longing of their own. "The Language of the Soul" is a deeply meaningful book whose pages will move you in the depths of your soul, reminding you that those little whispers of who you were made to be are beckoning you to something bigger, better, and everlasting. Highly recommended!
May 6, 2023
My friend Jeff has put to words that I was unable to express. I long for so much more. This life is beautiful but incomplete without going to Jesus, to truly walk with him, and share the burden of weariness. What comfort this book has given me. It truly is beautiful and worth every moment.
April 8, 2024
This book is delightful. Crosby's prose is lush, vivid, and sensitive. He grips his readers' attention quickly with insights that make you feel like you've known him for decades. We can all see ourselves in this story, and because Crosby has shared his with hope, we feel hopeful, too.
June 7, 2023
Summary: A survey of the deepest longings of the human soul, within ourselves, for our world, and for the eternal.
Saudade. A word from the Portuguese that, strictly so, is untranslatable. Words like longing, yearning, nostalgia, the burning hearts of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. It is the desire for something more that takes us into the realm of the spiritually transcendent. Jeff Crosby believes these longings are the beckoning of God, speaking to the language of our hearts.
Crosby has been reflecting on these longings for much of his life and gestating this book for the past fifteen years amid a busy career in publishing. In this work, he weaves his own experiences, the thoughts of other pilgrims, and the strands of music that have been another of his great loves to identify ten longings of the heart:
The longing for home
The longing for an undivided self
The longing for forgiveness received and extended
The longing for friendship
The longing for spiritual transformation
The longing for peace
The longing for community
The longing to be freed from unhealthy fear and anxiety
The longing for meaningful work
The longing for heaven, our hearts true home
It’s striking to me that these longings are framed by our longing for home. I think of how I treasure the hours I spend in the various comfortable and pleasing spaces in and around my own home and yet revel in images of beautiful homes (usually with a library, leather chairs, and a fireplace looking out on a beautiful vista). We call our home Rivendell, after the refuge of Elrond in the Lord of the Rings, the last homely house. It strikes me we all long for that house, which Crosby identifies with the longing for heaven that we glimpse in those “thin places” where heaven is barely veiled–a passage of music, a scene in nature, a description in literature, a poem.
In between, Crosby explores the longings that permeate our existence. He invites us to recognize our discontent with fragmented, divided lives and to pursue the solitude, silence, and wise direction that is the path to a seamless existence. He shares his own experience of a panic attack and the practices of examen to recognize the presence of God amid the anxiety-producing concerns of our lives. He likens the burden of our own transgressions and grievances toward others as a rock-filled pack that confession and forgiveness of ourselves and others helps us unload. He speaks of a marketing meeting with one of the leaders of the Empty Hands Fellowship for a book project that was set aside because of a family in need in an unhealthy, mold-filled shack, exemplifying the richness of community we often only long for. He speaks of anam cara friends who never “should” on us, and take that away from us when we try to do it to ourselves. And this just from half of the ten longings.
As I mentioned, song as well as scripture and literature has been important to Crosby and one of the treats is that he offers a playlist for saudade and for each of the longings at the end of each chapter. I haven’t created all of these playlists but was able to create a playlist on Spotify for his Saudade playlist and suspect one can find most or all of his recommendations on a music streaming service.
Along the way, we learn from many of the spiritual writers Crosby has worked with over the years of his publishing career, yet Crosby weaves these into his own “playlist” as well, exploring our longings and the practices that draw us to the one in whom our longings find their fulfillment. As I read, I felt I was listening to one, still on the way, and yet living a purposeful, increasingly seamless vocation moving joyfully toward his, and our hearts true home.
________________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher.
Saudade. A word from the Portuguese that, strictly so, is untranslatable. Words like longing, yearning, nostalgia, the burning hearts of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. It is the desire for something more that takes us into the realm of the spiritually transcendent. Jeff Crosby believes these longings are the beckoning of God, speaking to the language of our hearts.
