Embracing Beauty with John O’Donohue

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In our busy, goal-oriented society we often think of beauty as a luxury. Like so many things that bring us joy-imagination, intimate conversation, moments of silence-we treasure it when it appears, then hurry on to more important tasks. But the late poet and scholar John O’Donohue believes that all of these things are not luxuries, but necessities. He explains why beauty is a threshold to understanding, intimacy, and even the Divine. He points to its value in difficult times, and says that “some little icon of beauty, in the midst of desolation, enables us to endure and hold out for warmth and love and kindness.” In the lyrical language of the poet that he was, O’Donohue speaks to the connection between imagination and spirituality, and explains why falling in love can lead us to a sanctuary that lies within each of us. In this inspiring, alive and joyful conversation, he gives us license to indulge ourselves in those “luxuries” at every opportunity.

John O’Donohue (1956-2008) was an Irish poet, philosopher, and Catholic scholar. He has studied literature, philosophy and theology, and held a Ph.D. in Philosophical Theology. He conducted workshops throughout Europe and the United States, and was the author of many books including the international bestsellers; Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom (Perennial 1998), Eternal Echoes: Celtic Echoes of Our Yearning to Belong (Perennial 2000), Beauty: The Invisible Embrace: Rediscovering the True Sources of Compassion, Serenity and Hope (HarperCollins 2004), and Benedictus: A Book of Blessings (Bantam Press 2007). He is also the author of Echoes of Memory (Salmon Publishing 1994), Stone as the Tabernacle of Memory, and other books of reflections on the spiritual qualities of stone, fire, air and water (printed by Clodoiri Lurgan, U.K. 1994-95). And printed posthumously, To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings (Doubleday 2008). For more information of the work of John O’Donohue go to www.johnodonohue.com

Topics Explored in this Dialogue:

• How beauty can help you get through life’s greatest crises
• Why beauty and silence are necessary for you to have a joyful and meaningful life
• Why silence and words are inseparable
• How imagination is at the root of Christianity
• How beauty-or the lack of it-affects world politics
• Why affluent members of society may be more lost than the poor and oppressed

Host: Michael Toms Interview Date: 3/23/2005