The works in query characterize a particular style of devotional literature impressed by the writings and religious practices of a outstanding theologian. These compilations present a structured strategy to non-public prayer, typically drawing upon themes of compassion, vulnerability, and the seek for inside peace. The target is to facilitate a deeper reference to the divine by means of reflective workouts and curated choices from the writer’s in depth physique of labor.
The worth of such devotional materials lies in its capability to supply steerage and solace during times of religious dryness or uncertainty. These collected prayers and meditations present a framework for people searching for to domesticate a extra significant prayer life. Their enduring attraction displays a unbroken want for accessible assets that encourage contemplation and foster a way of intimacy with a better energy. The writer’s distinctive emphasis on self-acceptance and beauty resonates with many searching for religious development.
Subsequent discussions will discover particular elements of those collections, inspecting recurring themes, the supposed viewers, and the affect these prayer books have had on up to date religious follow. Evaluation may also be given to the precise content material and construction utilized inside such printed compilations of prayer and reflection.
1. Compassion
The prominence of compassion inside devotional materials considerably shapes its capability to foster empathy and understanding. Specifically, publications devoted to prayer typically emphasize compassion as a central theme, mirroring core tenets of empathy and Christian love. The essence of compassion, understood as a deep consciousness of the struggling of others coupled with a need to alleviate it, finds expression in guided meditations and reflections. These writings continuously incorporate narratives that spotlight the plight of the marginalized, encouraging readers to domesticate a extra compassionate outlook on the world round them. This deliberate focus cultivates an surroundings of empathy, encouraging a deeper understanding and reference to others’ emotional experiences. That is typically achieved by means of prompts that encourage readers to establish with those that are struggling, thereby selling a way of shared humanity.
The sensible software of compassion, as explored by means of prayer, manifests in a heightened sense of social accountability. People who constantly have interaction with compassionate themes of their devotional lives could also be extra inclined to take part in acts of service and advocate for social justice. This connection will not be merely theoretical; quite a few accounts illustrate how devotional practices emphasizing compassion have impressed people to dedicate their lives to serving to others. Think about, for instance, volunteers working with the homeless or activists combating for human rights, lots of whom cite their faith-based practices as a supply of motivation. The prayer books, on this context, present a framework for translating empathetic emotions into tangible actions, nurturing a extra simply and equitable society.
In abstract, the mixing of compassion into devotional follow fosters a transformative affect on each the person and the neighborhood. Whereas challenges stay in constantly embodying compassion in a posh and infrequently detached world, the constant return to those themes inside devotional texts serves as a robust reminder of the necessity for empathy and motion. The combination promotes a deepened sense of connectedness and cultivates a need to alleviate struggling, driving each private development and societal betterment.
2. Vulnerability
Inside printed devotional supplies, the theme of vulnerability occupies a central place, influencing the character and efficacy of the prayer expertise. Particularly, the encouragement of vulnerability acts as a catalyst for genuine self-reflection. The person engages in prayer not from a place of power or perceived righteousness, however from an area of openness and acknowledgment of non-public limitations. This stance permits a deeper reference to the divine, predicated on honesty and real self-awareness. Content material could embody passages that recount private struggles or failings, normalizing the human expertise of imperfection and creating a way of shared humanity between the writer and the reader. The sensible impact of this encouragement is the dismantling of emotional limitations that may impede significant prayer.
An evaluation of recurring themes reveals that vulnerability capabilities as a prerequisite for experiencing grace and compassion. When people current themselves truthfully, acknowledging their weaknesses and insecurities, they turn out to be extra receptive to receiving consolation and help. The prayer compilations could embody meditations on forgiveness, each self-forgiveness and the acceptance of divine forgiveness, additional reinforcing the significance of embracing vulnerability. As an example, tales detailing moments of non-public failure adopted by experiences of surprising grace illustrate the transformative energy of self-acceptance. Furthermore, prayer texts that overtly tackle emotions of doubt, worry, or anger present a protected area for people to discover their complicated feelings with out judgment. This fosters a extra built-in and holistic strategy to religious development.
