The Invitation audiobook

This was a great book for me - I have read it countless times over the years and the wisdom in its pages speaks to my soul - a great read for getting yourself back to center and realizing what's important in life.

These little books are a nice invitation to ponder - not weighty, not earthshattering, just a gentle nudge to not be a wet blanket to life.

The Invitation is in my mind one of the finest poems ever written, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this at a time that I am looking to make complete 100% changes in my life, and I had loads of time to think and really take in the ideas and concepts. Despite the authors name sounding overly 'woo-woo' (as many of my friends refer to a majority of my reading and interests), Oriah writes very honestly about living authentically in the real world where kids leave the bathroom floor wet, friends get sick, and lover's disappoint. I'm currently reading her next one - The Dance. HUGELY inspiring. In fact, if you only ever read the poem that inspired this book, that in itself will be a fine treat.

This is a wise and honest book that inspires the reader to experience and embrace life fully, not avoiding or squelching one's fears and insecurities, but sitting with and learning from them, and to seek out others who do the same. It's full of raw emotion, as the author unflinchingly shares her own struggles and heartbreaks, as well as her deep longing for human connection on the most profound levels. I found much to ponder and, as a result, I am more aware of my own baggage and shortcomings, not in a judgmental way toward myself but simply more mindful of where I am emotionally and spiritually and what I need to do to become more mindful and connected in all aspects of my life.

Not the type of book I would typically read but I am so glad that I did. The poem at the beginning of the book is incredibly beautiful, thought provoking and inspiring.As I went on to explore the rest of the book I could feel myself opening up to questions we often ignore or avoid.I am not religious so loved that the author spoke of things in a spiritual sense, acknowledging that faith and belief can take many forms. A great read and one I believe I will get even more from each time I revisit it.

I had come across the poem "The Invitation" which is the basis for the book. I was so moved by the passion and rawness of Oriah's words. The book goes on to give her inspiration of the poem, an excellent easy read that I didn't want to put down! She also includes some meditation excercises that were helpful.

Oriah offers an "invitation" to every single of us to "show up" in the universe. She reminds us we don't serve the universe by being small, rather we serve the universe by making the most out of our lives. Full of deep meaning, inspiration, and motivation.

Don't let the author's New Age name scare you off. The Invitation is a soulful poem about what should really matter between humans, not what Madison Avenue tries to condition people to. The book contains the poem, and a discussion of the poem.

this is one I pick up every so often and just read excerpts out of it. It is FABULOUS every single time!

The first time I ever read The Invitation (as in, the poem in this book’s introduction) was when Mr Ceruzzi handed it out in one of my 11th grade English electives. It was like someone had distilled all the hope for the future and faith in the inherent strength and kindness of people that I secretly held in the depths of my teenage heart, and then channeled it into words I could’ve written in my most introspective journal entries. For a while I tried to find its origin based on the author’s name (“Oriah Mountain Dreamer — Indian Elder”) but, as this was easier said than done in 2001, I ended up having to settle for transcribing it into the inside cover of my sketchbook for inspiration and tucking the (now tattered) photocopy of the poem away in my memory box. I referred to it from time to time over the years, either when I sought it for inspiration or simply came across it by accident. And then, recently, I transcribed it as a gift for a friend who I thought would draw a similar level of comfort and inspiration from it during a hard time. In reading it again, I felt the magic spark of the person I used to be ignite and resolved that now, after so many years, it was finally time to find this book. At its core, The Invitation (book) is beautifully written, concise advice on life and how to live (with yourself and others). Oriah takes you on a journey through the poem where each chapter corresponds to a stanza, can easily be read in 10-20 minutes, and is closed with a suggested meditation on the theme at hand. Though it occasionally leans a bit New-Age-y for my taste, the author clearly does no more or less than give you a part of who she is in the seeming hope that you will protect it and carry it forth to live and be better. I think anyone who is (or has ever felt) lost, who feels the pang that some part of them is missing that they long to either find or reunite with, or who simply needs to step back and do a mental reset, will get value out of this book.

Maybe it's her writing, or maybe it's the age/stage of my life, but this book really spoke to me. I loved the rawness of feeling and the eloquence and beauty of Oriah's writing. It was an easy, soulful read for me and I can't wait to read her other books.

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living . I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing . It doesn't interest me how old you are . I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive..."The Invitation" was originally published in slightly different form, in "Dreams of Desire," a collection of poetry by Oriah Mountain Dreamer and actually the title, dreams of desire, is more relevant than the invitation. Simply because as a mortal, unless as an individual, we have dreams of desire therefore a cause, what is the point of existence? To have an ultimate dream of desire, and to seek the journey to fulfill the dream, is the purpose of life! Have a personal dream, always treat people with love, but find a personal dream, whatever that might be, but find it! Gently communicate your wish to the universe, to the Creator, yet take steps to accomplish you wish! Then know, next it is the Creator's, Buddha, Mohammed, Christ, God, whatever your name is, turn to open doors which will allow you to accomplish what others will never dream. It's OK, it's 'your' dream, make it happen, live as if it has already happened... and it will happen!Listen to Oriah Mountain Dreamer, accept the invitation, go where no one has ventured, and have fun!

The Invitation offers honest reflections on life designed for sharing. The stumblings, especially in relations with men, bring about big growth for the author. Recommended to read with a highlighter pen in some places--as there were gems of wisdom here I want to reflect upon as a wife, a mother, a sister and daughter. Not that Oriah's message hasn't been said before but no matter how many times authors say it, I'm still in awe when an authentic voice, like Oriah's, can remind me that beauty is all around us and so close at hand when we gaze into our family members' eyes.

The poem, The Invitation, by Oriah Mountain Dreamer, is for those who’ve grown tired of the small talk and endless chatter at parties, and long for a conversation that is deeper, richer, and true. Like the poem The Art of Disappearing, by Naomi Shihab Nye, The Invitation is a clarion call to throw off appearance for authenticity and to dive fearlessly into life, relationships, and dialogue, not head first, but heart first, awake and aware with gratitude and exhaultation.

I really dug this book in a big way...I think I need to buy my own copy of it. At first it sounded like just another volume of new-agey pap, but Oriah Mountain Dreamer actually had a lot of very intelligent things to say, and called shit where she saw it (which I always respect). She offers very grounded permission for the reader to accept herself, and it turned out to be a comforting read.