The Living Spirit is a collection of newspaper columns originally published in the “Observer” in Dunkirk, New York. This book is the second compilation of Daniel O’Rourke’s columns. Like the first book The Spirit At Your Back, it is a reader. The ninety or so short chapters deal with life and death, church and state, grief and celebrations, war and peace. It’s not the sort of book you would read through like a novel. A good Index and Table of Contents helps you pick and choose. You should not just pick this book up; you should also put it down — and reflect. Then pick it up again as the Living Spirit moves you.

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The Spirit at Your Back deals with war and peace, with gratitude and grief, with prejudice and politics; in practical, concrete ways it treats of spirituality and religion. It covers topics as varied as paying taxes and caring for grandchildren.  The book is a collection of columns published originally in the “Observer” in Dunkirk, New York. The book is a reader. Its seventy short chapters are reflective reading. They are meant to make you stop and think. You’ll pick this book up and after a chapter set it down to reflect on its message.  Then as the spirit moves you, you’ll pick it up again.

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It would be trite to say these book are spiritual but not religious, however the cliche fits. It steers away from institutional religion to offer spiritual insights to us who live in a hectic, materialistic and technological world. Its Table of Contents and Index allow the reader to decide where they choose to dip in and jump out.

When asked about his books, Dan said he thinks about his writing as having a clerical stole around its neck.  Some clergy have found his concrete writing with its practical examples helpful in sermon preparation.