The Little Book of Awakening: 52 Weekly Selections

by Mark Nepo

Weekly wisdom from the New York Times bestseller, The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo.

The Book of Awakening has become a modern classic, a spiritual guide for living in hard times and good times that speaks to the hearts of hundreds of thousands of readers. Now, this spiritual favorite, chosen as one of Oprah Winfrey's favorite things, is available in a special pocket-sized paperback edition.

The Little Book of Awakening takes some of the very best wisdom from The Book of Awakening and distills it into a set of weekly readings. Each week explores a theme, such as abundance, awareness, blessing, interdependence, presence, opportunity, being heard, being real, and facing our suffering. Award-winning author Mark Nepo writes about spirit and friendship, urging readers to stay vital and in love with life, no matter the hardships. Encompassing many traditions and voices, his words offer insight on pain, wonder, and love.

The Little Book of Awakening is the ideal inspirational gift for any occasion.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Self Help

208 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2013

About the author

Mark Nepo is a poet and spiritual teacher whose work explores inner transformation and the courage to stay open to life. Known for the bestselling The Book of Awakening, he has written more than twenty books and created numerous audio projects that invite readers to reflect, heal, and deepen their relationships. A cancer survivor, he often describes his illness as a turning point that shaped his understanding of presence and vulnerability. After many years teaching literature and poetry, he devoted himself to writing and guiding others through workshops and retreats. His reflections have been featured widely, including on Oprah Winfrey’s Super Soul Sunday, and he continues to write about living with authenticity and attention.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book there are 52 little readings that help you get thinking about your life. I spent about 18 months reading it, at moments when I was having trouble relaxing, or concentrating, or just tired but needed a little reading to get ready to sleep. It's good, not great.

[Desiree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Nepotism gets the the heart of what we really need to hear. He does so quickly beautifully and with a seemingly effortless simplicity and clarity that brings comfort and strength. Highly, highly recommended.

[David Craighead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Read

This is a good book for people to have when you need an awakening of your soul. It was an a great read. Mark Nepo is a great writer.

[jerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author throws a lot of spitballs at the wall and some of them stick.
Another metaphor: he is like a home run hitter who swings for the fences every time up at the plate. He hits many home runs but also strikes out a lot.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a quaint little book, a very humbling experience. Beautiful. 😘

[Heather Littlejohn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not retain 1 piece of information

[Elizabeth Castro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the first few chapters of "The Little Book of Awakening," slow and resisted reading any further. And then a curious thing happened. I remembered my same reaction to the book, "The Power of Now."
AHA! "The Little Book of Awakening," is good for me, and just what I need to read! Even though the short spiritual devotion/thought and meditation exercise is for the week., I read a chapter daily.
During this time, my teen son was at sleep away camp and not happy about it. No teen technology was allowed at camp, but parents could email campers, and emails were handed out daily.
Each morning, after reading a chapter in this book, I was inspired to include a thought or quote from Mark Nepo's book that had touched my soul, along with my own insights into my son's life.
When my son returned from camp, he was less anxious, and happy. He said he enjoyed the emails with (inserts) from Mark's book.
This book is easy to read, but some truths may take time to grasp. Is is meant to be enjoyed by adults, but can easily be adopted by parents to share a quick phrase or message in general for older children/or teens.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the things that caught my eye about this book was its simple physical/mental exercises at the end of each short meditation. The 52 meditations are meant to be done throughout the week and for some that repetition may bear fruit. I read them over 52 days and appreciated Nepo's references to learning from nature, e.g. regarding waves in the sea: wherever I am going is the same as where I am (112). And particularly appropriate in these times: as much as we want to be seen and known, it is the giving of attention that keeps us awake (155).

[Elora Holt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nepo has some very good thoughts to share in this book. Unfortunately - at least to me - he also has a penchant for questionably related metaphors and/or allegories that make it hard to understand what point he is trying to make.
Not my cup of tea ... but then I've never really been one for the parable approach. If that's your style however, you will probably enjoy this book!

[Rubina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately the book was as inspiring as expected. Could be Nepo's writing style is too poetic for me. Maybe reading the original Little Book of Awakening might provide better inspirational insights.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased the full version of this book.

[Blanche · Rating 4 out of 5]

library book. This is a pocket size gem! I will look into buying this for myself as there are many passages I would like to revisit over and over!

[Div Manickam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great reminder that we have one with the universe and that we can just be.

Thank you for your wisdom and for sharing your story.

[Amy Kirkeide · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet and thoughtful book of daily readings.