Seeing with the Heart - by Kevin O'Brien (Paperback)

About the Book

O'Brien makes the centuries-old tradition come alive by weaving together Ignatius' story, his story, the Gospels, the Exercises, film, poetry, art, and wisdom from figures across religious traditions.

Book Synopsis

"Here is my secret. It's quite simple: One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes."
-The Little Prince

Respected Jesuit educator and spiritual director Kevin O'Brien invites you to recognize the opportunities to uncover your meaning and purpose as you navigate the turbulent river of life. Seeing with the Heart is a tour de force that weaves together the author's personal experiences, the 16th-century wisdom of St. Ignatius of Loyola, and the insights of sages, poets, artists, and storytellers through the ages. O'Brien reveals how we can realize our potential by embracing our struggles with courage, our questions with curiosity, and our destiny with boldness as we tap into our deepest desires and live lives of authenticity.
Journeying through this book, with its inspiring prose and practical spiritual exercises, will cause a dramatic shift in your perspective. Your day-to-day life will be transformed by a better understanding of who you are and what you are called to be, as well as by a closer relationship with God and others. As O'Brien writes, "If we persist on the journey, with its signposts in the form of questions, we might discover something remarkable: this God whom we seek and question is actually seeking us more."

What do you seek? Seeing with the Heart will help you discover the answer.

2024 ACP Excellence in Publishing Awards, First Place: Spirituality
2024 Catholic Media Association Book Awards, First Place: Spirituality Classical

Review Quotes

"Seeing With the Heart is a gift to all of us on the journey. It is a book to keep on our nightstand and send to a friend, for it inspires a real look at our living and a prod to authenticity and wholeness--not only for ourselves but for the healing of our world. It is a treasure of a guide to hold close on our journey, as we move toward, in O'Brien's words, 'that loving Mystery which summoned us all along.'" --America Media, the Jesuit Review

When I first read Seeing with the Heart: A Guide to Navigating Life's Adventures, I was deeply consoled to read the distilled wisdom of a master teacher in Ignatian spirituality with a fresh voice. I was not surprised to learn that this book is, in large part, the fruit of many years of teaching about Ignatian spirituality to undergraduates at St. Joseph's University and Georgetown. Fr. Kevin O'Brien deftly weaves together stories from his life and family, his Jesuit formation, and his extensive pastoral experience--along with the wisdom of Pope Francis and other spiritual guides--to illuminate the essence of Ignatian spirituality. I highly recommend this book to anyone who desires to grow in their relationship with God with the help of Ignatian spirituality. -- Very Rev. Brian Paulson, S.J., President of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States

About the Author

KEVIN O'BRIEN, SJ, is a Jesuit priest, lifelong educator, and former practicing lawyer. He regularly conducts retreats for young and old alike. O'Brien brings a unique blend of insight and real-life experience to his writing, leadership, and spiritual direction. He is also the author of The Ignatian Adventure: Experiencing the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius in Daily Life.