To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings Hardcover – March 4, 2008

I grabbed this book off my shelf before a flight, and all the way there I was reading it and sharing with my fellow-passengers..."here, read this one, this is so beautiful (sniff)" and they'd read it and it would bring tears to their eyes, too. Then, when I got there, I met two women from Ireland, and I asked them if they had ever heard of John O'Donohue. "Know him? Oh, yes, he was a dear friend of ours," they said, "and do you know that the western half of Ireland went into mourning when he died? He was such a lovely soul, we still can't believe he's gone." I went and grabbed my copy of this book and brought it back and asked the one if she would be so kind as to read the Introduction (which isn't to be missed!!!!!) and then one of the blessings, thinking that in her lovely Irish brogue it would be more like listening to John O'Donohue himself. And it was a magical time.Okay, you have to know that I'm a Unitarian, believe that there are many paths to enlightenment. I don't read much of anything any more, it seems there's not enough time in the day for all I'd like to do. But these blessings invoke power to strengthen a soul. First they open one's heart; a brief window that allows the hard shell of bitterness about ones' life not turning out quite as one had envisioned it to fall away and to be replaced with a loving softness, a kind glow that refreshes, even as one sits there in amazement. How did this guy write these? How did he write about a pregnant woman or parents of a child who has committed a crime and make one feel that he KNEW what he was writing about? But he did. It is so amazing.So, back in South America, I read the introduction to a North American woman who has made her home there, and she took the book, held it close and said, "May the blessing that I need to read be the one I open to." And when she opened the book, it was "For an Exile." We all got teary-eyed as she read it; she is in a self-imposed kind of exile. When she finished, she tried it again. The next one was, "For Old Age." I laughed. "Well, that one didn't work very well, as you aren't old, Catherine." Catherine's 87-year-old mother-in-law, who was sitting with us, stayed me with her hand. "This one's for me, dear." And it was.It's been all I can do not to tell people about this book, and the ONLY reason I'm waiting is because everyone I love is getting a copy for Christmas. It is simply the most beautiful writing I have ever read. May the blessings within it help to heal and strengthen you.

This book is not only a collection of blessings for almost any occasions, but practicing them, will not only bring you joy, but EMPOWER YOU to give joy to others, to forgive others by blessing them, and severing their pain from your life, by wishing them joy, and by appreciating literally everything--what better way is there to serve our planet? Whether you are Christian, Jewish, whatever you are...if you believe in the power of blessing, this book is an all-spiritual-encompassing way to understanding the divine grace in everything, from water to relationships. The late John O'Donahue has such a command of appreciating life, and articulating the emotions of the heart with the most delicate language, that many of these blessings, will bring tears to the reader. He celebrates those who have touched us as "placing flowers on the alter of the heart."....I am so very blessed to have been introduced to this author for something so important to me...I have been struggling with forgiveness of someone who has been a tremendous source of pain for many people in my life, and especially to myself. No matter how much I prayed, and understood that forgiveness, as one celebrant told me is "like an onion", with many layers to peel off, especially if it's very deeply rooted pain since your childhood, I was unable to breach that barrier until I read this book, and understood that blessing someone....asking God and the Universe to help that person with a prayer with the intent of getting them to a better state, is the fastest way to eliminate this source of pain from your life. And as a result also severs that connection you've long been trying to rid yourself of. I am not saying this book is an alternative to therapy, counseling or even psychotherapy--I have tried all of those things, and some of my therapy is ongoing to ensure the road to recovery, but this book has finally taken a huge burden of weight and burned it, with light. May you rest in peace, John O'Donahue.

Each time I read one of this writer's poems, I feel I am taken to a healing place. The other day a woman approached me in a restaurant, and said "I see what you are reading. I give copies of that book to others." For a moment we both just stood there sharing the powerful value of the writer's messages. I have bought thousands of books in my lifetime, and given thousands away. But this one I will keep as long as I have life. His words speak to so many of our human experiences in life, and his phrases and imagery reach my heart and open my mind to a deeper understanding of myself and others.

Such a talented poet, thought-provoking, a beautiful way to start or end the day.

Great little book to have on your shelves. John O'Donohue is the master of everyday blessings.

Other than a slightly different size format, heavier paper, black ink rather than blue, and different pagination, Benedictus: A Book of Blessings (2007) is the original publication of To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings (2008). I may have missed something in the descriptions when I purchased them to sift through for relevant blessings to offer up in public worship settings, but that wasn't clear to me when I purchased them. The poetic, Celtic Christian-inspired blessings are rich and wonderful all the same.