. indeed we are from the Eternal Landscape, and
to that Landscape we return
to become part of .
to that Landscape we return
to become part of .
{ John O'Donohue, 1956-2008, and continuing forever }1.
One of the most gifted mystic, philosopher and poet of our time, John O'Donohue, beginning of this year in January has passed behind the curtain of Eternity, to the Eternal Landscape which he was so fond of in his peaceful sleep on January 3, 2008.
He has been rightly described as a man of the soul. His works will remain as scholarly meditation, synthesis of philosophy, soulful poetry and radiant source of spiritual wisdom for ages. The prestigious Review of Metaphysics commended him for "breaking new ground in our thinking about consciousness… (with) a richer and deeper notion of Personhood." John is beloved for his book Anam Cara - Gaelic for "soul friend" - and for his insistence on beauty as a human calling and a defining aspect of God. John O'Donohue had a very Celtic, lifelong fascination with what he called "the invisible world."
About him author and mystic Carl McColman in his blog Anamchara: Website of Unknowning wrote: "He was not only one of the most articulate voices of living Celtic Christianity and Celtic wisdom, but he also had a clear grasp of the beauty of Christian mysticism as well. He was a trained philosopher with a prodigious intellect. He was the only person I’ve ever met who could effortlessly and lyrically weave together allusions to Martin Heidegger, Meister Eckhart, and the Tuatha Dé Danann in a single sentence.
Rest in peace, John O’Donohue.
Walk gladly in the light of Tir na n’Og."
He has been rightly described as a man of the soul. His works will remain as scholarly meditation, synthesis of philosophy, soulful poetry and radiant source of spiritual wisdom for ages. The prestigious Review of Metaphysics commended him for "breaking new ground in our thinking about consciousness… (with) a richer and deeper notion of Personhood." John is beloved for his book Anam Cara - Gaelic for "soul friend" - and for his insistence on beauty as a human calling and a defining aspect of God. John O'Donohue had a very Celtic, lifelong fascination with what he called "the invisible world."
About him author and mystic Carl McColman in his blog Anamchara: Website of Unknowning wrote: "He was not only one of the most articulate voices of living Celtic Christianity and Celtic wisdom, but he also had a clear grasp of the beauty of Christian mysticism as well. He was a trained philosopher with a prodigious intellect. He was the only person I’ve ever met who could effortlessly and lyrically weave together allusions to Martin Heidegger, Meister Eckhart, and the Tuatha Dé Danann in a single sentence.
Rest in peace, John O’Donohue.
Walk gladly in the light of Tir na n’Og."
2.
When I started reading his book Anam Cara, a recognized spiritual classic of our time, the first few lines really struck me, how beautifully he expresses the mysteries of the Divine through language.
In the Prologue John says, "It is strange to be here. The mystery never leaves you alone. Behind your image, below your words, above your thoughts, the silence of another world waits. A world lives within you. No-one else can bring you news of this inner world.
... Humans are new here. Above us, the galaxies dance out towards infinity. Under our feet is ancient earth. We are beautifully moulded by clay. Yet the smallest stone is millions of years older than us. In your thoughts, the silent universe seeks echo. An unknown world aspires towards reflection. ..." and the mysterious weaving of his brilliance with words full of spirit continues.
In the Prologue John says, "It is strange to be here. The mystery never leaves you alone. Behind your image, below your words, above your thoughts, the silence of another world waits. A world lives within you. No-one else can bring you news of this inner world.
... Humans are new here. Above us, the galaxies dance out towards infinity. Under our feet is ancient earth. We are beautifully moulded by clay. Yet the smallest stone is millions of years older than us. In your thoughts, the silent universe seeks echo. An unknown world aspires towards reflection. ..." and the mysterious weaving of his brilliance with words full of spirit continues.
3.
In London there will be a gathering in loving memory of John on the evening of the 16th April and my friend Cailean who gets the credit for introducing to me John's writings and book will be attending, God willing. In response to Cailean's request and remembering John's tender soul, here is a beautiful blessing poem by John.
