Seven Thousand Ways to Listen: Staying Close to What is Sacred
Mark Nepo is a brilliant philosopher and poet. His latest book, Seven Thousand Ways to Listen: Staying Close to What is Sacred, was released on October 9 and makes an excellent read for anyone dealing with loss and searching for a way to live more mindfully.
Loss can be overwhelming. Facing the demons left behind, the ‘what –ifs,’ ‘what now’s,’ and future uncertainties do little to calm the mind and spirit. The grieving process is long and painful, but necessary. Mark Nepo’s The Book of Awakening: Having the Life You Want by Being Present to the Life You Have came onto my radar after hearing Oprah call it one of her favorite things. The collection of essays resonated with me and helped me find greater appreciation for life in the present. Nepo himself is an inspiration. The two-time cancer survivor found peace and a way to get through good and bad times intact. And the fact that he found success with his book 10 years after its first publication is inspiring as well.
Nepo’s latest book also encourages readers to appreciate life more by listening. Listening sounds easy enough, but how closely do we listen to what’s happening around us? Or to ourselves? We multi-task at home and on down time and may not always hear what people are saying. We get used to what we expect to hear and sometimes react to those expectations and not the situation at hand. I know I’m guilty of it and it leads to arguments and hurt feelings. Optimal communication can only help enrich relationships, and Nepo shares tools to help facilitate the process.
Seven Thousand Ways to Listen: Staying Close to What is Sacred offers meditations, journal prompts for self-awareness, and questions to ask a loved one at dinner or coffee. Before reading, I wanted to hear what the author had to say about the book. If you haven’t heard him speak, Nepo is well-spoken and has a peaceful aura about him. He seems to genuinely practice what he preaches. The insights and assignments Nepo shares seem simple at first, but through. Anyone who takes on the assignments whole-heartedly will appreciate them.
Nepo deals with loss by embracing what still remains. It’s a lesson we should all learn.
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