So far not quite the inspirational daily read I had expected. Most of the daily "lessons" I breeze over. Pretty boring inspirations.

I really like this book. I am reviewing a copy from the library, but will make a purchase. It's a daily meditation, the author gives a short quote or thought, then a deeper exploration of the meaning of that quote, and follows it with an exercise to do on your own, if you wish. My perception of it so far is that it simply changes the angle at which you see things and opens your eyes to a new way of approaching your life or your thoughts. It doesn't INSTRUCT you to think in any particular way, but rather poses a question or gives an example that you can apply to your particular situation. It helps guide mindfulness. I hesitated to put that in as a description because it may turn some people off, but it's a practical tool to being aware of your life. Sometimes we just need a different perspective on things. I can see that this book would not lose it's usefulness after 1 year because as your life changes the exercises and meditations naturally will follow.

Every ounce of this book is a gentle nudge to become more aware, awake and present. I've gone through this nearly every other year since late high school when I first picked it up, and it comes to me like something new every time. As a daily read that only takes 2-3 minutes, it is SO worth it. Every entry: soul food.

Until next time, Mark Nepo.

Uplifting and illuminating. Some notes (not a review):

The Book of Awakening
Mark Nepo

If get something you don't want, or not get something you want, see it not as a failure but as an opening.
The same wind touches many leaves.
Be comfortable in any position.
You don't need all the cherries to taste one.
Barrier - breathe patiently and look for another way in.
Splinters in life
What aspect of your personality gets in the way? Envy? Distrust? Fear?
For what are we saving?
Express affection
Notice the resurgence of vitality.
Petals form a garden.
Worrying is like stirring water to try to make it clear.
The sun cannot withhold its light.
Waterfall of words
Exhale out held thought into air, sand
Watch a piece of life grow.
What am I giving power to?
Self-confidence is fidelity to yourself.
each one of us is an important part of the world.

I am growing, I am being carried to the light...I lack nothing.
Watch a plant - grow though not see.

Burying vs. planting. ****
Identify one aspect of your way in the world that has outlived its usefulness - a way of thinking, feeling, speaking or relating.
Try to understand why are you still wearing it?
Burying it will open new space. How?

Take something small and delicate and place it before you as you meditate.

Drop all that is unnecessary.

Don't be a prisoner of the past.

Give up what doesn't work.

You'll know you have arrived when nothing else will burn.

"Living is a process of constantly pairing down until we carry only what is essential." Poet Mark Nepo's observation doesn't apply to everyone -- life is not one-size-fits-all -- but it resonates with me.

If not now, when?

Be happy now.

Entwine fingers, do not keep track of what happens, just stay connected.

Center yourself. Breathe clearly and see with accuracy what you did and how it affected others. If need be, make amends.

Pain is often a sign that something has to change.
Sit in patch of light
Mouth is like a window
Moving towards your new self.
Relish beauty: rain, live music, art. Smile.
Teachers are everywhere

Breath as envision solid relationship...nonprofit dream

A fisting heart can't sing. What thing are you fisting?

"The pain was necessary to know the truth, but we don't have to keep the pain alive to keep the truth alive." - Mark Nemo, The Book of Awakening. Allow yourself to move forward; trust that you can learn from a heartache without constantly replaying it in your mind..

*** Open your heart and stop choosing to let someone who has hurt you define who you and dominate your thoughts..
instead of burning our wounds daily for justice.

Hamlet over thought his life away.

Be like a leaf in the stream. Enjoy the ride.

Do you view the unknown with fear. Do you confuse peace with boredom?
Be who you are when nobody's looking - all the time.

You can feel the wind or create it.

Life's calling: what is it? Meditate on activities in which you've accomplished something fulfflling.

Resilience:
* Sit quietly, slowly find your way to that thin lining of breath that surrounds your heart.
* Allow into your awareness one current pressure you are feeling from a loved one. (Or, can apply to a vocation...life's calling.)
* From that thin lining of breath, in and out, try on the different ways you can respond.
* What response has helped you survive in the past?
* What response will help you live more fully now?
* Which feels more life-giving?

Sit quietly with a trusted friend and meditate on one relationship you believe you failed at.
* After a period of silence, discuss how you think you failed.
* Discuss how you carry this failure, how it affects yhour current relationships.
* Identify one way you have grown in your heart for having experienced this faiture.
* Though the relationship didn't last, bear witness to one sweetness that lingers from it.

