______________ The lives of great artists often hold deep lessons for the rest of us. This useful understanding comes from the work and life of the great composer Beethoven. Without Pause It seems that being deaf, Beethoven could hear the music of the Universe, unheard by the rest of us. The String Quartet No. 14 in C♯ minor, Opus 131, played without pause, seems to gather the slow and steady rise of the sun, mixing it with the unyielding... Read more
We sometimes approach spiritual practice with a sense—conscious or otherwise—that it will allow us to transcend our lives. Perhaps we hope that by becoming awakened we will have the power to become detached from our experiences of pain, grief, or heartbreak. Poet and author Mark Nepo views awakening as something that is rooted in the full experience of each moment of our lives, whether that moment is joyous or suffering—an ongoing process that allows us to grow in ways we... Read more
Read Mark’s weekly reflections on The Huffington Post. It’s a paradox that sometimes what we break lets the light in and sometimes where we’re broken lets the light within us out. We’re still responsible for the breaking we do. Part of our job is to endure the pain of breaking and being broken in order to receive whatever light can come through. I’m not sure how this works, but have experienced both. This poem enters the paradox. Splitting the Wood... Read more
Read Mark’s weekly reflections on The Huffington Post. We are here to love the light out of each other. It’s not something we can plan or build, only ready ourselves for. My wife Susan is one who sees the light in my darkness. This is what relationship that endures can do. This reflection explores such grace. On the Edge of God’s Shimmer Lives unlike mine, you save me. I would grow so tired were it not for you. —Naomi Shihab... Read more
Read Mark’s weekly reflections on The Huffington Post. One of the wonders and rewards for being open to life is that we chance, through our authenticity, to experience the essence of all those who ever lived. When we love completely, we chance to feel everyone who ever loved. When we listen completely, we chance to feel the presence of everyone who ever listened. I was up early, before sunrise, when I fell into one of these moments and wrote this... Read more
Read Mark’s weekly reflections on The Huffington Post. At ninety-three, my father is failing. He’s in between worlds, close to both life and death. We’ve slipped into a time of presence more than conversation. At times, he surfaces like an old whale, offering bits of this world and the next. This poem comes from that precious time. Thou Art That Again, I make my way to you. I don’t want you to die. But I love what death does... Read more
Read Mark’s weekly reflections on The Huffington Post. Beyond family or the culture and religion of our birth, life will lead us to discover the lineage we are a part, the circle of kindred spirits that nourish our soul. The difficulties of living can often make us put this lineage aside to deal with trouble first. I’ve done this and found myself lessened for putting what matters last. This poem speaks to how draining it is to put trouble first.... Read more
Read Mark’s weekly reflections on The Huffington Post. Sitting on a bench in Central Park in New York City, I was watching an ancient oak whose roots were woven into massive stones. It wasn’t long till I began to reflect on how those stones let the roots in and how the roots found their way into all that stone. It wasn’t long before this poem about our very human journey of roots and stones appeared. The Hard Human Spring We... Read more
Tami Simon speaks with Mark Nepo, a poet, philosopher, and New York Times #1 bestselling author who has published 13 books and recorded eight audio projects. Mark has been interviewed twice by Oprah Winfrey as part of her Soul Series radio show and was interviewed by Robin Roberts on Good Morning America. A cancer survivor, Mark devotes his writing and teaching to the journey of inner transformation and the life of relationship. With Sounds True, he has released the audio... Read more
Read Mark’s weekly reflections on The Huffington Post. This week’s poem explores the cloudlike veils that come between us and our direct living of life. Sometimes, we have to part the veil with our mind. Sometimes, we have to let the wind of our heart blow it open. Sometimes, we need the love of others to part the veil for us. Getting Closer Go on, the voices say, part the veil. Not with your hands. Hands will only tangle... Read more
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