Oriah

Shared by word of mouth, e-mailed from reader to reader, recited over the radio, and read aloud at thousands of retreats and conferences, "The Invitation" has changed the lives of people everywhere. In this bestselling book, Oriah expands on the wisdom found within her beloved prose poem, which presents a powerful challenge to all who long to live an authentic life. In a world of endless small talk, constant traffic jams, and overburdened schedules, "The Invitation" opens the door to a new way of life -- a way of intimacy, honesty, and peace with ourselves, others, and the world around us. Oriah invites us to embrace the varieties of human experience, from desire and commitment to sorrow and betrayal, and to open ourselves to all that is possible. The Invitation is an invaluable guide to overcoming the obstacles that stand in our way and to discovering the true beauty that life has to offer. Accept the invitation and open yourself to a more meaningful life.

The Invitation

Emiley Jones

I find again the hopeful part of myself I divorced when my hopes were dashed.

I see my mouth open, lips dry, and hear the single syllable leave my mouth and echo around the room, bouncing off an emptiness inside my chest. This is what fear is like.

Something inside me explodes in a great silence that eats all sound as the word settles over us like ash after the fire of devastation. What surprises me most in the moments that follow is that the world continues.

Ironically, I find myself, at moments, clinging to a belief in my own powerlessness, a belief that will let me off the hook of responding to my soul's desire. Those who chose a different response threaten the seamlessness of my self-deception.

It wasn't that I had not seen the truth. I had. But I'd failed to find the courage to act on it.

And surely the Divine, if it does work with purpose in our lives, is not dependent upon but works through our choices, good and bad.

The Invitation quotes

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