Crosby has been reflecting on these longings for much of his life and gestating this book for the past fifteen years amid a busy career in publishing. In this work, he weaves his own experiences, the thoughts of other pilgrims, and the strands of music that have been another of his great loves to identify ten longings of the heart:
The longing for home
The longing for an undivided self
The longing for forgiveness received and extended
The longing for friendship
The longing for spiritual transformation
The longing for peace
The longing for community
The longing to be freed from unhealthy fear and anxiety
The longing for meaningful work
The longing for heaven, our hearts true home
It’s striking to me that these longings are framed by our longing for home. I think of how I treasure the hours I spend in the various comfortable and pleasing spaces in and around my own home and yet revel in images of beautiful homes (usually with a library, leather chairs, and a fireplace looking out on a beautiful vista). We call our home Rivendell, after the refuge of Elrond in the Lord of the Rings, the last homely house. It strikes me we all long for that house, which Crosby identifies with the longing for heaven that we glimpse in those “thin places” where heaven is barely veiled–a passage of music, a scene in nature, a description in literature, a poem.
In between, Crosby explores the longings that permeate our existence. He invites us to recognize our discontent with fragmented, divided lives and to pursue the solitude, silence, and wise direction that is the path to a seamless existence. He shares his own experience of a panic attack and the practices of examen to recognize the presence of God amid the anxiety-producing concerns of our lives. He likens the burden of our own transgressions and grievances toward others as a rock-filled pack that confession and forgiveness of ourselves and others helps us unload. He speaks of a marketing meeting with one of the leaders of the Empty Hands Fellowship for a book project that was set aside because of a family in need in an unhealthy, mold-filled shack, exemplifying the richness of community we often only long for. He speaks of anam cara friends who never “should” on us, and take that away from us when we try to do it to ourselves. And this just from half of the ten longings.
As I mentioned, song as well as scripture and literature has been important to Crosby and one of the treats is that he offers a playlist for saudade and for each of the longings at the end of each chapter. I haven’t created all of these playlists but was able to create a playlist on Spotify for his Saudade playlist and suspect one can find most or all of his recommendations on a music streaming service.
Along the way, we learn from many of the spiritual writers Crosby has worked with over the years of his publishing career, yet Crosby weaves these into his own “playlist” as well, exploring our longings and the practices that draw us to the one in whom our longings find their fulfillment. As I read, I felt I was listening to one, still on the way, and yet living a purposeful, increasingly seamless vocation moving joyfully toward his, and our hearts true home.
________________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher.
February 10, 2024
Here I am checking if others got a little bored before the end because I'm on page 140 of about 180 pages and want to wrap it up and move on.
I really like the first part; Jeff Crosby nails that longing we have for the not yet or the not enough; longing for friendship, forgiveness, home. Crosby writes about our desire to be free from debilitating anxiety and fear. As Christians we can be free from fear and anxiety by "making space for God to speak in solitude and silence and through prayer." All good stuff.
I was turned off by the fear that then seized Crosby in the Covid shutdown; how he too like so many christian leaders cowered at home afraid. I mean, take your own words to heart, dude.
I was also turned off by the necessity to make sure we, the reader, knew he had some black friends. Yay. I knew in his story about helping a woman and her children find housing after discovering mold in their house that the family was black and that one of the two pastors was black. He did not need to tell me that. But because this is a book and not a movie, he felt the need to spell it out. It rings of, "I know black people too; we're tight." Tawdry and unnecessary. And then just to make absolutely clear we understand Crosby is "on the right side" of politics; he has to mention what a pall fell over his soul after the 2016 election. What all that had to do with saudade was lost on me.
So, yes, some good tidbits and some unnecessary sociopolitical blathering.
I really like the first part; Jeff Crosby nails that longing we have for the not yet or the not enough; longing for friendship, forgiveness, home. Crosby writes about our desire to be free from debilitating anxiety and fear. As Christians we can be free from fear and anxiety by "making space for God to speak in solitude and silence and through prayer." All good stuff.
I was turned off by the fear that then seized Crosby in the Covid shutdown; how he too like so many christian leaders cowered at home afraid. I mean, take your own words to heart, dude.
