Friendship can be a contemplative practice in itself. Irish poet and philosopher John O’Donohue (1956–2008) offers this piece on the blessings of an “anam cara” (soul friend). He adds, “Prayer is the act and presence of sending this light from the bountifulness of your love [shared in friendship] to other people to heal, free, and bless them. When there is love in your life, you should share it spiritually with those who are pushed to the very edge of life.

A Friendship Blessing
May you be blessed with good friends.
May you learn to be a good friend to yourself.
May you be able to journey to that place in your soul where
     there is great love, warmth, feeling, and forgiveness.
May this change you.
May it transfigure that which is negative, distant, or cold
     in you.
May you be brought in to the real passion, kinship, and
     affinity of belonging.
May you treasure your friends.
May you be good to them and may you be there for them;
     may they bring you all the blessings, challenges, truth,
     and light that you need for your journey.
May you never be isolated.
May you always be in the gentle nest of belonging with your
     anam ċara.