Shared by word of mouth, quoted on the World Wide Web, recited over the radio, and read aloud at spiritual conferences and other gatherings, "The Invitation" has been passed along by thousands who have discovered and treasured its unique message. Now Oriah Mountain Dreamer expands on her beloved prose poem, presenting a powerful and inspirational challenge to all of us who long for true intimacy and joy.

Speaking from the heart, Oriah Mountain Dreamer invites us to confront the varieties of human experience, from desire and commitment to sorrow and betrayal, and challenges us to open repeatedly to love and life. Unique, practical, and often surprising, The Invitation is an invaluable guide to living the ecstasy of everyday life, learning to recognize true beauty in ourselves and the world, and finding the sustenance our spirit longs for.

'The creative process,' Oriah Mountain Dreamer says, 'is essential to human nature.' It is as essential as spirituality and sexuality, and in fact all three are deeply intertwined. What We Ache For (taken from the second line of the poem, The Invitation) is a practical book allowing readers to embrace the urgency and necessity of their creativity – whether their medium is painting, sculpture, dance, or music. Oriah's passion is writing, and it is that talent which informs the book and its exercises – but the exercises provide readers with a new way to approach their own passions. Following Oriah through this journey, readers learn how to fully embrace their artistic selves as well as forging a new spiritual path. What We Ache For is the practical thread that ties together all of Oriah's previous work – and allows the reader to fully participate in an inspiring and revelatory way.

Addressing a lack of fulfillment felt all too commonly in our culture today, Oriah draws from her training in the tradition of shamanic medicine to show you how to recognize -- and respond to -- your soul's true calling. With poetry, meditations, exercises, and a blend of ruthless honesty and humor, she details the way to narrow the gap between how we want to live and how we're actually living. Join this gifted speaker as she shows you:

-The difference between craving and longing -- and the peace this distinction brings

-How to overcome the fear of following our longing, and trust in the "lights of encouragement" all around us

-Why "slow down" and "let go" are the two most important instructions in a spiritual life, and much more.

"One of the portals into spiritual awakening is our longing -- the ache that we have in the center of who we are," teaches Oriah Mountain Dreamer. On this long-awaited audio course, this celebrated visionary invites you to enter that gateway -- and the path to fulfillment it promises -- with YOUR HEART'S PRAYER."