Things That Join the Sea and the Sky: Field Notes on Living

by Mark Nepo

A Reader for Navigating the Depths of Our LivesThe Universe holds us and tosses us about, only to hold us again. With Things That Join the Sea and the Sky, Mark Nepo brings us a compelling treasury of short prose reflections to turn to when struggling to keep our heads above water, and to breathe into all of our sorrows and joys.Inspired by his own journal writing across 15 years, this book shares with us some of Mark’s most personal work. Many passages arise from accounts of his own life events—moments of “sinking and being lifted”—and the insights they yielded. Through these passages, we’re encouraged to navigate our own currents of sea and sky, and to discover something fundamental yet How, simply, to be here.To be enjoyed in many ways—individually, by topic, or as an unfolding sequence—Things That Join the Sea and the Sky presents 145 contemplations gathered into 17 themes, each intended to illuminate specific situations.The themes Unraveling Our Fear, Beyond What Goes Wrong, The Gift of Deepening, The Practice of Relationship, What Holds Us Up, Right-Sizing Our Pain, The Reach of Kindness, Burning Off What’s Unnecessary, How We Make Our Way and many more.For those interested in either beginning or expanding their own journaling explorations, this reader also provides a guide to the practice of daily writing, with 100 compelling questions to get us started. “Joy is the sea that holds all,” writes Mark, “the Unity of Being where feelings don’t separate, but surface like waves to remind us we are alive.”Here, he helps us swim in those waters until we are held in the mystery of their buoyancy.

Genres: Nonfiction, Poetry, Spirituality, Memoir, Essays, Self Help, Inspirational

266 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2017

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

[Stephanie Barko · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the May 2022 selection of South Austin Spiritual Book Group and I am leading our discussion of it on Zoom, May 26, Thursday.

You are welcome to join us @ 1 PM CDT from this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82260441264...

[Colleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Overall I did not enjoy this book very much. This book tries way, way too hard to be philosophical and introspective, and it shows. Unfortunately, almost every vignette is so short is comes off as extremely shallow, barely skimming the surface of the topic he was trying to dig into. Many times I had no idea what it was he was really trying to get across with a vignette, because it was short, shallow, and tried to hard to be philosophical. This book uses a lot of words without really saying much at all. He would have benefited greatly from a better editor that was willing to tell him which vignettes to dump and which to expand upon.

The author also changes voice, sometimes using first person (I, me) and sometimes using second person (you). This became very disorienting, especially considering we are never told who this mysterious "you" is he refers to. It's obviously sometime important in his life, but he provides no indication of who that is or why he only sometimes addresses this person.

There are a few good juicy nuggets scattered throughout the book. The best part was at the end, when he discussed how he uses journaling for personal development and discovery, and provided a long list of journaling prompts for the reader. This section seemed out of place in the context of the rest of the book, though. Aside from this section, the rest of this book is mostly just a waste of time.

[Mary K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this book 3 stars rather than 2 only because Nepo is one of my favorite writers and I’ve loved all his other books. This book, however, was too inward-looking for me to feel engaged. I read this “confession” in the intro but since I love memoirs, I didn’t give it a thought. But it just wasn’t the type of book I’m used to by this author. Also, I’m sadly not a fan of poetry - although I love, even require, gorgeous prose - I just squirm around poetry and that’s exactly what this book felt like. It was also very repetitive. If you haven’t read Mark Nepo before, don’t start with this book.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things That Join the Sea and the Sky contains beautiful prose vignettes about life's experiences that connect us all while giving lessons to remember and revisit. The book is wise and wonderful!

Major topics include: Stopping the Noise; Unravelling Our Fear; Beyond What Goes Wrong; The Gift of Deepening; The Practice of Relationship; What Holds Us Up; Navigating Trouble; Right-sizing Our Pain; Shedding Our Masks; The Reach of Kindness; The Radiance of All Things; Burn Off What's Unnecessary; Finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary; Always Building & Amending; The Strength of Our Attention; Letting Everything In & Through; How We Make Our Way; Threading Inner & Outer; the Practice of Journaling.

I challenge anyone to read this book and not find something that they want to make note of. I bookmarked over 20 pages and plan to put this book on my "Keeper" shelf so I can revisit it time and again!

Many thanks to Netgalley, Mark Nepo & Sounds True Publishing for allowing me the privilege of reading an e-ARC of this wonderful book!

[Kait · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Maybe all my sufferings have been carving me into a statue."

I truly loved this book in its entirety. All of the journals had a very peaceful and reassuring undertone to the often hard or painful topics discussed. Everytime I closed this book I had to
take a deep breath and really decompose what the reading made me feel - because it definitely made me feel a lot. This book is hopeful and reminded me that life goes on and we keep growing, regardless of the troubles and pain placed upon us. While most of the pieces themselves were quite vague, I felt that this allowed me to relate the writing to my own life experiences, and made reading
this book feel even more vulnerable and personal. Others were more story-like and detailed experiences of his own, but still left me thinking about my own life. I would recommend this book to anyone going through a "midlife crisis" or someone looking to ponder the many feelings of life, love, pain, and healing. This book was definitely a journey of healing.

