Capturing wisdom passed down through generations, it shows the human warmth and respect for the natural world for which Celtic spirituality is so greatly valued in our own century.
Excerpts:
You cannot grasp water in your hand.
It drops through your fingers.
You cannot grasp truth in your mind.
It drops through your thoughts.
You can only possess water by drinking it,
Taking it into your body.
You can only possess truth by living it,
Taking it into your heart.
A visitor in Connacht came to a village which was at the foot
of a steep hill. The village people told the visitor about the
hermit who lived on the hill.
"We hear him talk and argue with God," they said. "He
is pleading with God on our behalf. It is because of his prayers
that our crops grow so well, and our cows yield such creamy milk."
So the visitor climbed the hill to meet this remarkable hermit.
"Do you truly talk and argue with God?" the visitor
asked.
"When I first came here," the hermit replied, "I
was afraid, especially at night. So I began shouting to make me
feel brave."
"Then what happened?"
"The people heard me shouting, and started to bring me food. And so long as I carry on shouting, they continue to bring me food. Surely God is a wonderful provider!"