The emphasis on vulnerability in devotional follow finally serves to domesticate a extra real and intimate relationship with a better energy. By relinquishing the necessity to venture a picture of perfection, people can strategy prayer with authenticity and openness. This could result in a extra profound sense of peace and acceptance, each of oneself and of the circumstances of life. Whereas embracing vulnerability could initially really feel uncomfortable and even horrifying, the long-term advantages embody elevated self-awareness, emotional resilience, and a deeper connection to the divine. The constant reinforcement of this precept inside devotional literature affords a pathway in the direction of religious transformation.
3. Internal peace
The pursuit of inside peace constitutes a elementary human aspiration, continuously addressed inside religious and philosophical traditions. The devotional works, specifically these related to a sure writer, supply a pathway to attaining this state by means of structured reflection and prayer. These supplies function a instrument for people searching for to domesticate serenity amidst the challenges of every day existence. The achievement of inside peace, on this context, is introduced not as a passive state of being, however as an energetic technique of self-discovery and religious engagement.
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Cultivating Stillness By Contemplation
Devotional supplies emphasize the significance of setting apart devoted time for quiet reflection. This may occasionally contain partaking with particular passages, meditating on explicit themes, or just sitting in silence. The aim is to create an area the place exterior distractions are minimized, permitting people to show inward and join with their very own ideas and feelings. This follow of cultivating stillness is seen as important for figuring out and addressing the foundation causes of inside turmoil. It permits the person to watch their ideas with out judgment, fostering a way of detachment from anxieties and worries.
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Embracing Imperfection and Self-Acceptance
The journey towards inside peace typically includes confronting private flaws and limitations. The prayer assortment encourages self-compassion and acceptance as essential parts on this course of. Reasonably than striving for unattainable beliefs of perfection, people are invited to embrace their imperfections and acknowledge their inherent worthiness. This acceptance fosters a way of inside calm and reduces the tendency in the direction of self-criticism, which is usually a important supply of inside battle. Content material could embody prompts that encourage readers to establish their strengths and weaknesses, and to view themselves with kindness and understanding.
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Discovering That means and Objective
The devotional compilations typically information people in exploring their values, passions, and sense of function in life. Discovering that means can function a robust supply of motivation and resilience, offering a way of path throughout instances of uncertainty or adversity. Reflections could immediate people to contemplate their contributions to the world and to establish methods by which they will dwell extra authentically in alignment with their values. This exploration helps to create a way of inside coherence and reduces the sensation of being adrift or disconnected from one thing bigger than oneself.
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Practising Forgiveness
The act of forgiveness, each of oneself and of others, is a recurring theme in these guides to prayer and meditation. Holding onto resentment and anger could be extremely damaging to inside peace, making a cycle of negativity and stopping people from transferring ahead. Devotional sections could embody reflections on the character of forgiveness, in addition to sensible workouts designed to assist people launch their grudges and domesticate compassion. This technique of letting go of previous hurts is crucial for creating area for therapeutic and fostering a way of inside freedom.
In conclusion, the pursuit of inside peace, as facilitated by these devotional supplies, is a multifaceted endeavor involving self-reflection, acceptance, function, and forgiveness. By constantly partaking in these practices, people can domesticate a larger sense of serenity and resilience, enabling them to navigate the challenges of life with larger equanimity. The assets present a structured framework for this journey, providing steerage and help alongside the way in which.
4. Non secular Steering
Devotional publications, typically knowledgeable by the works and insights of particular theological figures, function assets for people searching for path of their religious lives. On this context, such assets can supply construction and help for cultivating a deeper reference to the divine.
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Structured Prayer and Meditation
Devotional texts typically present a curated assortment of prayers, reflections, and meditations designed to information the consumer by means of a structured religious follow. This construction could be significantly helpful for these new to prayer or searching for to deepen their present follow. The inclusion of particular themes and prompts encourages centered reflection on core religious values.
