The One Life We're Given: Finding the Wisdom That Waits in Your Heart

by Mark Nepo

Beloved spiritual teacher, poet, and philosopher Mark Nepo returns to the inspiring short-chapter format of his #1 New York Times bestseller, The Book of Awakening, to map an insightful and resilient path for inhabiting the soul by engaging in the world.

Mark Nepo has been called “one of the finest spiritual guides of our time,” “a consummate storyteller,” and “an eloquent spiritual teacher.” With the rare ability to communicate stirringly profound truths directly to each individual heart, Mark inspires audiences of more than 15,000 people as well as small, intimate groups. Now, in The One Life We’re Given, Nepo’s personal stories, questions, and meditations take us on a deep and uplifting journey to know our own hearts and enliven our souls.

“In order to fully live the one life we’re given,” Nepo writes, “we each must affirm how precious this one life is and open ourselves to loving whatever life puts before us. Whether that is suffering, pain, fear or loss, or surprise, beauty, love or wonder, we work to stay in touch with our hearts in order to make sense of our experience. As we learn when to try and when to let go, when to give our all and when to surrender and simply receive, we unfold the moments that reveal meaning and ready us for grace. This is how the heart breaks a path to our soul’s work, leading us to our authenticity, and to how we can be useful to others and the world.”

By illuminating the art of finding and restoring what matters and by exploring the craft of awakening, The One Life We’re Given affirms our purpose as not just to stay alive but to stay in our aliveness.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Self Help, Philosophy, Inspirational, Psychology, Audiobook

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 19, 2016

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

[Alexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Might be my new favorite book of all time. Every line is a revelation.

[Marian Beaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best-selling author of The Book of Awakening, poet/philosopher/non-fiction author Mark Nepo leads his reader further down the path of spiritual inquiry in The One Life We’re Given (2016). A cancer survivor, Nepo illustrates how all of life – its suffering, surprise, loss, beauty, and love – can heighten our appreciation of ordinary things and enrich our human connections.

The author carves his truth into four distinctive units: 1. Getting Close to Life 2. Loving What You Do 3. Finding What Can Last 4. Being Kind and Useful

My pages are dotted with traces of his wisdom and grace:

"A central theme of this book is that effort readies us for grace, as grace can never be planned for or willed to appear, only entered." (9)

“The word grace comes from the Latin, meaning “thankful.” Gratitude opens us to grace. (232) In the first half of life, we’re called to take things in. In the second half . . . we’re called to empty out over time, we’re shaped like an inlet, receiving and letting go as the tide of life softens us. (234)

“Care turning into light is the photosynthesis of grace.” (234)

Challenging the reader to recall or form a personal mythology, Nepo iterates stories that “carry deep guides who often appear through the surprise of kindness and the crack of suffering.” (15)

“Being alive is the art of reading the cracks that let God in and out of our heart.” (197) . . . In to enrich and enlarge, out to serve and enrich others.

Often images from nature become instructive: Like the hummingbird, “’effort and grace are two sides of the same moment, and this is not to be feared,’” quotes the author from a bee master. The bird can suck nectar only as it works hard to stay aloft. (76)

Other natural metaphors reinforce the learning in his chapter entitled “Asking for Our Turn” – Imagining the growth patterns of closely spaced oaks, “Branches grow around and through each other” seeking light” . . . all the branches form a majestic, unrepeatable latticework of trees. Growing toward the light is asking for our turn.”

As to suffering and pain, Nepo chides, “To have any chance of knowing joy, we must love everything in the way.” (64)

Another choice bit of advice; “When we enter life as a question to be lived rather than a problem to be solved, we can find our way in the world.” (63)

As the blurb on the book jacket assures the reader, "we are here not just to stay alive but to stay in our aliveness.”

[M.j. Radosevich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although there were some insightful sections and reflections tHe author needs editing assistance . His other book "Awakenings..." Is a better and more useful read. The daily short reflections were more helpful than this one. I did enjoy his observation of the wood worker...his father I believe...and the shaving remains reflected on the cover analogous to our shaving the layers of our life down to our beautiful core or level of vulnerability.

[Cat Rayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Began this book earlier in the year, reading in intervals of pauses between other books, or picking up in stolen few minutes as the readings were brief. Many were more thought provoking than others. Like books written in this format, the idea is to read, meditate and savor what has come to your attention.

Early in the essays, Nepo addresses the need to listen to our soul, our will. Your soul the sail, your will the rudder, in the analogous boat being your life direction. The author often refers to “soul work’ in the subsequent writings though not in a theological sense, more self-focused.

Nepo does relate his own trials and wonders of his own journey often, but it is not overwhelming and ties nicely to the point given. The end of each essay has a list of questions for the reader to answer, and there were times when considering the question aided an answer I did not know was being searched.

You will not escape introspection overall.

