Becoming Human: Book Review

I reviewed this book a while ago, as part of my Introduction to Pastoral Care course with Aberdeen uni. I thought I'd publish it now, as others may find it useful.


Becoming Human is based on a series of lectures Jean Vanier delivered on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in 1998. Vanier founded L'Arc, an intentional group of centres which care for people with intellectual disabilities. Much of what is written in this book comes from his experience working in this field. Through the book, Vanier attempts to persuade the reader that in order to become fully human they must open up to their vulnerabilities, reach out to those out with their normal spheres of reference and accept themselves for who they really are.

Vanier argues that opening up to our inner-selves, our true-selves, is necessary in order to become wholly who we really are. He states by holding onto past hurts, excluding people we do not normally relate to and hiding behind power restricts this.

He also argues, by opening up to other people - those who have hurt us or we feel are superior (or inferior) to us - leads to growth in us as individuals. Holding onto hurts creates negative relationships which degrade individuals' dignity and lead, in time, to a degrading of their self-worth. As we open up to others, as we let them into out lives and learn to forgive past hurts, relationships grow, communities grow and individuals become more human.

Opening up to others is a painful and dangerous activity, Vanier acknowledges. People who we have hurt or who have hurt us may not accept us. They may not accept our forgiveness. Also, when others have hurt us, it may be very difficult to forgive them. Only through learning to forgive others can we fully let go of the hurt, Vanier argues, and move on with our lives.

Overall, this book deals with love. Love of self, love of others and love of God. Only through accepting ourselves as we are can we be who we are. When we know who we are and love ourselves, we can take the risks involved in loving and caring for others, even in (especially in, Vanier would say) risky situations. Also, if we love others, we accept them for who they are, individuals who deserve respect, love and support, no matter their background or intellectual ability. Through this love, we can build a better society which nurtures and cares for the supposed weakest and worthless.

Vanier's style is an easy one to read and his arguments are robust, especially as the reader is aware they are based on his own experiences. Upon reading the book, I felt life-affirmed and uplifted. I agreed with, and could personally relate to, many of Vanier's arguments, especially where he talked about forgiveness setting one free and dealing with past hurts.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone struggling with who they were. I would also recommend it to those undertaking pastoral care, as they must take the risk with the weakest in society to help them grow. This can only be achieved once the pastoral carer has opened up and examined their inner self.