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Thematic Exploration of Religion
A lot of these books continuously delve into particular themes associated to religion, equivalent to love, compassion, forgiveness, and struggling. By exploring these themes by means of the lens of prayer and contemplation, people can achieve a extra nuanced understanding of their very own beliefs and values. For instance, passages may discover the idea of divine love as a supply of power and resilience.
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Software of Theological Ideas
Such texts typically translate complicated theological ideas into accessible language and sensible workouts. This permits people to interact with theological concepts in a private and significant manner. The assets serves as a bridge between educational theology and on a regular basis religious life, encouraging readers to use summary ideas to their very own experiences.
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Promotion of Self-Reflection and Discernment
The first perform encourages introspection and self-awareness, prompting customers to look at their very own motivations, needs, and fears. This technique of self-reflection is crucial for religious discernment, enabling people to make knowledgeable choices aligned with their values and beliefs. The steerage supplied can help in navigating moral dilemmas and making selections that replicate religious ideas.
The cumulative impact lies in its capability to supply steerage and help for these navigating the complexities of religion. By offering construction, thematic exploration, theological insights, and selling self-reflection, these books perform as invaluable instruments for religious development and improvement.
5. Private reflection
Devotional compilations, significantly these impressed by the writings of Henri Nouwen, place important emphasis on private reflection as a way of fostering religious development. These collections function catalysts for introspection, guiding people towards a deeper understanding of themselves and their relationship with the divine.
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Facilitating Self-Consciousness
Publications typically present structured prompts and questions designed to encourage self-examination. These prompts could concentrate on figuring out private strengths and weaknesses, exploring emotional responses to particular conditions, or inspecting one’s core values and beliefs. For instance, a guided meditation may ask the reader to contemplate moments of pleasure and gratitude of their lives, prompting them to replicate on the sources of those emotions and their affect on their general well-being.
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Figuring out Patterns of Conduct
Constant engagement with devotional materials can facilitate the identification of recurring patterns in a single’s ideas, feelings, and behaviors. This consciousness permits people to acknowledge and tackle damaging patterns which may be hindering their religious development. Content material could embody passages that discover widespread human struggles, equivalent to anxiousness, worry, or resentment, encouraging readers to establish comparable patterns in their very own lives.
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Cultivating Gratitude
The devotional collections typically incorporate practices designed to domesticate gratitude, recognizing it as a robust instrument for fostering contentment and inside peace. This may occasionally contain preserving a gratitude journal, reflecting on the blessings in a single’s life, or expressing appreciation to others. The emphasis on gratitude helps to shift focus away from damaging ideas and feelings, selling a extra optimistic outlook on life.
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Fostering Self-Compassion
Private reflection, as guided by these assets, promotes self-compassion as a way of nurturing inside power and resilience. This includes treating oneself with kindness and understanding, particularly throughout instances of problem or failure. The emphasis on self-compassion helps to counteract the tendency towards self-criticism, fostering a extra accepting and nurturing relationship with oneself.
The assorted aspects serve to boost the affect of such devotional materials. These assets information people in the direction of a deeper understanding of themselves and the world round them. It fosters larger self-awareness, cultivates gratitude, and promotes self-compassion. Finally, the objective is to facilitate a extra genuine and significant relationship with the divine.
6. Grace
The idea of grace is central to understanding the theological framework that informs the devotional writings related to a religious writer. Inside the context of those collections, grace will not be merely a theological abstraction, however a lived expertise that permeates the act of prayer and shapes the person’s relationship with the divine.
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Unconditional Love and Acceptance
Inside the works, grace manifests because the unconditional love and acceptance provided by a better energy. This isn’t contingent upon human benefit or achievement however is freely given, no matter private failings or shortcomings. The conclusion of this unconditional acceptance could be transformative, fostering a way of worthiness and belonging. Passages could emphasize the inherent worth of every particular person, no matter their previous actions or current circumstances. For instance, reflections on forgiveness typically spotlight the boundless nature of divine love.
