Invitation

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.

Oriah Mountain Dreamer's beloved poem "The Invitation," with its themes of living life more intensely and of loving deeply and well, has been read over the years at countless graduations, christenings, weddings, and other spiritual ceremonies. Now the author has expanded on the poem's words to offer a lovely new book of wisdom. She offers inspiration and advice on experiencing the beauty and sacredness of life every day. In the following exclusive essay, Oriah Mountain Dreamer writes about the need to stop equating wholeness and spirituality with perfection and to accept our humanness.

Richard Carlson

The Invitation is a treasure.

Oriah is the author of the inspirational prose poem and international bestselling book The Invitation as well as the bestsellers The Dance and The Call. Her writing sets forth in detail how we can follow the thread of our heart's longing into a life of meaning and purpose. Her latest book, What We Ache For: Creativity and the Unfolding of Your Soul, explores creativity as a way of accessing and cultivating a spiritually rich life. Oriah is the mother of two grown sons. She lives with her husband, Jeff, several hours north of Toronto in a home surrounded by forest stillness.