Travelling Light: Your Journey to Wholeness: Your Journey to Wholeness - A Book of Breathers to Inspire You Along the Way Paperback – 1 Jan. 2000

Travelling Light: Your journey to wholeness, by Daniel O'Leary, The Columba Press, 2001, 216 ff.A guide to meditation and spiritual enlightenmentBy Howard JonesFr. Daniel O'Leary is one of those rare creatures - steeped in the formalism of the Catholic Church as a parish priest but always ready to embrace the wisdom of other faiths in his writing where he feels this is appropriate. He has been a regular contributor to the Catholic magazine, The Tablet, for some time; but his writings have as much to say that is relevant to non-Catholics as to those within the faith. This book was created while the author was on a sabbatical of spiritual refreshment in the USA.The book is divided into three parts. The first short Part is by way of introduction to those embarking on a spiritual journey. The main substance of the book is in Part Two - a collection of thirty-one quite short meditations that the author calls `Breathers', and which he also describes as `spiritual cat-naps'. Anyone who has practiced any kind of meditation within eastern or western belief systems, or has been on stress management courses, knows that one of the most important prerequisites is learning how to breathe in a relaxed manner: hence the description of these meditations. As the author says, `body, mind and spirit are always inseparable on the spiritual path . . . this integration is the function and goal of the journey of healing and wholeness.'Each meditation comprises a `theoretical' part, elaborating in a gentle, non-prescriptive way, the aim of this step of the journey. This is followed by a section labelled `Praxis' giving the specific details of what is required in a practical sense. These recommendations are widely relevant. To subdue the `tyranny of the ego' that the author gives as his aim at one point is also the key objective of eastern philosophical practice. The final Part of the book is again a relatively short collection of meditations that accompanied the author in his North American travels.In reading this book I was reminded of the introspective meditations of the 16th century mystic, St. Theresa of Avila, in her book "Interior Castle". This metaphor has been revived recently by a contemporary mystic, Caroline Myss, in her book, "Entering the Castle". The words that open Praxis 6: `Every thought and feeling we have affects the condition of our body', is one that resonates with so much of the writing in the New Age movement and even with contemporary medicine, so these are not esoteric writings. I unhesitatingly recommend this book to readers from any religion, or none, who seek to develop their innate spirituality in search of a holistic Self.Dr Howard A. Jones is the author of The Thoughtful Guide to God (2006) and The Tao of Holism (2008), both published by O Books of Winchester, UK.Entering the Castle: An Inner Path to God and Your SoulLooking in the Distance: The Human Search for Meaning

This book is full of honesty and good sense. It helps to know that others, especially a priest, have all the same anxieties and hang ups as I do. It is full of good advice and a book to be passed on NOT put on the bookshelf to gather dust! I have bought numerous copies to give away.

Father O'Leary writes from his own experience and manages to deal with most of the experiences of life which come to all of us. His insights are very helpful and he gives practical examples of how to cope with some of the difficulties which come with journeying spiritually as a human being.

Fr Daniel is living and breathing the stuff he writes about; he is not an esoteric academic; this is why I rate this book so well.As a Retreat Director myself I will use his material often.Go with God Daniel! As indeed you do already.Gabrielle Daly-FongAotearoa New Zealand

I found this book inspiring so much so that ishall hve to read it again to assimilate its wisdom. it is written in easy language from life's experience.

highly recommend this book and suggest reading it in small doses as there is so much to mull over. clearly written and simple, there is something here for everyone. I shall read and reread it.

Daniel O'Leary always takes you one step further, and to greater depths than you might otherwise go.This is a daily exercise which you can repeat month by month, and each time draw more from it.

I have not really managed to find time to follow this properly. I think Ishould have got the beginners version.

Reflections and practices that can be used daily beyond finishing the book. A beautiful spiritual journey so needed in our times.

I LIKE THE GUIDANCE IN REAL TIME WITH PRACTICES FOR BEING SPIRITUALLY MINDFUL IN RELATIONSHIPS WITH SELF, OTHERS AND SACRED MYSTERY.

No, the book is not worth much. The same as usual. Disapointing & really no great uplifting book one would expect. Anyway, someone wrote another book, certainlt not what one would hope for.

I mistakenly thought this was a spiritual type book for how to let go of things and feel better overall... I found out it's a jesus will save you if you give your cares to him type religious book. Really irritated it wasn't more apparent that it's super religious and god will save you if you do these things. I wouldn't have bought this book if it were clear this book is saturated with religion. Oh well, lesson learned.