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Transformation by means of Vulnerability
Devotional texts continuously hyperlink the expertise of grace to the willingness to embrace vulnerability. By acknowledging one’s weaknesses and limitations, people create area for grace to enter their lives. This includes relinquishing the necessity to venture a picture of perfection and embracing the fact of human imperfection. Sections could discover the theme of give up, encouraging readers to launch their want for management and belief in a better energy. Narratives detailing private struggles adopted by experiences of surprising grace typically illustrate this transformative course of.
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A Supply of Power and Resilience
These collections of prayer current grace as a supply of power and resilience within the face of adversity. Throughout instances of struggling or uncertainty, the idea in divine grace can present consolation and hope. It isn’t essentially understood as a removing of difficulties however as an empowerment to navigate challenges with braveness and religion. Writings could embody reflections on scripture passages that spotlight God’s presence in instances of bother, providing reassurance and encouragement.
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The Foundation for Compassion and Forgiveness
Acknowledging the presence of grace can foster compassion in the direction of others and facilitate the follow of forgiveness. Recognizing that one has been freely forgiven encourages an identical disposition in the direction of those that have triggered hurt. This understanding fosters a cycle of grace, extending past the person to embody the broader neighborhood. Sections could information customers by means of meditations that promote empathy and understanding, encouraging them to launch resentment and lengthen forgiveness.
In abstract, grace, as explored inside these devotional assets, represents a multifaceted idea with profound implications for religious development. It supplies a basis for self-acceptance, encourages vulnerability, affords power throughout adversity, and fosters compassion in the direction of others. The prayer books related to this sort of writing function a information for experiencing and embodying grace in every day life.
7. Self-acceptance
Devotional materials impressed by a religious writer continuously emphasizes self-acceptance as a vital part of religious development. This emphasis stems from the understanding that people should first settle for themselves, with their imperfections and limitations, earlier than they will absolutely expertise divine love and beauty. This acceptance will not be passive resignation however an energetic embrace of 1’s humanity, acknowledging each strengths and weaknesses. The prayer books, on this context, function a structured information for cultivating this self-acceptance, providing prayers, reflections, and meditations designed to advertise self-compassion and cut back self-criticism. The premise is that real religious progress requires a basis of self-awareness and self-compassion.
The sensible software of this precept includes partaking with workouts that encourage self-reflection with out judgment. For instance, these writings typically information people to establish their damaging self-talk and substitute it with extra compassionate and affirming messages. Meditations could concentrate on recognizing one’s inherent worthiness, no matter exterior achievements or societal expectations. One other strategy includes exploring private failures or shortcomings from a perspective of studying and development, moderately than self-condemnation. These methods goal to dismantle inner limitations that stop people from experiencing a deeper reference to themselves and a better energy. The end result could be noticed in people growing larger emotional resilience and an improved capability for empathy in the direction of others.
In abstract, self-acceptance, as fostered by means of these devotional assets, will not be merely a psychological idea, however a religious crucial. By cultivating self-compassion and difficult damaging self-perceptions, people can create area for experiencing divine grace and fostering extra significant relationships with themselves and others. The strategy presents challenges, significantly in a tradition that usually emphasizes achievement and perfection, however the potential advantages when it comes to inside peace and religious well-being are appreciable. The cultivation of self-acceptance finally hyperlinks to the broader themes of compassion and vulnerability, important elements for religious development.
8. Devotional assist
A set of prayers, meditations, and reflections, impressed by the religious writings of Henri Nouwen, capabilities primarily as a devotional assist. This categorization arises from the structured strategy it affords to non-public prayer and religious contemplation. These compiled texts goal to facilitate a deeper reference to the divine by offering a framework for every day religious follow. The effectiveness of such a useful resource as a devotional assist is immediately linked to its accessibility and relevance to the person’s religious wants. It’s designed to help people in navigating their religious journey, significantly throughout instances of doubt, uncertainty, or religious dryness.