[Joey Rajewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

“During times of deep change, we’re forced to kneel before the silent god of patience; listening-not for direction, but for what feels real and true. Until presence leads to presence. This is how we come to listen to our soul”.
-Mark Nepo
“The one life we’re given” is the hug we have been yearning for. The experiences shared in this book by Nepo are presented in a way that relate to each and every one of us. Through Nepo’s exquisite choice in vocabulary we come to realize what is important, how each experience in life molds our soul and how deeply connected we all are to each other and the vibrations of life. It's an offering filled with wisdom, connection and an appreciation for the present moment. It's a must read for anyone who is looking for inner peace and connection.

[Francine Apollo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a bit of trouble getting into this book. I continued reading and a couple of the essays really touched me.
The author writes about life experiences; we are all shaped by loss, grief, love, etc. This book came recommended to me by a friend so I may give it another chance somewhere.
This is meant as an inspiration guide, a book for deeper exploration, I believe,. Try it if you are looking for something along these lines.

[Daphne Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a soul-searching journey I’ve taken with this book. It has started my days with a clearer view of the big picture of my life. At times, he’s a bit heady and steeped in imagery for me. I didn’t use the questions at the end of each reading. My mind had its own wondering without the additional guidance. But, I am grateful for the ways this book has lead me to myself.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the final chapter, Nepo writes, "So here we are, not very far from where we began, just deeper and more tender for this long conversation." This is how the book feels -- like a long, slow, deep, wide-ranging conversation with a good and wise friend. And yes, I do feel that I uncovered a lantern or two along the way, so thank you.

[Marianne Mullen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did like the book, but it took forever to read. I had to be in the right frame of mind. There are many insights to be gained and appreciated the journal prompts which is why I originally bought the book. Yet in reading it, I didn't feel compelled to write. I think I'll try it again in the future and see if a different phase of my life resonates with me more with it.

[Zoë]

This is not easy to follow as an audiobook. Nepo writes in detailed metaphors which are difficult to follow. There are opportunities to reflect, write, dialog about the ideas in the book, which don't translate well to a listener. This would have been more helpful as a book in hand. I'll have to redo it in that format someday!

[Diane Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Nepo is one of my new favorite authors. He is so relatable and every story was chock full of food for thought as well as food for the soul. Will definitely be looking to read more books by Mr. Nepo.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Nepo writes about life, love, grief, truth in the most poetic, yet accessible way. He turns the shared emotions and stories of our lives into heartbreakingly beautiful prose. A must read. A must share. I love this man and his work.

[Jo Townson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The loveliness! Soothing and wonderful.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely reflections on how to live authentically and courageously right in the center of grace.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 of 5.0

[Della Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. I read it through once and now I pick it up and read a few pages again at random, just to be able to think more deeply. This will be one I go back to repeatedly.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most beautiful books I've ever read.

[Kissiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A special book full of potent insights.

[Jonny Andres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just like every Nepo book I've read so far... It is excellent.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another recommendation from Liz Gilbert and really liked her podcast with him. Only read the sample and couldn't get into it.

[Fred Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this rich book line by line. Life changing words can be found in one sentence.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really beautiful, personal and encourages a deep dive into the discomfort and darker places in life, but it maintains it's wonder at life's gifts. I needed to read this right now.

[Dr. JL · Rating 1 out of 5]

Was disappointed. Too 'wimpy' not much substance. His name came up in a CSL message.

[Patti · Rating 1 out of 5]

No substance. Author told stories of family and friends trying to relate the stories to a life lesson.

[Jennifer Talarico · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I was expecting more from this book and this review may reflect that more so than the book. It felt redundant but there were some gems that were thought provoking and heart opening.

[HoneyBakedAmbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short essays with journal and conversation prompts to explore. Neto always hits this stuff out of the park.

[Mary K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continues to have such a huge impact on my life, helping me appreciate every moment. Nepo is also a perfect writer.

[Chithamparanathan Rajathagireesan · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The One Life We're Given" offers a road map into a consciousness that allows the reader to glimpse what it looks like to be One with All that is and to experience a sense of why we have come here in this lifetime.

[Margaret Cahill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would gladly follow Mark Nepo to the ends of the earth just to receive his beautiful and heartfelt words. He had a similar blood cancer to me, and I was lucky enough to interview him for Watkins Mind, Body, Spirit magazine for 'Inside the Miracle', in which he offers a selection of essays and gut wrenchingly beautiful poetry to help us through the more challenging times in our lives. Here's a man who appears to be the teacher, but in his heart is also a student so there is no arrogance, no 'this is what you have to do' feeling about any of his books. In 'The One Life We're Given' he shares enlightening and entertaining anecdotes that show we're all walking the same path, just that some of us are taking the long way round - but it doesn't matter, because it's the discoveries we make along the way that are important. Convenient sections for a daily read to inspire and support you through the day. Loved it.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could see having a copy of this book on hand, so I can read a chapter at random, whenever it's needed.