Nepo is a wonderful poet and storyteller, so don't let the "self-help" title turn you off. These short vignettes of his experiences of loss, of his own cancer, and lighter moments, contain all sorts of wisdom and surprising little moments of self recognition. I've given this book as a gift many times, and keep returning to it myself. One of those books I'd want on the proverbial deserted isle.

Merged review:

Nepo is a wonderful poet and storyteller, so don't let the "self-help" title turn you off. These short vignettes of his experiences of loss, of his own cancer, and lighter moments, contain all sorts of wisdom and surprising little moments of self recognition. I've given this book as a gift many times, and keep returning to it myself. One of those books I'd want on the proverbial deserted isle. Recommended for: anyone, but especially if you're dealing with a traumatic event.

Poet Nepo's book of daily readings has definite Buddhist leanings, but doesn't exclusively follow that or any other tradition. Its inspiration is a mix of faith writings from various times and traditions, plus poetry from Nepo and others, and his own introspintrospections on life, love, loss and growth. There is much beauty here, and plenty of wisdom.

I love this book, one journal each day with daily spiritual findings and followed by meditation instructions. I’m amazed how subtle and spiritually sensitive the author is, most likely due to his unique life experience. Many journals made me thing about some fundamental things in life in totally different ways. Every journal needs some serious internal reflection to fully appreciate its deeper implications. There are many layers to every spiritual findings and by practicing right mind and right meditation, one can use this book to deepen his/her spiritual journey.

This is one of the those books that will never get old and inspire daily throughout our lives!

When was the last time that you were totally awed by a particular book? Well, I'd like to hand off a copy of Mark Nepo's The Book of Awakening because "awakened" you will be. Your search for daily meditations is over. This is truly the one! I own stacks of books that I page through to speak to me of matters that touch my spirit. I no longer need the stack. Each day Mark provides you with something to ponder indepth. He has a profound gift for leaving loveprints upon your soul with language that touches your very being. I've highlighted, circled, underlined, and have left my copy well-worn and totally embraced. Mark knows the uncertainties of life and he shares and shares with a dialog found nowhere else in time. Highly, highly recommend.

I’ve had this book for a number of years but it hasn’t spoken to me as meaningfully as it has in this year. A collection of daily meditations on life and how we live it, are we feeling and truly alive?

From Mark Nepo’s intro, “This book is meant to be of use, to be a companion, a soul friend. It is a book of awakenings. To write this I’ve had to live it. It’s given me a chance to gather and share the quiet teachers I’ve met through my life. The journey of shaping these entries has helped me bring my inner and outer life more closely together. It helped me know and use my heart. It has made me more whole. I hope it can be such a tool for you.”

Yes, Mark, it has been such a tool. Thank you!

This is a daily read,,, truly one of the best I’ve had

This is a kind of daily reflection 'Bible' for me and almost always 'primes the pump' when it comes to personal reflection as well as an incentive for my own writing. Mark Nepo is a cancer survivor which was his 'hitting bottom' so to speak and part of his transformational experience. Nepo is also able to effectively combine the spirituality of the world, embracing so many branches, from Christianity to Buddhism, Hinduism and much more in his personal and thoughtful year of daily reflections. The author concludes each reflection with a way to 'practice' it and work it into ones daily walk. I own and have used MANY varieties of daily reflection books that encourage me, but none that goes as deeply and practically as this one.

This is the second time I've tried this book. There are some great bits of knowledge to meditate on, but since you read one portion a day I feel like it should built on itself.

It pains me so much to say this but I really didn't care too much for this one. It definitely wasn't a bad book, I did gain a lot from it, however I found it very confusing at times.

I also found it odd that so many of the meditations at the end of the passages suggested or were partner meditations. This could be a personal taste thing, but I tend to take this very personally so having to readjust some of the meditations or some not being able to do at all I found disappointing.

In the book's defense, I'm not a fan of day books in general and wasn't aware that's what this was until I had bought it so that's on me. I read it through as well, not just one passage a day. I'm going to try and re-read it at some point over the course of a year, reading one passage a day, to see if that changes my perception of it. All in all, it's a good book with great knowledge but there are several others I would recommend to someone before recommending this one.

Great text to facilitate daily reflection.

Mark and his writings are world renowned. Thank you for having The Book of Awakening (“Having the life you want by being present to the life you have.” ) in daily readings, in pieces that allowed for much deeper digestion and implementation. There are quite a few books that have changed my thinking/course. In this one, it simply unwrapped what was already there. Now I get to spend my days spitting ‘n polishing and using what was hidden and too afraid to be used.

“You are that which you are seeking.” ~ Saint Francis