Artist

Alexander Averin

Sunday 13 January 2008

John O'Donohue 1954-2008 RIP, Anam Cara

I posted this quotation not many moons ago. I post it here again.

I would love to live like a river flows, carried by the surprise of its own unfolding."

-- John O'Donohue

http://www.panhala.net/Archive/Sybil%20Head%20Dingle%20Peninsula%20Ireland.jpg



There is a book I keep close to me, by my bedside, it was given to me by C, my newfound Irish sister. It is called Anam Cara which means soul friend. It is a book of Celtic wisdom and is probably my favourite and most comforting spiritual book. I know some of you know and love Anam Cara as I do and will be very sad to hear of John's passing last week. John O'Donohue was a mystic, a poetic and highly inspirational Irish writer who will be sorely missed.





Below is a link to his website with details about John and his other writings.

http://www.jodonohue.com/calendar/




This is one of my favourite poems written by John:



Beannacht
("Blessing")




On the day when
the weight deadens
on your shoulders
and you stumble,
may the clay dance
to balance you.
And when your eyes
freeze behind
the grey window
and the ghost of loss
gets in to you,
may a flock of colours,

indigo, red, green,
and azure blue
come to awaken in you
a meadow of delight.
When the canvas frays
in the currach of thought
and a stain of ocean
blackens beneath you,
may there come across the waters
a path of yellow moonlight
to bring you safely home.
May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
may the clarity of light be yours,
may the fluency of the ocean be yours,
may the protection of the ancestors be yours.
And so may a slow

wind work these words
of love around you,
an invisible cloak
to mind your life.

~ John O'Donohue ~
(Echoes of Memory)






May he rest in peace,
Cait

14 comments:

Westerwitch/Headmistress said...

Simple, but lovely tribute.

Zoë said...

lovely tribute Cait - he will be missed

laurie said...

oh my and so young.

rest in peace.

Posie said...

What wonderful words and blessings Cait, a huge loss, but his spirit will live on through his words of wisdom.

DAB said...

Beautiful words....TFX

bradan said...

I am so sorry to hear this, Cait.
After reading about John O'Donohue in your blog, I asked for his books for my birthday present from Oisin and I now also keep them by my bedside.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

CAMILLA said...

Such very beautiful words and blessings Cait, no wonder you have that book by bedside.

A lovely fitting tribute Cait.

Camilla.xx

DJ Kirkby said...

Wow...that poem is even beautiful to look at!

Fennie said...

Yes, so young, but he achieved a great deal and you are helping him to live on. As others have said a lovely tribute.

Pipany said...

Hello Cait and apologies - I'm very behind on my blog reading at the mo so have only just read your 'day in the life' blog of yeaterday. It was lovely and beautifully written xx

Pili pala said...

Thank you Cait for sharing this very gifted man's thoughts. I will endevour to find his works. Your tribute as aways beautifully put

Anonymous said...

One of my favourites and a great loss. Ar dheis Dé a anamh dílis. I had intended to write something but you have done it so beautifully there could be no better tribute.

Thank you.

Canada said...

I was drawn to John's 'Anam Cara' site about six months ago and was as moved by his writings as I am sorry for his passing. I also, will always keep a copy of 'anam cara' by my bedside. I am thinking of you Cait, friends and family - as you move through this time of mourning - my thoughts and prayers are with you all. My friends (John's readers as well) are with me as we extend our hearts from John's Canada 'anam cara'. God Bless. Shine on.

Fast said...

My yoga teacher read this at the end of class. I almost lost it. Had to come home and look it up for keeps.