Anam Cara: Wisdom from the Celtic World

O'Donohue Ph.D., John

ISBN 10: 159179787X ISBN 13: 9781591797876

Publisher: Sounds True, 1996

Synopsis

When Saint Patrick first came to Ireland in the 5th century AD, he encountered the Celtic people―with their flourishing spiritual tradition, already thousands of years old. Where the Christians worshiped one God, the Celts had many―and in fact, found divinity all around them: in rivers and hills, the sea and sky, and in every kind of animal.

The Celtic reverence for the spirit in all things, and their celebration of the continuous mysteries of everyday existence, survive to this day―a vibrant spiritual legacy unique in the Western world. On Anam Cara, Irish poet and scholar John O'Donohue blends philosophy, instruction, and spiritual insight, taking you inside this remarkable spiritual synthesis.

O'Donohue shares secrets from a world where the Fates are not feared, and where God's passionate side is celebrated. These secrets will help you to reconnect with the world around you and the treasures hidden within your soul.

In the oral tradition so beloved of the Celts, O'Donohue shares an intuitive approach to spirituality that takes you beyond spiritual "programs" to a place where your heart can be truly nourished and healed. You will learn authentic Irish prayers and blessings; how to discover your individual nature; awakening the senses as "thresholds of the spirit"; understanding the "secret divinity" in your relationships; how the Irish "hospitality" toward death can help you become more compassionate, generous, and fearless; and much more.

Tracing the cycles of life and nature, this insightful session draws from the holy waters of Ireland's spiritual heritage―from the Celts and their Druid shamans, the imbas (inspirational sagas) of the wandering bards, and the sacred fountainhead of the Christian monasteries. Join John O'Donohue for a journey to the "island of saints and scholars" where you will discover your own Anam Cara―"soul friend."

Course objectives:

List some central beliefs of Celtic wisdom
· Compile a list of poems that offer hope and inspiration
· Recite myths and legends from Celtic history
· Discuss new perspectives on life, work and death

About this title

About the Author:

John O'Donohue
JOHN O'DONOHUE was a poet, philosopher, scholar, and native Gaelic speaker from County Clare, Ireland. He was awarded a PhD in philosophical theology from the University of Tübingen, with postdoctoral study of Meister Eckhart. John's bestselling books Anam Cara, Beauty, Eternal Echoes, and the beloved To Bless the Space Between Us, among many others, guide readers through the landscape of the Irish imagination.

Review:

"A rare synthesis of philosophy, poetry and spirituality... a powerful and life-transforming experience for those who read it" -- Deepak Chopra, author of The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success "John O'Donohue is a man of the soul. His scholarly meditation on the continuing relevance of Ireland's spiritual heritage has become a publishing phenomenon... This poetic meditation has become a bestseller on both sides of the Atlantic... A lyrical prayer" * The Times * "Words of wisdom... a heady mixture of myth, poetry, philosophy... profound and moving" * Independent * "This book is a phenomenon in itself... a book to read and reread forever, its style of varied narration responds to our times" * Irish Times *

About this edition

• Publisher: Sounds True
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 159179787X
• ISBN 13: 9781591797876
• Binding: Audio CD
• Number of pages: 234