A Beauty Blessing
As stillness in stone to silence is wed
May your heart be somewhere a God might dwell.
As a river flows in ideal sequence
May your soul discover time in presence.
As the moon absolves the dark of resistance
May thought-light console your mind with brightness.
As the breath of light awakens colour
May the dawn anoint your eyes with wonder.
As spring rain softens the earth with surprise
May your winter places be kissed by light.
As the ocean dreams to the joy of dance
May the grace of change bring you elegance.
As clay anchors a tree in light and wind
May your outer life grow from peace within.
As twilight fills night with bright horizons
May beauty await you at home beyond.
- John O'Donohue from his book Divine Beauty
4.
Some blessed souls are privileged to come back again and again after they are no longer in their physical body. John is one of such soul who will return to his friends, to his readers in their memories, consciousness through his beautiful legacy of writings. As I was listening last night to his wonderful interview with Krista Tippett in the program Speaking of Faith, I was immensely touched by John's depth of wisdom and profound beauty that he embodied.
A beautiful Interview // I surely would love to recommend you to listen to this audio (complete, unedited) interview of him, his last before his death in fact. Click HERE to listen to the mp3 audio (or you may right click to select Save As to save the mp3 file on your disk to listen from your computer). Its from John O'Donohue's interview on Speaking of Faith program.
also, John O'Donohue talking on death and leaving this plane (video)
. You can also listen to past interviews with John from NPR in 1999 and 2005.
5.
There is a memorial planned for May 3, 2008 in Santa Monica, California. Plans are still developing for services on the east coast of the US and in the UK. Click here to know about Memorial Services to remember John O'Donohue.
A beautiful Interview // I surely would love to recommend you to listen to this audio (complete, unedited) interview of him, his last before his death in fact. Click HERE to listen to the mp3 audio (or you may right click to select Save As to save the mp3 file on your disk to listen from your computer). Its from John O'Donohue's interview on Speaking of Faith program.
also, John O'Donohue talking on death and leaving this plane (video)
. You can also listen to past interviews with John from NPR in 1999 and 2005.
5.
There is a memorial planned for May 3, 2008 in Santa Monica, California. Plans are still developing for services on the east coast of the US and in the UK. Click here to know about Memorial Services to remember John O'Donohue.
More Resources and Tribute:
. Unheard Cuts: John O'Donohue's Poems, his recitations
. Beannacht by John O'Donohue
. In sweet memoriam: John O'Donohue
. YouTube presentation dedicated to a soul friend
. John O’Donohue on Prayer
. Tributes / from David Whyte / Gareth Higgins
. Tribute to John by Shara Banisadr (youtube)
. John O'Donohue, 1956-2008, and continuing forever
. In Memory of John O'Donohue
. A Tribute to John O’Donohue on RTE
. John O'Donohue (1954-2008): Our New Friend on the Other Side
. In memory of John O'Donohue
. Obituary at Guardian
. Death of John
. John O'Donohue by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
The Presence of Compassion / an interview
. In Memoriam: John O'Donohue
. Books by John O'Donohue
. a blogspot for John / to share thoughts, memories and other blessings arising from the life and gifts of John O'Donohue
. Poems of John O'Donohue
"There is an unseen life that dreams us; it knows our true direction and destiny. We can trust ourselves more than we realize, and we need have no fear of change.""The greatest friend of soul is the Unknown."
"If you live the life you love, you will receive shelter and blessings. Sometimes the great famine of blessings in and around us derives from the fact that we are not living the life we love; rather, we are living the life that is expected of us. We have fallen out of rhythm with the secret signature and light of our own nature." [>] more quotes by John O'Donohue.
10 comments:
I hadn't heard of O'Donohue until a friend recently sent me a great quote from Anam Cara. Then, on April 7th, I read the wonderful quote of his that you posted. Since I don't always wait to hear about something three times before I figure that I might want to pay attention, I'm now reading Anam Cara. It's beautiful. You are right. O'Donohue still lives.
