Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Beauty: The Invisible Embrace
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Harper Perennial; Perennial ed. edition (March 1, 2005)
A Beutiful Book Written By A Beautiful Man
ByGlenn Russellon January 3, 2013
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
ByGlenn Russellon January 3, 2013
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
Beauty by John O'Donohue is a beautiful book written by a beautiful man. I find a book filled with such inspiring words difficult, almost inappropriate, to read straight through. Many lines invite us to read and reread them and then close the books and linger with their fragrance for days. I would like to give a sampling of such lines here, taken from two of my favorite chapters - The Call to Beauty and The Music of Beauty. I will also include a personal reflection on each quote.
"Indeed, the subtle touches of beauty are what enable most people to survive. Yet beauty is so quietly woven through our ordinary days that we hardly notice it. Everywhere there is tenderness, care, and kindness, there is beauty."
During this past year I have been studying ancient Greek philosophy. Turns out, my favorite philosopher is Epicurus. One big reason is that Epicurus himself was noted for his kindness and incorporated the importance of being caring, sensitive and kind into his philosophy.
"Yet beauty's visitation affects us and invites us into its rhythm, it calls us to feel, think and act beautifully in the world: to create and live a life that awakens the Beautiful."
"Yet beauty's visitation affects us and invites us into its rhythm, it calls us to feel, think and act beautifully in the world: to create and live a life that awakens the Beautiful."
I have been involved in the creative arts for many years but I have come to realize our greatest creation is to become ourselves a being radiating beauty.
"Even, and perhaps especially, in the bleakest times, we can still discover and awaken beauty; these are precisely the times when we need it most. Nowhere else can we find the joy that beauty brings. Joy is not simply the fruit of circumstances; we can choose to be joyous independent of what is happening around us."
"Even, and perhaps especially, in the bleakest times, we can still discover and awaken beauty; these are precisely the times when we need it most. Nowhere else can we find the joy that beauty brings. Joy is not simply the fruit of circumstances; we can choose to be joyous independent of what is happening around us."
How true. John O'Donohue invites us to raise our own inner vibration and experience the inner joy of simply being alive. This is especially needed when we are facing our biggest challenges.
". . . if our style of looking becomes beautiful, then beauty will become visible and shine forth for us. We will be surprised to discover beauty in unexpected places where the ungraceful eye would never linger. The graced eye can glimpse beauty anywhere, for beauty does not reserve itself for special elite moments or instances; it does not wait for perfection but is present already secretly in everything. When we beautify our gaze, the grace of hidden beauty becomes our joy and our sanctuary."
". . . if our style of looking becomes beautiful, then beauty will become visible and shine forth for us. We will be surprised to discover beauty in unexpected places where the ungraceful eye would never linger. The graced eye can glimpse beauty anywhere, for beauty does not reserve itself for special elite moments or instances; it does not wait for perfection but is present already secretly in everything. When we beautify our gaze, the grace of hidden beauty becomes our joy and our sanctuary."
Thank you, John. `Beautify our gaze' - the experience of beauty is an inner transformation not a change of scenery.
"To behold beauty dignifies your life; it heals you and calls you out beyond the smallness of our own self-limitation to experience new horizons. To experience beauty is to have your life enlarged."
"To behold beauty dignifies your life; it heals you and calls you out beyond the smallness of our own self-limitation to experience new horizons. To experience beauty is to have your life enlarged."
Again, thank you, John. There is a rightness and clarity when we see beauty in the world and we become fuller and more attuned to not only the outside world by also to ourselves.
"Beauty is not to be captured or controlled for there is something intrinsically elusive in its nature. More like a visitation than a solid fact, beauty invests the aura of a person or infuses a landscape with an unexpected intimacy that satisfies our longing."
"Beauty is not to be captured or controlled for there is something intrinsically elusive in its nature. More like a visitation than a solid fact, beauty invests the aura of a person or infuses a landscape with an unexpected intimacy that satisfies our longing."
Indeed, intimate and mysterious beyond any words.
"To the human ear, however, music echoes the deepest grandeur and the most sublime intimacy of the soul."
"To the human ear, however, music echoes the deepest grandeur and the most sublime intimacy of the soul."
I find this true to my own experience. Music hits me at a much deeper level than the other arts. It is like an internal dance with my nervous system.
"In contrast to most other forms of art, music alters your experience of time. To enter a piece of music, or to have the music enfold you, is to depart for a while from regulated time. Music creates a rhythm that beats out its own time-shape."
"In contrast to most other forms of art, music alters your experience of time. To enter a piece of music, or to have the music enfold you, is to depart for a while from regulated time. Music creates a rhythm that beats out its own time-shape."
Music is so much connected to Eros and love. Both have a dynamic aspect that short-circuits reason and reflection and both are transporting, absorbing, sensuous, kinetic, and involve your whole person, body and soul, in a most corporeal and bodily way.
"There is a profound sense in which music opens a secret door in time and reaches in to the eternal. This is the authority and grace of music; it evokes or creates an atmosphere where presence awakens to its eternal depth."
