During this difficult time we find our sense of connection and dis-connection being challenged. When we cannot connect without observing safe distances and wearing protective clothing, how does that affect our sense of identity and community?
In his book Eternal Echoes, philosopher and poet John O’Donahue explores the desire to belong and the “eternal echo of longing that lives deep within us and never lets us settle for what we have or where we are.” It has been described as “A demanding, high-wire existentialist adventure that will inspire readers to re-evaluate their goals and ways of being in the world. O’Donohue ends each chapter with a lyrical blessing or prayer, and his book itself is a profound, healing prayer.”
From the book:
Belonging: The Wisdom of Rhythm
To be human is to belong. Belonging is a circle that embrace everything; if we reject it, we damage our nature. The word “belonging” holds together the two fundamental aspects o life: Being and Longing, the longing of our Being and the being of our Longing. Belonging is deep; only in a superficial sense does it refer to our external attachment to people places, and things. It is the living and passionate presence o the soul. Belonging is the heart and warmth of intimacy when we deny it, we grow cold and empty. Our life’s journey is the task of refining our belonging so that it may become more true, loving, good, and free. We do not have to force belonging. The longing within us always draws u towards belonging and again towards new forms of belonging when we have outgrown the old ones. Postmodern culture tends to define identity in terms of ownership: possessions, status, and qualities. Yet the crucial essence of who you are is not owned by you. The most intimate belonging is Self-Belonging. Yet your self is not something you could ever own; it is rather the total gift that every moment of your life endeavors to receive with honor. True belonging is gracious receptivity. This is the appropriate art of belonging in friendship: friends do not belong to each other, but rather with each other. This with reaches to the very depths of their twinned souls.
This conversation will be led by Roz Malone.
- August 18 Awakening in the world: the threshold of belonging
- August 25 Presence: the flame of longing
- September 1 Prisons we choose to live in
- September 8 Suffering as the dark valley of broken belonging
- September 15 Prayer: a bridge between longing and belonging
- September 22 Absence: where longing still lingers
Everyone is welcome to participate. All sessions will be held on Zoom: https://zoom.us/s/7977776046