Though your destination is not yet clear, you can trust the promise of this opening; unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning, that is at one with your life’s desire.

John O’Donohue

For a New Beginning

Topic: Spiritual Growth & Practice

In out-of-the way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.

For a long time it has watched your desire,
Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on,
Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.

It watched you play with the seduction of safety
And the gray promises that sameness whispered,
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,
Wondered would you always live like this.

Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
And out you stepped onto new ground,
Your eyes young again with energy and dream,
A path of plentitude opening before you.

Though your destination is not yet clear
You can trust the promise of this opening;
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
That is at one with your life’s desire.

Awaken your spirit to adventure;
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.

John O’Donohue

John O'Donohue, born on January 1, 1956, in County Clare, Ireland, was a poet and author recognized for his contemplative approach to spirituality and nature. His early years, surrounded by the stark beauty of the Irish landscape, had a profound impact on his life's work. He studied at St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, where he completed his Ph.D. focusing on the philosophy of Hegel. O'Donohue was fluent in Irish, a skill that connected him deeply with his cultural roots and the literary heritage of his homeland.

After his ordination and time spent serving as a priest, O'Donohue shifted his focus to writing and public speaking. His works, including "Anam Cara" and "Beauty," reflect his commitment to revealing the interplay between the spiritual and the tangible. O'Donohue's philosophical background informed his writing, allowing him to present complex ideas with clarity. His books, examining the nuances of human relationships and the natural world, garnered attention for their depth and insight.

O'Donohue passed away on January 4, 2008. His contributions to the fields of philosophy, spirituality, and literature remain valued for their introspection and wisdom. His understanding of Celtic traditions and his perspective on the human experience continue to be appreciated by readers looking for substance and reflection in their contemplative pursuits.

(1956-2008) Celtic Spirituality
For a New Beginning

O'Donohue, John. To Bless the Space Between Us - A Book of Blessings. Doubleday, 2008, [John O’Donahue, For a New Beginning].

John O’Donohue

Theme: Spiritual Growth

About This John O’Donohue Quotation [Commentary]

John O’Donohue’s words in this quote serve as a gentle reminder of the quiet yet powerful space that precedes new beginnings. When he writes, “Though your destination is not yet clear, You can trust the promise of this opening,” he nudges us towards an inner trust in the face of the unknown. This promise is not about a physical place but a state of being, ready to embrace what comes next. O’Donohue invites us to unfold into the opportunity that beginnings offer, aligning ourselves with our truest desires. To begin with such trust is to walk a path lit by hope, even without a clear endpoint in sight.

Further, O’Donohue’s call to “Awaken your spirit to adventure; Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk,” speaks to releasing the grip of comfort that often keeps us from moving forward. He encourages a bold step away from the old into the new, suggesting that our spirits are eager for the challenge and growth that come with change. His poetry does not push us but rather assures us that embracing risk is a natural step towards finding a rhythm that feels like home, a rhythm that our soul recognizes and welcomes. O’Donohue’s message is clear: in the act of embarking on this journey, with its inherent uncertainties, lies the path to discovering our place in the world.

On Being with Krista Tippett, Interview with John O’Donohue

No conversation we’ve ever done has been more beloved than this one. The Irish poet, theologian, and philosopher insisted on beauty as a human calling. He had a very Celtic, lifelong fascination with the inner landscape of our lives and with what he called “the invisible world” that is constantly intertwining what we can know and see. This was one of the last interviews he gave before his unexpected death in 2008. But John O’Donohue’s voice and writings continue to bring ancient mystical wisdom to modern confusions and longings.

—Krista Tippett [On Being Studios, John O’Donohue — The Inner Landscape of Beauty – On Being with Krista Tippett].

The Inner Landscape of Beauty [excerpt from interview transcript]

MR. O’DONOHUE: So what I think happens here a bit is that there’s a reduction of identity to biography. And they’re not the same thing. I think biography unfolds identity and makes it visible and puts the mirror of it out there, but I think identity is a more complex thing. And what I love in this regard is my old friend Meister Eckhart, the 14th-century mystic…

MS. TIPPETT: Right, German mystic.

MR. O’DONOHUE: German mystic. And one day I read in him, and he said, “There is a place in the soul that neither time nor space nor no created thing can touch.” And I really thought that was amazing. And if you cash it out, what it means is that your identity is not equivalent to your biography and that there is a place in you where you have never been wounded, where there is still a sureness in you, where there’s a seamlessness in you, and where there is a confidence and tranquility in you. And I think the intention of prayer and spirituality and love is now and again to visit that inner kind of sanctuary.

—Krista Tippett [On Being Studios, John O’Donohue — The Inner Landscape of Beauty – On Being with Krista Tippett].

Meister Eckhart and John O’Donohue

Meister Eckhart, a 13th-century German mystic and theologian, spoke profoundly about the transformative power of new beginnings and the importance of trust in embracing their inherent magic. According to Eckhart, each moment carries within it the potential for renewal and growth, and it is through our trust in the unfolding of these new beginnings that we can experience profound spiritual transformation. He emphasized the need to let go of attachments to past experiences or outcomes, allowing ourselves to be fully present and open to the possibilities that lie ahead.

Eckhart’s wisdom aligns beautifully with the insights of John O’Donohue, a contemporary Irish poet and philosopher. O’Donohue, in his book “To Bless the Space Between Us,” explores the themes of change and transition. He invites us to trust the innate wisdom of life’s cycles and to find solace and hope in the unknown. O’Donohue’s work encourages us to embrace the magic of new beginnings by opening ourselves to the mystery and wonder of each unfolding moment.

In essence, both Eckhart and O’Donohue remind us of the importance of surrendering to the inherent potential of new beginnings. They invite us to release our fears and hesitations, allowing ourselves to trust the unknown with an open heart and a curious mind. By doing so, we embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth, where the magic of new beginnings can truly unfold.

Quotation from Meister Eckhart: “And suddenly you know: It’s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.” (Attributed to Meister Eckhart, but no specific citation available. The quote is widely shared and celebrated as encapsulating Eckhart’s philosophy.)

Additional John O’Donohue Quotes

“If you send out goodness from yourself, or if you share that which is happy or good within you, it will all come back to you multiplied ten thousand times. In the kingdom of love there is no competition; there is no possessiveness or control. The more love you give away, the more love you will have.”

—John O’Donohue [Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom].

“Once the soul awakens, the search begins and you can never go back. From then on, you are inflamed with a special longing that will never again let you linger in the lowlands of complacency and partial fulfillment. The eternal makes you urgent. You are loath to let compromise or the threat of danger hold you back from striving toward the summit of fulfillment.”

—John O’Donohue [Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom].

For a New Beginning

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