Like the joy of the sea coming home to shore,
May the relief of laughter rinse through your soul.
As the wind loves to call things to dance,
May your gravity by lightened by grace.
Like the dignity of moonlight restoring the earth,
May your thoughts incline with reverence and respect.
As water takes whatever shape it is in,
So free may you be about who you become.
As silence smiles on the other side of what’s said,
May your sense of irony bring perspective.
As time remains free of all that it frames,
May your mind stay clear of all it names.
May your prayer of listening deepen enough
to hear in the depths the laughter of god.”
― John O’Donohue
To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings
To Bless the Space Between Us is the last book written by well-known and cherished Irish teacher and poet John O’Donohue before his untimely death. The book addresses what he considers to be the seven major times in the personal journey of life.
Each chapter begins with a short introduction and is followed with prayer poetry on a variety of topics under the subject O’Donohue is addressing in that particular chapter.
From looking at birthdays and new parents under Thresholds to addiction, grief and beauty under States of the Heart, everyday and extraordinary events that many people experience are addressed with lyrical and meaningful poetry in To Bless the Space Between Us.
As the ultimate form of intimacy, blessings can break down barriers between people. “The gift of the world is our first blessing. The word “blessing: evokes a sense of warmth and protection; it suggests that no life is alone or unreachable.”
O’Donohue goes on to say he hopes the book will illuminate the gift a blessing can be, the doors a blessing will open and the healing and transformation it can bring.
“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.”