"There is a profound sense in which music opens a secret door in time and reaches in to the eternal. This is the authority and grace of music; it evokes or creates an atmosphere where presence awakens to its eternal depth."
I never tire of reading these words over and over again.
Again, a beautiful book written by a beautiful man. Please pick up a copy and be inspired.
12 people found this helpful
5.0 out of 5 starsBeauty in Everything
ByOma L Roseon November 9, 2015
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
At first I had a hard time getting into the book but was really impressed as I read further and began to feel the meaning of some of the essays. We don't always think about the meaning of things as we go about our busy world. This book is well worth reading and "thinking" as you go along! It has made me stop and observe the beauty that is in everything!
4 people found this helpful
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5.0 out of 5 starsJohn O'Donohue Shines
ByGail F. Hoakon January 22, 2014
Format: Audio CD|Verified Purchase
I can not say enough about Irish poet, priest, and deep thinker John O'Donohue. I knew I loved his work and particular beautiful view of life, so when I gave this to my husband for Christmas to listen to on our trip to the Oregon Coast, I knew it would be a winner. He outshone himself, having us stop the tape frequently to cry and converse over the profoundness of his of his words. What an amazing man! The world misses him, yet embraces his spirit forever.
8 people found this helpful
5.0 out of 5 starsBest of the Best
ByWestwood Village Reviewson September 6, 2014
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
This is the finest and most inspirational book on this subject I have ever encountered. This is one of those rare works where you can open the book to any page and immediately find deeply insightful paragraphs. I love O'Donohue and still mourn his untimely passing. He was a genius and his work continues to shine. Of all his works, this is the best.
6 people found this helpful
5.0 out of 5 starsJust What I Needed!
BySkye A. Hopkinson January 23, 2014
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
The timeliness of this book's message reminds me of the old Burt Bacharach song, "What the World Needs Now..." but ending with this book instead of love! This book's message is about REAL beauty, something that has truly been stolen from most of us through today's hectic and media laden world. For those looking for a philosophical solution to modern problems, this book is a must read and just the right length; it's not too short or too long! Beauty is more mystically defined here, it is not the beauty that is manufactured by models or movie stars, not even by radio stations and television. More than a "stop and smell the roses" mentality, O'Donohue invokes deeper thinking on the part of the reader, something that like beauty, is often absent in our world today.
The book was required by my composition class, and at first glance I didn't see how it would fit into the subject matter, but I am very glad my instructor placed this on her readings list!
5 people found this helpful
5.0 out of 5 starsCan be used as a book of meditations. The ...
ByEllen Leahyon September 26, 2014
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
Can be used as a book of meditations. The author's use of language is so eloquent, especially since English was not his first language. I have given this book as gifts to friends who are undergoing cancer treatment or who are caretakers for terminally ill relatives, as a way to make sense out of the senseless times in our lives.
8 people found this helpful
5.0 out of 5 starsBeautiful.
ByStephanie K. Neadon August 11, 2017
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
Deep and beautiful reading by a great soul. This is one of my "morning books," the ones I reach for when I need an uplift to my thoughts, heart and spirit to take into my day. It's not light reading. You have to be willing to engage your own mind. There are no platitudes here. There is deep, heartfelt thought from an incredibly well-read and caring soul.
One person found this helpful
5.0 out of 5 starsAwake to the Beauty that surrounds you!
ByRose Di Gregorioon July 7, 2007
Format: Audio CD|Verified Purchase
This CD fills the very essence of my soul! As a Franciscan religious I appreciate the beauty and splendor of all of God's creation! John O'Donahue has captured the essence of the Franciscan Spirit! St. Francis called everything by the intimate name of "brother" and "sister"! As St. Francis says, "Put on new glasses" "adjust your focus" and you will see beauty all around you." With St. Francis we can all say "My God and My All"! Thank you and God bless you, Sister Rose Therese Di Gregorio OSF.
36 people found this helpful
5.0 out of 5 starsDivine Beauty: The Invisible Embrace
ByStriving for Nowon February 14, 2014
Format: Hardcover|Verified Purchase
As always, an invaluable lifescript from the late and wondrous John O'Donohue. An incredible read for anyone appreciating and living by the words of this contemporary mystic.
I gifted this copy to my Valentine in hopes that the beauty aspect would ring loud and true. I believe it has.
Thank you for leaving your inspiring essence behind, John O'Donohue. You are loved.
4 people found this helpful
5.0 out of 5 starsBeauty simply is
BySandpiper Helenon February 22, 2008
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
The very sad news is that there will be no more books by John O'Donohue because of his untimely death in January. The blessing is that we have a treasury of wisdom and elegance in his published writings and various recordings. We can still listen to his Irish lilt and laugh at his humor; we can still read his prose and poetry suffused with wisdom and caring. Beauty is a book which reminds us how we should look at the world around us, expectantly looking for signs of beauty to counter the other signs of neglect, pain, violence, dis-harmony. He takes us beneath the surface, urging us to troll the depths of our souls to find our beauty. Every sentence will call you to ponder more deeply and invite you to look anew at life.
