A Book Of Celtic Wisdom

You may have noticed that  more than once, we have provided quotations from John O'Donohue from his book, Anam Cara: A Book Of Celtic Wisdom. Because even simple internet searches for quotations have yielded so many of his words from this particular work, we decided to procure a copy of the book itself.

The book is complex and philosophical. Every paragraph -- and sometimes even just a single sentence -- must be read attentively and with adequate time for contemplation. A highlighter, and quiet, are required. It is as though the individual who coined the phrase, "food for thought," had such a book in mind because of the necessity of taking into oneself, and then digesting, tiny portions at a time. 

After roaming here and there in Anam Cara, we thought we'd start a new feature in the blog by using occasional quotations from the book as jumping-off points for our own discourse.  Sometimes, too, we shall leave you to ruminate upon the words alone from the book. Will it be a weekly entry? Fortnightly? Occasionally?  We shall see.

As an invocation, we shall begin with the Celtic prayer, St. Patrick's Breastplate (The Deer's Cry), that is presented towards the very beginning of Anam Cara: 

I arise today

through the strength of heaven, light of sun,

Radiance of moon,

Splendor of fire,

Speed of lightning, 

Swiftness of wind,

Depth of sea,

Stability of earth,

Firmness of rock.