Thankfully, my excitement was answered and my cynicism fell away as I entered this book. Nothing is lost, in fact, (ironically, even, in terms of my suspicion) the book deals with loss, the "gain" of hunger, the tension of longing/belonging that is native to the spiritual relationship.

There was plenty to be said. O'Donohue, in his own lyrical style, says some of it. And his words are haunted by a melody that says far more than the pages of any book. Inspirational.


Easy to read, but I'm sure I'll want to re-read many times   June 2, 2001
 43 out of 43 found this review helpful

This is written in such an easy, gentle style, I couldn't stop reading, just had to keep turning the pages. I was reading a 'thriller' at the same time and O'Donohue's book beat it hands down. Although such an easy read, there are depths which are often avoided by other books which are more difficult. O'Donohue's sub-title is 'Exploring our hunger to belong' and this he does admirably. Although it will generally be catalogued under a Spiritual heading, take spiritual in its broadest sense - but definitely not the modern consumerist sense. The book is divided into six main topics and each of these subdidvided into small manageable chunks. Reading this as I was in hospital, the chapter on Suffering, perhaps sounded the most chords for me at present, but each of the other chapters - Awakening in the World, Presence, Prisons we chose to live in, Prayer and Absence brought to mind other phases of my life and also a skteched outline of future growth. Now that I have read the book through it will stay by my bed for frequent dipping into, re-reading (many times, I'm sure) and further assimiiation.


Beautiful   September 5, 2000
 17 out of 18 found this review helpful

After O'Donohue's Anam Cara this is a natural progression. His ideas float over the pages at you unlike so many books about the human experince that shout advice at every corner. I tended to read a page, think for 20 minutes and it took me 6 months to read it! It is so thought provoking in a gentle, unpretentious way.It leaves you with such a gentle feeling of calm and does not make your mind go into overdrive like so many other books of this genre. it might even change your life! If you only read 3 books along with Anam Cara and The Prophet this is the one. Just beautiful.