30 people found this helpful
Again, a beautiful book written by a beautiful man. Please pick up a copy and be inspired.
12 people found this helpful
5.0 out of 5 starsBeauty in Everything
ByOma L Roseon November 9, 2015
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
At first I had a hard time getting into the book but was really impressed as I read further and began to feel the meaning of some of the essays. We don't always think about the meaning of things as we go about our busy world. This book is well worth reading and "thinking" as you go along! It has made me stop and observe the beauty that is in everything!
4 people found this helpful
--
5.0 out of 5 starsJohn O'Donohue Shines
ByGail F. Hoakon January 22, 2014
Format: Audio CD|Verified Purchase
I can not say enough about Irish poet, priest, and deep thinker John O'Donohue. I knew I loved his work and particular beautiful view of life, so when I gave this to my husband for Christmas to listen to on our trip to the Oregon Coast, I knew it would be a winner. He outshone himself, having us stop the tape frequently to cry and converse over the profoundness of his of his words. What an amazing man! The world misses him, yet embraces his spirit forever.
8 people found this helpful
5.0 out of 5 starsBest of the Best
ByWestwood Village Reviewson September 6, 2014
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
This is the finest and most inspirational book on this subject I have ever encountered. This is one of those rare works where you can open the book to any page and immediately find deeply insightful paragraphs. I love O'Donohue and still mourn his untimely passing. He was a genius and his work continues to shine. Of all his works, this is the best.
6 people found this helpful
5.0 out of 5 starsJust What I Needed!
BySkye A. Hopkinson January 23, 2014
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
The timeliness of this book's message reminds me of the old Burt Bacharach song, "What the World Needs Now..." but ending with this book instead of love! This book's message is about REAL beauty, something that has truly been stolen from most of us through today's hectic and media laden world. For those looking for a philosophical solution to modern problems, this book is a must read and just the right length; it's not too short or too long! Beauty is more mystically defined here, it is not the beauty that is manufactured by models or movie stars, not even by radio stations and television. More than a "stop and smell the roses" mentality, O'Donohue invokes deeper thinking on the part of the reader, something that like beauty, is often absent in our world today.
The book was required by my composition class, and at first glance I didn't see how it would fit into the subject matter, but I am very glad my instructor placed this on her readings list!
5 people found this helpful
5.0 out of 5 starsCan be used as a book of meditations. The ...
ByEllen Leahyon September 26, 2014
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
Can be used as a book of meditations. The author's use of language is so eloquent, especially since English was not his first language. I have given this book as gifts to friends who are undergoing cancer treatment or who are caretakers for terminally ill relatives, as a way to make sense out of the senseless times in our lives.
8 people found this helpful
5.0 out of 5 starsBeautiful.
ByStephanie K. Neadon August 11, 2017
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
Deep and beautiful reading by a great soul. This is one of my "morning books," the ones I reach for when I need an uplift to my thoughts, heart and spirit to take into my day. It's not light reading. You have to be willing to engage your own mind. There are no platitudes here. There is deep, heartfelt thought from an incredibly well-read and caring soul.
One person found this helpful
5.0 out of 5 starsAwake to the Beauty that surrounds you!
ByRose Di Gregorioon July 7, 2007
Format: Audio CD|Verified Purchase
This CD fills the very essence of my soul! As a Franciscan religious I appreciate the beauty and splendor of all of God's creation! John O'Donahue has captured the essence of the Franciscan Spirit! St. Francis called everything by the intimate name of "brother" and "sister"! As St. Francis says, "Put on new glasses" "adjust your focus" and you will see beauty all around you." With St. Francis we can all say "My God and My All"! Thank you and God bless you, Sister Rose Therese Di Gregorio OSF.
36 people found this helpful
5.0 out of 5 starsDivine Beauty: The Invisible Embrace
ByStriving for Nowon February 14, 2014
Format: Hardcover|Verified Purchase
As always, an invaluable lifescript from the late and wondrous John O'Donohue. An incredible read for anyone appreciating and living by the words of this contemporary mystic.
I gifted this copy to my Valentine in hopes that the beauty aspect would ring loud and true. I believe it has.
Thank you for leaving your inspiring essence behind, John O'Donohue. You are loved.
4 people found this helpful
5.0 out of 5 starsBeauty simply is
BySandpiper Helenon February 22, 2008
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
The very sad news is that there will be no more books by John O'Donohue because of his untimely death in January. The blessing is that we have a treasury of wisdom and elegance in his published writings and various recordings. We can still listen to his Irish lilt and laugh at his humor; we can still read his prose and poetry suffused with wisdom and caring. Beauty is a book which reminds us how we should look at the world around us, expectantly looking for signs of beauty to counter the other signs of neglect, pain, violence, dis-harmony. He takes us beneath the surface, urging us to troll the depths of our souls to find our beauty. Every sentence will call you to ponder more deeply and invite you to look anew at life.
30 people found this helpful
