Nothing compares to the sensation of being alive in the company of another. It is God breathing on the embers of our soul. —Mark Nepo, “The Way Under the Way” When we shift from trying to be special to seeking what is special in everything, we discover “the way under the way”—the timeless terrain of that mysterious force which animates and unites us. The Way Under the Way brings you a sweeping three-part collection of 217 of Mark Nepo’s original poems and essays to open the heart, awaken insight, and support you on each step of your unique journey through life. The first two works, Suite for the Living and Inhabiting Wonder (originally published by Bread for the Journey Intl.) bear witness to the messy and magnificent adventure of being human. Evolving these further, Mark Nepo integrates nearly 60 new poems into the thematic reach of the material. The Way Under the Way presents a wholly new work, centered on “the place of true meeting that is always near” and the natural rhythms of opening and closing that can become the art that keeps us vital. “All we ever need is right where we are, if we can open the ordinary treasure that is always before us,” writes Mark Nepo. The Way Under the Way is an invitation to “ignite your own exploration of the nature and workings of the inner life.” Reviews: “When I read Mark Nepo’s luminous, meditative poems, one word stands tall in the mind and silence that follows—BEFRIEND. He does not avert his eyes from the difficult moment or the lost hour. He stays steady to feel the magnificence again. And somehow, organically and instinctively, he is able to pass that hopeful calm on to us in ways we desperately need, these and all days.” —Naomi Shihab Nye, author of Words Under the Words
“In this magical book, Mark Nepo ushers us to the depth of who we are and where we truly live. And with his words like pearls for the human soul, we awaken. Give yourself the gift of this treasured book and let it touch the depths of your heart with its richness.” —Agapi Stassinopoulos, author of Unbinding the Heart
“Mark Nepo’s poems are like rare wine that directly nourishes the soul. These are stories of the heart, of brokenness that heals, of grief that awakens us to joy. They remind us of what is essential and sacred, of what we share in the depths of our humanity. Rather than offering answers, they open our questions to the greater mystery of what it means to be alive, to feel. His words welcome us to witness the wonder of who we really are.” —Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee, PhD, Sufi teacher and author About the Author: Mark Nepo is a poet and philosopher who has taught in the fields of poetry and spirituality for over 35 years. A New York Times #1 bestselling author, he 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. As a cancer survivor, Mark devotes his writing and teaching to the journey of inner transformation and the life of relationship. Mark's work is widely accessible and used in spiritual retreats, healing and medical communities, and more. His work has been translated into 20 languages, and he continues to offer readings, lectures, and retreats. |
