The Invisible World: On the Beauty of Prayer and Liberation from the Prisons in Which We Choose to Live

by John O'Donohue

For the ancient Celts, the invisible world was always with them - the great unknown from which they came and a source of eternal wonder in their lives. Through prayer, teaches O'Donohue, we can enter this immensity and escape the psychological prisons we create or ourselves.

Genres: Poetry, Philosophy, Spirituality, Religion, Audiobook

Audio Cassette

First published April 1, 1997

About the author

John O'Donohue, Ph.D., was born in County Clare in 1956. He spoke Irish as his native language and lived in a remote cottage in the west of Ireland until his untimely death in January 2008. A highly respected poet and philosopher, he lectured throughout Europe and America and wrote a number of popular books, including Anam Cara and To Bless the Space Between Us.

Reviews

[Jeni Goodrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is his invitation following the first section of the art of prayer. "that you should create your own prayer. You should make one special prayer, which would be the prayer of your soul. You should listen carefully to your soul. Listen to the voices within you. Listen to your longings, your desires,and your hungers. And listen to the unexpected that is around the rim of your life. And then out of all of that, write out, write down a prayer that is big enough for your wild soul. That is tender enough for your shy, awkward vulnerability. That has enough healing in it to put the ointment of the divine forgiveness over your wounds. That has enough truth and vigour in it to challenge you on your own complacency. And has enough graciousness and vision in it to show you and to mirror your own beauty. Write a prayer that's worthy of the great destiny given to you. This is not about narcism now. It is about what they say here in America, about honoring the call of your soul, the call of the wild, the call of your soul. And write that prayer, take as long as you need to make it. It is more important to make it well than to get it done. It might take you a month, or take you a year, but write out the prayer that is equal to you. And then memorize it. And carry for the rest of your days that worthy and gracious prayer of your heart around the world with you. It will become a really individual mantra, the calling of your deepest essence, that will open you up within, bring new areas to birth inside you, and bring the wild, and tender, and creative light, and beauty of your heart, out to every object, and place, and person that you will ever meet from now on".

[Michael Slattery · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the most challenging of O'Donohue's works for me because prayer has drifted in importance for me. He's really the only person I'd trust to challenge me to revisit this subject because of his gentleness of spirit, beautiful intellect, and humility.

[Rachel Rouleau · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just enjoy listening to him talk - there are a few of these short audiobooks of his on Hoopla that I throw on when I want something calming to listen to while doing chores. I love that he includes poems by other authors - they’re always good ones.

Audiobook read by the author.

[Liam O'Dowd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars just because it's a bit repetitive from his other works.

[Laura Kisthardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to these lectures on audio. I love John O’Donohue’s voice and reflections. Highly recommend. He talks about prayer, inner life, angels, and more.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magical and spellbinding. This calls for listening on repeat!

[JunyBee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book about how important daily prayer is in your life.

[Whitney Huston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading John O'Donohue. I love listening to him as I am driving or working in the yard, and seeing all the beautiful and colorful images he brings into my mind. I love all the poems he weaves into his works. I love his calming, accepting voice.
2nd Review:
John O'Donohue offers me a way back to Christianity, that incorporates my current beliefs. I relate to his description of humans as clay, and our connection with the eternal through out bodies that are made up of the clay of the earth that has been here for billions of years. I relate to our ancestors traveling with us, and our ability to connect to the eternal in all we do. John O'Donohue is wonderful to listen to during my morning walks.

[LuluRockets · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a gorgeous and important work.