Thanks for bringing him into my life!
Lovely tributes!
Here's one I posted on the site I host, the Virtual Tea House on Jan. 11, 2008. It contains the entirety of the memoriam by Jesse Kornbluth in The Huffington Post.
http://virtualteahouse.com/blogs/beth/archive/2008/01/11/in-sweet-memoriam-john-o-donohue-1954-2008.aspx
Thanks for your loving tribute to John. He indeed lives on.
Myrabeth
My Beloved Anam Cara in Truth,
You never fail to amaze me. If I didn't know it to be so, it would be almost impossible to believe that you have only known of John for the wee period of approximately three weeks or so. Your honouring of him herein is filled with such a depth of appreciation and knowing, that it simply beggars belief.
Thank You from the very deepest depths of my heart. How Truly blessed we All are indeed to share as we do and to have these wondrously intimate exchanges with You.
You once wrote to me saying "I bow to your heart that beholds such love and beauty". If only I could have written those words for you! For like John you are truly one of the most remarkable beings I have ever known and am ever likely to know.
Last evening (yes God was willing), I was most fortunate to have been able to attend the gathering in Celebration & Remembrance of John. It was truly a most grace filled experience and everyones immense love for John shone out from and into the hearts of each other. Indeed the attendance was so high, that the venue needed to be altered at the last moment in order to accommodate all those present.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ken Browne (who was very deeply touched by your honouring of John herein) for arranging this sacred and most beautiful of occasions.
I sincerely could not have hoped to have had a more beautiful and blessed birthday experience.
In the Eternal Trueness & Boundlessness of Love,
Cailean x
Dear Carol,
I am happy that both of us came to know John almost similar time and the blessing of this knowing goes back to Cailean, friend of John O'Donohue. If he hadn't been so kind to introduce me about John and gifted me his books i wouldn't really miss such a great soul born amidst us. i'm still reading and sipping into his beautiful writings.
Myrabeth,
Tahnk you so much for letting me know of your site. I added it in the link section of the post. Peace!
Cailean,
dear one, happy birthday once again and thank you so much for your kind words. truly generous you are! glad that you were among those who gathered remembering John. Thanks to your connection, now we all are joined to his spirit. may we partake in all the blessings that John generously gave to the world.
my deep apperciation to Ken Browne also for the arrangement and his kindness about this tribute. i'm sure John's spirit was present and he was most delighted to enjoy the love overflowing from this world to the invisible.
best wishes once again to you dear one. wherever you be, may you always be blessed. still enjoying John's work which became a worthy companion for wherever i am going.
Thank you Cailean and Shadiq for your very kind and generous words about the evening of the 16th April in memory to John.It was a very heartfelt occasion and I am sure John's spirit sang with us that night in our hearts.
Shadiq ,I think this is s wonderful resource that you have created on here.God bless you.
Ken Browne
thank you Ken. its an honor to have your comment here. grateful for arranging the program for John. its beautiful to have the opportunity to create such a sacred gathering.
blessings upon blessings.
thank you for this blessing and remembrance. I could get lost in the words and worlds of john o'donohue but in a very good way. thank you for sharing.
Miss John O’Donohue
I just made video with his poem which is at this address if you like to post it on your blog.
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=d2OPNzAWg9k
"the greatest privileges of a human life is to become midwife to the birth of the soul"
"When the inner senses are dull and blurred, you become a respectable prisoner of a mind able to receive everything except the extraordinary."
"The greatest friend of the soul is the unknown"
John O’Donohue
Dear Sara,
Thanks so much. I am adding the poem in the main post.
Blessings and may God bless the soul of John O'Donohue.
thanks also to all who commented here earlier.
I first heard about John's work Anam Cara in 1997. I didn't buy the book until 2005! and I didn't read it until my partner was dying of cancer in 2007. The sheer beauty of his writing left me totally blown away. I understood that the timing could not have been more perfect for me at the time and the circumstances in my life. It left me shaken and in awe of his presence and his humble expressions of our humaness.
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