The Voice of Your Own Soul
Topic: Immanence & Transcendence
When you take the time to draw on your listening-imagination, you will begin to hear this gentle voice at the heart of your life. It is deeper and surer than all the other voices of disappointment, unease, self-criticism and bleakness.
All holiness is about learning to hear the voice of your own soul. It is always there and the more deeply you learn to listen, the greater surprises and discoveries that will unfold.
To enter into the gentleness of your own soul changes the tone and quality of your life. Your life is no longer consumed by hunger for the next event, experience or achievement. You learn to come down from the treadmill and walk on the earth. You gain a new respect for yourself and others and you learn to see how wonderfully precious this one life is. You begin to see through the enchanting veils of illusion that you had taken for reality. You no longer squander yourself on things and situations that deplete your essence. You know now that your true source is not outside you. Your soul is your true source and a new energy and passion awakens in you.
John O'Donohue was a multifaceted individual who gained prominence as a poet, author, priest, and Hegelian philosopher. Born on January 1, 1956, in County Clare, Ireland, O'Donohue grew up in a rural setting and was deeply influenced by the natural world, which would later inform his work. He was a native Irish speaker, which allowed him to engage with the rich literary and cultural traditions of Ireland. O'Donohue studied philosophy and theology at St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, earning a Ph.D. for his work on the German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel. As a priest, he served in the diocese of Galway for several years before leaving the priesthood to focus on his writing and public speaking.
O'Donohue's work as an author has been instrumental in popularizing Celtic spirituality, and he has been widely praised for his ability to meld the ancient wisdom of Celtic traditions with contemporary life. His bestselling books, such as "Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom," "Eternal Echoes: Celtic Reflections on Our Yearning to Belong," and "Beauty: The Invisible Embrace," among others, explore themes of nature, love, friendship, and the human experience. O'Donohue's poetic voice and keen insights have resonated with a global audience, and his untimely death on January 4, 2008, at the age of 52, marked the loss of a truly remarkable voice in the world of poetry and spirituality.
O’Donohue, John. Beauty : The Invisible Embrace. New York, Perennial, 2005. [Divine Beauty, 2003]

John O’Donohue
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John O’Donohue
Excerpts from his books: Divine Beauty (Europe) / Beauty: The Invisible Embrace (US):