The construction and content material of the collections immediately contribute to their utility as aids. Thematic group, presenting materials round ideas equivalent to compassion, forgiveness, and vulnerability, supplies centered alternatives for reflection. Actual-life examples of people discovering solace and steerage by means of these assets illustrate their sensible significance. Many attest to experiencing a renewed sense of function and connection to their religion by means of common engagement with the prayer compilations. These testimonials underscore the useful worth of the texts as a help system for religious development.
Understanding the assets as a “devotional assist” clarifies its function and supposed software. The first objective is to help people of their private quest for religious understanding and connection. Whereas challenges could come up in adapting these supplies to numerous religious backgrounds or particular person wants, their enduring recognition underscores their ongoing relevance as instruments for fostering a deeper and extra significant prayer life.
9. Contemplation
Contemplation, a central follow inside the Christian custom, finds particular articulation inside publications impressed by the writings of Henri Nouwen. The combination of contemplative workouts and themes serves to information people towards a deepened consciousness of the divine presence of their lives. The essence of contemplation, as understood inside these assets, includes a deliberate turning inward to domesticate attentiveness to God.
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Silence and Stillness
The cultivation of silence and stillness is a cornerstone of contemplative follow. Books typically emphasize the significance of setting apart devoted time for quiet reflection, free from exterior distractions. This follow permits people to turn out to be extra attuned to their inside ideas and feelings, creating area for a deeper reference to the divine. Examples embody guided meditations that encourage the quieting of the thoughts and the focusing of consideration on the current second. This side mirrors traditional contemplative traditions present in numerous non secular contexts.
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Lectio Divina Adaptation
The assets continuously incorporate parts of Lectio Divina, a conventional methodology of scriptural studying and reflection. This includes studying a passage slowly and attentively, permitting it to resonate inside the coronary heart and thoughts. The difference of this methodology inside collections encourages a contemplative engagement with scripture, fostering a deeper understanding of its that means and relevance to 1’s personal life. Passages are sometimes adopted by reflective questions designed to immediate contemplation and private software.
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Mindfulness and Current Second Consciousness
Contemplation, as introduced, typically emphasizes the significance of cultivating mindfulness and current second consciousness. This includes being attentive to one’s ideas, emotions, and sensations with out judgment, embracing the fact of the current second. Writings could embody workouts that encourage people to concentrate on their breath or to watch their ideas as they come up and move away. This aligns with up to date mindfulness practices, tailored for a religious context.
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Discernment and Self-Reflection
The follow of contemplation facilitates self-reflection and religious discernment. By creating area for quiet contemplation, people turn out to be extra attuned to their very own motivations, needs, and fears. This self-awareness is crucial for making knowledgeable choices that align with their values and beliefs. Prompts for reflective journaling, generally included, additional improve this technique of discernment and self-discovery.
The incorporation of contemplation serves to boost the general affect of the devotional assets. By offering a framework for cultivating inside stillness, partaking with scripture thoughtfully, training mindfulness, and selling self-reflection, these collections information people in the direction of a extra profound and transformative religious expertise. The ideas of contemplation, built-in right into a structured format, make the religious journey accessible and significant.
Continuously Requested Questions on Henri Nouwen Prayer Books
This part addresses widespread inquiries and clarifies elements associated to prayer books related to the writings of Henri Nouwen. It supplies concise solutions based mostly on established understanding.
Query 1: What distinguishes publications labeled as “Henri Nouwen Prayer Books” from common prayer books?
The designation typically signifies a compilation of prayers, reflections, or excerpts immediately drawn from or closely impressed by the writings of Henri Nouwen. These assets usually emphasize themes central to his theology, equivalent to compassion, vulnerability, and the seek for God’s presence in on a regular basis life.
Query 2: Are these assets supposed for a particular non secular denomination?
Whereas rooted in Christian spirituality, the themes and approaches inside these publications typically resonate with people throughout numerous denominations and even these from different religion traditions. The concentrate on common human experiences and feelings permits for broad accessibility.
Query 3: Is prior familiarity with the writer’s work required to learn from this style?
