Deep Rhythm and the Riddle of Eternal Life

In Deep Rhythm and the Riddle of Eternal Life, John S. Dunne's twentieth book, he examines the end of earthly life and the prospect of eternal life. He begins with two questions: Is death an event of life? Is death lived through? If we answer yes to both questions, then we face "the riddle of eternal life." This book explores that riddle. Dunne finds his answer in the Gospel of John, with its three great metaphors of life, light, and love. Dunne contemplates the meaning of the metaphors in "deep rhythm," the deep rhythm of rest in the restlessness of the heart. The words of eternal life in the Gospel speak of life and light and love but also of life passing through death, of light passing through darkness, of love passing through loneliness. So, too, Christ, embodying life and light and love, passes through death and darkness and loneliness. This deeply meditative book from one of our most gifted spiritual writers and teachers will offer consolation to those at the end of life as well as hope for all readers who contemplate eternal life.

About the Author :
John S. Dunne was the John A. O'Brien Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame and the author of nineteen books, including The Road of the Heart's Desire: An Essay on the Cycles of Story and Song (2002), and A Vision Quest (2006), both published by the University of Notre Dame Press.

Review :
"According to John S. Dunne . . . we are programmed with an urge, a rhythm by which God calls us to love and, ultimately, through death and into life. How we recognize that call, and what it means is the subject of this reflection on the meaning of living and dying, and living eternally." —Catholic Library World "In this, his 20th book, [Dunne] examines the end of earthly life and the prospect of eternal life." —Theology Digest "In this book, John S. Dunne recounts the profound ways that he has thought about death and, more important, about what lasts from life. Dunne's work is an intricate patchwork quilt of recurring and interwoven themes. As a reflective or, better, meditative stream of consciousness citing a multitude of thinkers, it is not always an easy read. But persistent effort uncovers its nuggets of wisdom." —Commonweal "In this erudite volume, Dunne takes us on a quest that leads through the mystery of 'the life in us that can live on through death.' His exploration is peppered with theological, philosophical, and literary quotations and a deep appreciation for music. . . In his quest to encounter what he calls 'the riddle of eternal life,' Dunne ponders the hearts desire, the road that goes on and on, a spiritual journey, a deeper life, and the process of letting go of everything and everyone. . . ." —Spirituality&Practice.com "In this his 20th book, the Notre Dame professor of theology returns to a question he asked in his first book: "If I must die someday, what can I do to satisfy my desire to live?" —Notre Dame Magazine "In Deep Rhythm and the Riddle of Eternal Life, John Dunne focuses on eternal life, a question that has been central to his work. The question is not simply, he says, 'Is there a life after death?' but, 'Is there a life in us that can live on through death?' In his unique but familiar way, Dunne blends explorations in theology, philosophy, literature, and music. New in this book, however, is a compact disk of Dunne's music, 'A Symphony of Songs,' with the author playing the piano. Although past volumes have included song lyrics and an occasional page of musical score, only now can most readers hear the music itself." —William J. Collinge, Knott Professor of Theology, Mount St. Mary's University "Four decades after he first asked it, John Dunne here returns to his question, 'If I must die someday, what can I do to satisfy my desire to live?' No one can absorb this book without coming to share his hope born of the knowledge that is rooted in love." —Jon Nilson, Loyola University Chicago "Vintage John Dunne—for the uninitiated an invitation to enter the rhythms where words break into song; for those who know his work a journey joining him in the mantras of his meditations on the radiant circle of life, light, and love." —John T. Noonan, Jr., Senior Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit