A New Ancient Harmony: A Celtic Vision for the Journey Into Wholeness

by John Philip Newell

Originally published as A New Harmony In a world that seems increasingly fragmented, John Philip Newell calls us to a vision of life's essential oneness. He invites us to be part of a new ancient harmony. In his previous book, Christ of the Celts , Newell freshly expressed the ancient Celtic vision of creation's sacredness and unity. In that poetic treatment of the wisdom of Celtic spirituality, he pointed the way to a Christianity more integrated with the earth and with the rest of humanity. A New Ancient Harmony takes the next step forward by articulating a vision and a pathway toward transformation in our lives and world. A New Ancient Harmony honors our distinct inheritances by serving the oneness of our origin and the oneness of earth's destiny. Newell explores the ancient harmony that is deep in the matter of the universe, the essential interconnectedness of all things. He confronts the brokenness of our harmony, as individuals and families and as nations and species. Only by knowing and naming the extent and depth of our disharmony will we find the way forward. Confronting our brokenness, individually and together, is integral to the hope for healing. Throughout the book Newell leads us on a pathway of discovery - transforming the way we understand ourselves. he asked the challenging "What is the cost, both personal and collective, of releasing life's essential oneness in radically new and transformative ways?"

188 pages, paperback

Published July 9, 2019

About the author

JOHN PHILIP NEWELL is an internationally acclaimed spiritual teacher and popular speaker and the widely read author of several books, including Listening for the Heartbeat of God and A New Harmony. The former Warden of Iona Abbey in the Western Isles of Scotland, he is the founder of The School of Earth and Soul (A Celtic Initiative of Study, Spiritual Practice and Compassionate Action) and teaches regularly in California, New England, Virginia, Colorado, New Mexico, and Canada as well as leading international pilgrimages to Iona.

Reviews

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I deeply enjoyed this book, and may go back and reread it again soon. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Newell's message about the underlying interconnectedness of all things rings true, and offers a hopeful vision for renewal and reintegration of societies, religions, and communities throughout the world while retaining their healthy uniqueness and diversity. Amid my ongoing reevaluation of my beliefs and sense of vocation, I appreciated the encouragement Newell's writing offered to think not just about where to place myself, but how to relate with openness to all things and people from the unique place of where I am at a given moment. This book motivates me anew to find and/or create work and ministry that builds and restores connections among the environment, human society, religious community, and social practice in a way that benefits all living things and our world.