No, prior data of Henri Nouwen’s writings will not be important. The prayer books are designed to be self-contained and accessible to a large viewers. Nevertheless, familiarity along with his work could improve the depth of understanding and appreciation.
Query 4: What’s the typical construction or format of those prayer books?
These texts normally include a set of prayers, meditations, and reflective passages, typically organized thematically. Each day readings or weekly reflections could also be included. The format can fluctuate considerably, starting from easy collections of prayers to extra elaborate guides for religious follow.
Query 5: How ought to one successfully make the most of a devotional textual content to derive most profit?
Constant and deliberate engagement with the content material is really helpful. People could profit from setting apart devoted time every day for reflection and prayer, permitting the fabric to resonate deeply. Journaling and private reflection can additional improve the expertise.
Query 6: Are publications affiliated with this writer supposed to exchange private prayer or participation in communal worship?
Devotional writings are supposed to complement, not substitute, private prayer and participation in communal worship. They need to be considered as a useful resource for deepening religious follow, not as an alternative to direct communication with the divine or engagement with a religion neighborhood.
In conclusion, these compilations supply steerage and help for private religious development, emphasizing compassion, vulnerability, and the seek for the divine. They’re accessible to a broad viewers and designed to complement present religious practices.
The subsequent part will discover particular methods to combine these prayer books right into a every day religious routine.
Integrating a Particular Devotional Guide into Each day Apply
This part affords sensible steerage on successfully integrating collections of prayers and reflections right into a every day religious routine. Adhering to those options can improve the depth and consistency of 1’s engagement with the fabric.
Tip 1: Set up a Devoted Time and Area: Consistency is paramount. Designate a particular time every day for reflection and prayer, and establish a quiet area free from distractions. This ritualistic strategy can foster a way of anticipation and reverence.
Tip 2: Start with a Second of Centering: Earlier than partaking with the texts, take a number of moments to heart oneself. This may contain deep respiration workouts, silent meditation, or a quick interval of quiet contemplation to clear the thoughts.
Tip 3: Interact Intentionally with the Content material: Method every passage or prayer with centered consideration. Learn slowly and thoughtfully, permitting the phrases to resonate deeply. Resist the urge to hurry by means of the fabric.
Tip 4: Journaling for Private Reflection: Keep a journal to document private reflections, insights, and questions that come up through the engagement. This follow can facilitate a deeper understanding of the fabric’s relevance to 1’s life.
Tip 5: Join Themes to Each day Life: Consciously search to attach the themes explored within the readings to on a regular basis experiences. This may contain reflecting on how compassion, vulnerability, or forgiveness could be utilized in particular conditions.
Tip 6: Lengthen Reflection Past the Devoted Time: Carry the themes and insights gleaned from the readings all through the day. Periodically pause to replicate on how these ideas are manifesting in interactions and choices.
Tip 7: Periodically Evaluate Previous Reflections: Return to earlier journal entries to establish patterns and observe private development. This evaluate course of can reveal evolving understanding and supply a way of progress.
Efficient integration of those prayer books requires dedication and intentionality. By establishing a constant routine, partaking intentionally with the content material, and connecting the fabric to every day life, people can derive most profit from these devotional aids.
The concluding part will summarize the important thing advantages of utilizing the assets and their potential affect on religious improvement.
Conclusion
This exploration has examined the traits and capabilities of assets designated as a “henri nouwen prayer guide.” The investigation has highlighted their function in offering structured frameworks for private reflection, fostering religious development by means of thematic exploration, and connecting theological ideas to on a regular basis experiences. The evaluation emphasised their utility as devotional aids, able to facilitating contemplation and selling self-acceptance.
The continued relevance of those printed compilations underscores a persistent want for accessible assets that nurture inside peace and domesticate a deeper understanding of the divine. Their availability affords an everlasting invitation to interact in practices that may rework people and contribute to a extra compassionate world. The enduring high quality of those prayer books is a testomony to their profound affect on up to date religious follow.
