An inspiring and comforting new work from the author of the international bestseller, Anam Cara.

'We have fallen out of belonging. Consequently, when we stand before crucial thresholds in our lives, we have no rituals to protect, encourage and guide us as we cross over into the unknown. For such crossings, we need to find new words. What is nearest to the heart is often farthest from the word. This book is an attempt to reach into that tenuous territory of change that we must cross...' In sharing words of profound grace and wisdom, master storyteller John O'Donohue's Benedictus offers blessings to shelter us as we confront the many challenges we face on our journey through life. Living in an anxious world - a world so often dominated by unwelcome change, unhappiness and even despair - many readers will find comfort in John O'Donohue's illuminating introductions, covering areas such as Beginnings, Desires, States of the Heart, Callings and Beyond Endings, and the blessings themselves provide an inspiring and reassuring new vision of possibility. It is also a vision of hope and belonging for this sometimes troubled world.

'Today, when we stand before crucial thresholds in our lives, we have no rituals to protect, encourage and guide us as we cross over into the unknown. For such crossings, we need to find new words...This book is an attempt to reach into that tenuous territory of change...'

In sharing words of grace and wisdom, the poet and writer John O'Donohue offers blessings to shelter and comfort us on our journey through life. As he opens our eyes to the natural beauty and splendour of the world that surrounds us, he inspires in us a new confidence and passion for life and helps us to confront key thresholds of human experience.

Guided by these blessings and by a reassuring vision of hope and possibility for the present and the future, we begin to recognize that our relationships with one another, and even the most seemingly insignificant rituals which frame our days are crucial to our emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

Through his poetic blessings, John O'Donohue also ignites in us a greater understanding of our innate qualities and, perhaps for the first time, we experience a true sense of belonging in this often troubled world.

Drawing on the heritage of ancient Celtic thought and imagination, Benedictus is, ultimately, a sanctuary of peace and a gentle, illuminating gift of light on our path through this world.

John O'Donohue is an Irish poet and philosopher, and the author of the internationally acclaimed bestsellers, Anam Cara, Eternal Echoes, Divine Beauty and the collection of poetry, Conamara Blues. He has degrees in philosophy and English Literature, and was awarded a PhD from the University of Tubingen in 1990. He also lectures and holds workshops across Europe and the United States, and lives in the West of Ireland.

2008-04-30 A modern book of blessings

John O'Donohue's death earlier this year was a sad, sad loss.
Heard him at Greenbelt in 2007 and he was simply awesome.

If you've not read any of his books, then I would not advise you starting with this one. Start with Anam Cara, which in my view is his masterpiece.

This book of blessings will make much more sense after you've read Anam Cara and perhaps one of his other books first, like Eternal Echoes.

If you have read one of his earlier books then this book will be a treasured resource for you to dip in and out of. John O'Donohue is a wordsmith of the highest order and his turn of phrase is delightful.

He covers themes such as Beginnings, Desires, Thresholds, Homecomings, States of Heart, Callings and Beyond Endings.
It is a book of poetic blessings in his unique Celtic style.

I have used the blessings to encourage family and friends and I too have found solace in the wonderful imaginative depth of his words.

It receives 4 stars, as Anam Cara must rank higher with 5 stars.