John O'Donohue: Embracing Beauty

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 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 is, 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 is a philosopher, a poet and a Catholic scholar. He has studied literature, philosophy and theology, and holds a Ph.D. in Philosophical Theology. He conducts workshops throughout Europe and the United States, and is the author of several books including the international bestsellers Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom (Perennial 1998) and 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).

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