I was also turned off by the necessity to make sure we, the reader, knew he had some black friends. Yay. I knew in his story about helping a woman and her children find housing after discovering mold in their house that the family was black and that one of the two pastors was black. He did not need to tell me that. But because this is a book and not a movie, he felt the need to spell it out. It rings of, "I know black people too; we're tight." Tawdry and unnecessary. And then just to make absolutely clear we understand Crosby is "on the right side" of politics; he has to mention what a pall fell over his soul after the 2016 election. What all that had to do with saudade was lost on me.
So, yes, some good tidbits and some unnecessary sociopolitical blathering.
May 23, 2023
This is the soul didn’t know it needed. I read it during a season in which my soul and spirit desperately needed Shepherding. Jeff Crosby is a gentle and good shepherd as he explains and identifies “saudade”—fleshed out through the longings we carry. I found the chapters on “Home” and “Peace,” especially touched my heart and left their echos there. I incorporated this book into my daily quiet time savoring it chapter by chapter, but I would really like to go through it again in a small group setting. I believe it would cultivate meaningful discussions. This book activated my inner Contemplative, pointing at all things wondrous and poignant through Jeff’s own lived experiences. His love and knowledge of the arts (music, literature, etc.) is nothing short of inspiring. The playlists at the end of each chapter are delightful! As someone who balks at being preached at, Jeff’s gentle and gracious tone felt wonderfully safe. Allowing him to speak into my spiritual formation was effortless. Not only in reading it did I learn about Jeff and his character, but I learned more about myself as I tuned into the longings I often push away. I will be recommending this book to many as a companion on the journey to self-awareness and Christ-likeness.
September 18, 2024
I will give you the opinion that this is a unique book in many aspects and yet should speak to many from all walks of life and faith. Unfortunately, one comment about the 2016 election really ticked me off and soured my taste for the rest of the book. But being the open-minded person that I am I rallied to try to get the most out of his personal stories, applications and longings that can be a focal point in all of our lives. I thought the chapter on fear and anxiety were especially helpful and one that I would share with others on how to maybe cope in the midst of those fears. Certainly, an undivided life has haunted me throughout my life. And it is ironic that I was just talking about how hard it is to have a really good friend (another longing mentioned in the book). The questions for personal reflection and group discussion look like winners plus the recommended reading in the back. I would also have to say that his playlist of music/songs at the end of each chapter is certainly worth the "price of admission".
May 23, 2023
In The Language of the Soul, Jeff Crosby plums the depths of the longings we all know so well: longings for friendship, belonging, home, eternity, and more. In each of these realms, he doesn't shy away from the shadowy places of life, but rather gently invites the reader to behold them, and to mine them for hope and promise. With writing that is itself musical (fitting, considering the underlying themes of music throughout), he offers a journey both through the wisdom of others, gleaned through his extensive and deep reading, as well as his own valuable insights. This is a rich book, a companion and friend on the journey of life that can be so beautiful and good, and also so hard, sometimes in the very same breath.
June 18, 2023
This book was okay. I found the first half of it engaging. I lost interest in the second half but was determined to finish it regardless.
October 31, 2023
Jeff Crosby is a good, kind, and wise man. And this book is a good, kind, and wise read. It is chockful of honesty, care, and inspiration (and not of the sickly sweet kind). Read it!
December 28, 2023
Like sitting over coffee with a good friend, sharing life and stories.
July 30, 2024
Thoughtful and inspiring.
August 19, 2024
Love that this well written and conceived book came with a Spotify soundtrack. Obviously a contemporary of mine, music and content were delivered in soul-growing manner.
March 19, 2024
We all have longings, but it can be difficult to adequately communicate what they are. Jeff Crosby's vulnerability in telling his story throughout The Language of the Soul is a gift that guided my way to listen to my own longings for increased intimacy with God. From forgiveness to spiritual transformation and peace, the journey led me to the longing for heaven, my heart's true home. Accompanying each chapter is a carefully curated playlist that added undeniable richness to my experience. I would highly recommend this book as I plan to re-read it over and over.
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