In 'Rilke's Book of Hours', Rainer Maria Rilke invites readers into a profound meditation on spirituality and existence through a series of deeply personal poems. Each verse captures the essence of longing and the search for divine connection, blending the sacred and the everyday. Rilke's evocative language challenges us to explore the depths of our own souls, urging an introspective journey that resonates across time and culture. As he grapples with questions of faith, love, and solitude, readers find themselves reflecting on their own beliefs and desires. This masterful collection dares us to consider what it means to truly live and feel, making it an essential read for seekers of wisdom.
By Rainer Maria Rilke
Published: 1997
"For there is no separating, no dividing; one must be rooted in both worlds, the heavenly and the earthly, to understand the depth of existence."
At the beginning of this century, a young German poet returned from a journey to Russia, where he had immersed himself in the spirituality he discovered there. He "received" a series of poems about which he did not speak for a long time - he considered them sacred, and different from anything else he ever had done and ever would do again. This poet saw the coming darkness of the century, and saw the struggle we would have in our relationship to the divine. The poet was Rainer Maria Rilke, and these love poems to God make up his Book of Hours.
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“For there is no separating, no dividing; one must be rooted in both worlds, the heavenly and the earthly, to understand the depth of existence.”
Rilke's Book of Hours
By Rainer Maria Rilke
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Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926) was a distinguished Bohemian-Austrian poet and novelist, renowned for his profound lyricism and exploration of existential themes. His notable works include 'Duino Elegies,' a poignant exploration of the human condition, and 'Letters to a Young Poet,' offering insights into the creative process and the artist's journey. Rilke's writing style is characterized by its rich imagery, deep emotional resonance, and philosophical depth, making him a significant figure in 20th-century literature.
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