Avoid frenzy.
Be resolute, salmon swimming against current still arrive at their intended destination. See openings b/c focused, positive.

Be content with what you have. You lack nothing.

Do one thing well before moving.

The Tao: the unseeable stream we all swim in.

Plans are useless, but planning is essential. Winston Churchill.

Marriage means intertwined rope. Ours I thought was intertwined, and surely was at the beginning, but it turned out to be just my rope supporting Kevin. His ropes he intertwined with other women.

Gilgamesh:The Sumarian tale, Gilgamesh, the stubborn, hard king who sought to ask the Immortal One the secret of life. He was told that there would be stones on his path to guide him. But in his urgency and pride, Gilgamesh was annoyed t find his path blocked, and so smashed the very tones that would help him. In his blindness of heart, he broke everything he needed to discover his way.

"I have just 3 things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These are your greatest treasures. Compassionate toward yourself, you reconcile all beings in the world." - Lao-Tzu

Every day, we are covered by the grit and dirt of all we go through.
Give thanks, even when not sure for what.

Each obstacle has its own story.

The sun doesn't stop shining because people are blind. (follow your convictions...Melville derided and dismissed in his lifetime.

As you inhale, feel each cell brighten
S you exhale, feel a slight increase in light around you.

When seasick, sailors go to deck to look at the horizon line.

Talk to a child about how he/she sees the world.

My sister gave me this book after my divorce. It was a pretty introspective time for me - due in large part because of this book.

This book was so impactful. It helped me realize that everyone struggles. Everyone has doubts in themselves and others. And everyone can easily blame others for things but it’s just not worth it.

It’s set up to read a passage each day. Some nights I’d read the passage for that particular day and move on to other things. Other days I’d read the same passage a dozen times. And other days I’d read multiple passages - begging to understand more.

I’ve given this book more times than I can count to friends that are going through their own challenging times. But the truth is - we all are going through challenging times in some aspects of our lives - so it’s relevant for everyone at anytime.

Some days, the message is exactly what I need. Earlier this week, I was feeling very insecure about some career issues and wishing I were a bit like others. There was a story about a man (Akiba - I believe) who was sorry he wasn't living his life like Moses. The message reminded us, God wants us to live our lives as ourselves, not as someone else. It was exactly what I needed to remember at that moment.

A definitive self help book to awaken to each day. The author has chosen example of gratitude, positive thoughts and quotations for each day of the year. i find this book very inspiring. It is a book to keep by your bed and read each days entry before you start your day. It will encourage you to be your best self.

There are very few books that resonate with my spirit throughout the whole reading. This book reveals the unequivocal love that exists in the world that points to the very foundation of one's self-worth! More importantly, each daily reading not only offers challenges to see deeply into yourself but reveals the joy of discovering connectedness to others and all the amazing things that could have been..or not. This is truly a gift of love.

This harks back to 1999 but the call to slow down, pay attention, and get past ego I feel is more important than ever. I listened to the author read this and I am ordering a copy for myself to have at hand for always. It contains a parable and a meditation presented for each day of the year. There is so much meaty wisdom here, I cannot wait to delve into it over and over again.

This is by far the best daily reader I have ever read. I no longer have a stack of meditation books, as this surpasses them all. So far each daily read has left me with a sense of "WOW!" His writing is deeply profound and the messages go straight to my heart. He also includes a short meditation after each read which carry the message even further. You will be amazed...I love this book!

For someone like me who struggles with acknowledging and exploring my feelings, I appreciate how Nepo concentrates on mindfulness and self-awareness. I was curious about him and looked into his life. It's nice to know a bit more about someone if you are considering taking their advice...maybe it's the librarian in me? Nepo and his former wife were diagnosed with cancer around the same time in midlife. It seems this was a catalyst for them to diverge from one another eventually. Nepo is now married to a potter and sculptor. Knowing that emotional upheaval was involved in the genesis of his words makes them more accessible to me. I find some of the exercises helpful as they help me to develop my "meditation muscle" and remind me to slooooow down.

The only date book I’ve ever been interested in, and one that still touches me years after buying it. Each day offers a wonderful nugget of wisdom, coupled with a meditation, whether it be an exercise of imagining, breathing, writing, walking... I use the book often as a yoga teacher, reading to students either before or at the end of class. I have given the book as a gift many times, and recommend it for anyone interested in deeper meaning, slowing down, and living authentically.