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Inspiration for the Spirit

A lovely place to wander for poetry and inspiration to soothe the soul

Oriah Mountain Dreamer

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Oriah Mountain DreamerOriah Mountain Dreamer is an author, poet, and inspirational story-teller. Millions know her from her popular prose-poem, The Invitation, which is considered by many to be the definitive litmus test for relationships. Her first book, based on the poem and also entitled The Invitation, sold over 300,000 copies and has been translated into more than fifteen languages. Since then, she has written several other bestsellers, including The Dance and The Call. Oriah’s writing is deeply personal and explores how we can follow the thread of our heart’s longing to a life where we can choose joy without denying the challenges of being human. Oriah maintains a weekly blog at The Green Bough as well as a self-titled website, Oriah. She has two grown sons and lives in Canada.

“Since I was a child I have written to understand myself and the world, to find the stories that show me the meaning I can make of my life.” —Oriah Mountain Dreamer

8 poems

Coming Home To Myself
Night Tears
Oatmeal
Perpetual Present
The Dance
The Invitation
The Moment Before
Twyla

RECOMMENDED READING
The InvitationThe Invitation (HarperOne/2006)
In a world of endless small talk, constant traffic jams, and overburdened schedules, this international bestseller opens the door to a new way of life—a way of intimacy, honesty, and peace with ourselves, others, and the world around us.
BUY THE BOOK | AUDIO

The Dance: Moving to the Deep Rhythms of Your LifeThe Dance: Moving to the Deep Rhythms of Your Life (HarperOne/2006)
Oriah expands on The Invitation and asks, “What if the question is not why am I so infrequently the person I really want to be, but why do I so infrequently want to be the person I really am.” The challenge is to live with passion, energy, and honesty and savor the everyday world of family, friends, love, and work with clear minds and open hearts.
BUY THE BOOK

The Call: Discovering Why You Are HereThe Call: Discovering Why You Are Here (HarperOne/2006)
Oriah explores how to heed the voice inside that is calling us to discover and live fully our true selves and heart’s desires, not through the expectations of others or the outside world, but by finding our own unique calling deep within ourselves.
BUY THE BOOK | AUDIO

What We Ache For: Creativity and the Unfolding of Your SoulWhat We Ache For: Creativity and the Unfolding of Your Soul (HarperOne/2005)
The creative process is as essential to human nature as spirituality and sexuality. This book is a spiritual exploration and practical guide on how to embrace and unleash your creativity—whether it’s writing, painting, sculpture, dance, music, or film—and offer it to the world.
BUY THE BOOK

Opening The Invitation: The Poem that has Touched Lives Around the WorldOpening The Invitation: The Poem that has Touched Lives Around the World (HarperOne/2004)
Often moving and sometimes funny, this delightfully compelling book give a full, fresh account of how Oriah’s beloved poem came to be, traveled the world, and, unknown to her, touched the lives of millions of people.
BUY THE BOOK

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Guest Poets

  • Oriah Mountain Dreamer
  • Terry Stephen Driscoll
  • Laryalee Fraser
  • Dennis Janke
  • Christine Magee
  • Dorothy Doyle Mienko
  • Carrie Ryman
  • Tom Schmidt
  • Susan Dane Setin

“What makes you a poet is a gift for language, an ability to see into the heart of things.” —Erica Jong

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