A meditation on suffering, grief and hope

The Doors of the Ocean is an Australian Christian book of poetry, prose and photography for those experiencing suffering and those caring for loved ones in their suffering.

Where do we go in the darkest of times? What do we do when we feel no one understands us, and we have no hope?

“See these storms outside
And this storm within,
Where does one go?

This heart is rising,
Is now falling at the
Whim of blind gravity,
Pulled and pushed by
Metronomic tides.

In our knowledge,
In our fragility,
Inside mortality,
Does one ever know?”

– From the poem “Storms”

We all experience suffering.

At some point in each of our lives, we reckon with big questions: why is this happening to me? Can anyone understand what I’m going through? Is there any deeper meaning to be found in my experience of pain?

The Doors of the Ocean is a considered reflection on the deep, life-changing nature of suffering, grief and loss.

Wherever you find yourself on the journey of life, The Doors of the Ocean offers comfort and hope in a dark world.

  • John O'Callaghan has a deep understanding of grief, suffering, and faith—and their complex entanglements. This wisdom and compassion, born of experience, is beautifully reflected in this book. His poetry and prose, and the luminous black and white photos that accompany them, provide both insight and comfort to those who wrestle with the brokenness of the world and the way it wounds us. No doubt readers will connect with some pieces more than others. That's to be expected with such a profoundly personal book. But it's worth reading—and re-reading—for the gentle grace you'll find there.

    Andrew Sloane, Lecturer in Old Testament and Christian Thought at Morling College

  • I love the format of John’s book. The gentle pace of the poetry and the elegant, peaceful photographs invite you to slow down and rest. The poetry is accessible, but not simplistic, it is not facile, but hopeful. I recommend this book to anyone living in the tides and waves of human experience.

    Rev Dr Kirk Patston, Director of the Centre for Preaching & Pastoral Ministry, Sydney Missionary & Bible College

  • John relates to those going through their own stormy ocean, whatever form that may be taking. Through story, poetry and beautiful beach photography the reader can identify with those who are bearing what feels unbearable. While the contemporary world tells us that all is ultimately meaningless, John points the reader to the only source of hope, knowing a loving and perfect God in whom there is no evil at all. Like someone drowning in a powerful rip the sufferer needs a rescuer who is stronger than the surf. Only Christ can provide this rescue. Only Christ can calm the storms and be light in the darkness. The reader is encouraged to meditate on the Psalms, Job, John, Romans and Hebrews, found in the Bible, to learn of the great empathy and love that our Father God has for us always. “As a father holds the hand of his little child as they go out into the morning surf, our heavenly Father holds our hand and will never let us go.” We commend this book to all those seeking hope in the midst of suffering.

    Frank and Heather Stootman, L’Abri Fellowship (Australia)

  • John’s work ‘The Doors of the Ocean’ is appropriately subtitled ‘Hope for the Hurting’. Indeed, this is what I believe it will bring. He writes as one who has himself suffered deeply, to those who are suffering and those who are seeking to care for them. He acknowledges the depths of despair to which suffering can bring us, and the fact that it is often devastating, mysterious and sometimes unjust. John does not offer formulaic or trite explanations or solutions, but seeks to explore a deeper understanding of the significance of suffering. He presents the real and only hope which the Christian worldview brings, and considers the ways that faith can undergird us in the midst of deeply troubling times. The book contains thoughtful meditations on the nature of suffering, some of which include personal notes, and poetry that is engaging and accessible. Stuart Scott’s evocative black and white photos taken at Redhead Beach NSW perfectly complement John’s words. As a psychiatrist who deals with many souls who are experiencing a variety of griefs, I can heartily recommend this book.

    Dr Joanna Barlow

Hope for the hurting

“This book is for those who have suffered seriously and for those who care for them, who suffer in the sufferings of those they love. Suffering is a great mystery of life, for some proving that life is meaningless, while taking others to find meaning through their relationship with God. This book will offer no trite answers to the mystery of suffering, as though it were a puzzle to be solved, or a logical problem to work through until we find the right answer. For those of us who have seriously suffered, we know it is life-changing, and we never go back to who we once were. We stand at a vast unknown intersection we have never been to before. It can be a chilling experience, as nothing prepares us for our suffering—not our educational systems, not our families and friends—it is something we often have to experience by ourselves…

The theme of this book is ‘hope for the hurting’. Is there any real hope for people’s lives which have been damaged and ruined? Is all talk of such hope illusory, just wishful thinking, or is there something more to this life that is found beyond our sufferings? The theme of this work isn’t ‘healing for the hurting’ for many people do not heal in this life or only partially from whatever has happened to them. The majority of people do not cause their own suffering, rather it is visited upon them. We each need a hope which is a real hope for our brief lives, something which is stronger than us.”

– From the prose piece Beginnings (A Brutiful World)

  • John O'Callaghan

    AUTHOR

    John is a writer from Newcastle. He has a passion for helping people find real hope in their suffering through pastoral care conversations.

  • Stuart Scott

    PHOTOGRAPHER

    Stuart is a Newcastle-based photographer, finding the beauty in small moments and capturing them on his collection of vintage film cameras.

Order your book today

The poetry and prose in The Doors of the Ocean is accompanied by beautiful film photos of beloved places in and around Newcastle, NSW.

This contemplative book will accompany you on your journey through life, or make a beautiful gift for someone you know in need of comfort and hope.