[Hannah Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Nepo's wisdom helps me organize my thoughts, think about my priorities, and gives me the push I need when I'm not giving my life 100%. This is a great book to have lying around for moments when you need a spark, change of perspective, or you're feeling sluggish. It's comprised of a handful of Nepo's journal entries, which are short so you can read one or more depending on the time you have that day. My favorite moment happens on page 165. Nepo writes about a friend, who is a painter, and how this friend wanted to meet Ted Kooser (one of my favorite poets) while he was in the town where Kooser lives - Dwight, NE. So the painter stopped by Kooser's home and left a note for him. Later, the painter made a painting of a barn he saw while he was visiting Dwight and sent it to Kooser. How cool is that?

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book is to be present for the painting created by layers of words that appear to be word “salad” at first - yet they hauntingly glide into my awareness on a level that passes the guardians of rationality and on to that private place of pure feeling... I want to meet this man in person for both the powerful artistry of his words and to be present and fully attuned to my awareness. I experience something wonderful happening yet words cannot give proper credit it’s due. This book goes beyond reading... it is to be FELT.

I wonder who he talks about - who he loves and how he sees and appreciates that person.
This book is an invitation for the reader and the writer to dance with their souls.

[valeria cazzetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually write many reviews but when I do it's because I felt deeply touched by one. I've read this book slowly, 3 to 5 thoughts per day in the morning before starting other activities, this book offers real pieces of treasures by the author. Short stories, little poems, personal thoughts ... and some of them are so beautifully written that I started reading them aloud to my partner, who's more into Sci-Fi and fantasy books ... but I could see in his eyes he was also touched Mark Nepo's words. I highly recommend this book to everyone who wants to live more mindfully.

[Mindy Kannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This year I’m making it a goal of mine to read a lot of journals. I find peoples’ observations of common things preferably nature, fascinates me. I find this book to be incredibly well written with beautiful verses that are very very thought-provoking. I like the fact of the last chapter talks about journaling and he gives you a list of 100 questions that you can use as journal prompts. Very interesting

[Tracymarksseglin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t remember when something I read reached into my mind and soul and so eloquently reflected back to me what resided there. I thought they were my own unique musings. I had no idea they were shared by anyone else! At times, I actually found myself gasping or nodding, recognizing words on the page as the precise interpretation of a vague thought or feeling. This book was exquisite as both philosophy and poetry.

[January Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful and you can relate to it. Read slowly and savor the words and meaning. You will think about this book long after you finish reading it.

[Trina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book that I read bits at a time-not a text to be rushed. Many of the essays and journal entries and lines were pieces I savored. My favorite part of this book is the list of questions to journal about at the end. This book leaves me wanting to read more from Mark Nepo. He has so much wisdom to share.

[Jess Macallan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is another beautiful book by Mark Nepo. His writings are lyrical, poignant and wise. Although these notes are short, they're powerful because he gets to the heart of each moment with startling clarity. I gave up on bookmarking my favorites because I needed to take time to sit with each piece. This isn't a book to rush through, but rather one to savor and sift through and reread often. He brings his observations alive in ways the reader will easily follow and appreciate. There's a beautiful message in each piece, and this is a book I'll gift to my nearest and dearest.

My few of my favorite notes were Beyond the Telling, The Gift of Deepening, In Case, Shedding Our Masks, Of Course You Can Come, and Instructions to my Smaller Self. I suspect I'll find others each time I reread it.

[Jen (bookscoffeedogs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Was exquisite. His journal writings are so slowly digested and left me in awe of the magnificence and universal suffering that is life. Was a beautiful reminder to revel in the little moments. Will be on my nightstand forever for quick reference when I begin to forget what is important in life.

[Bet · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. The cover, the layout, the idea of it was beautiful. And there were a few gems here, mostly in the last section on journaling. But the purple prose made me cringe with embarrassment for the author. Much of the time, I think his over-use of metaphor and simile disguise what he is really trying to say. Where was his editor?

[Paige · Rating 2 out of 5]

Took me two years to finish this book (I got it right when it was released!). And I eat up spiritual books. And I love Mark Nepo! Maybe everything went over my head, because I just did not get a lot of it. Best part was the journal prompts at the end.

[Degan Walters · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some nicely written passages but also some quizzical and some boring ones. in the end I’m just not interested in antother old white man’s thoughts on how to live life right now.

[Bradley Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Little journal like reflections on life. Enjoyed working slowly through a few at a time.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark's writing never disappoints; lovely thoughts/essays/prose.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that these are short prose and that they still reveal what's in his heart and wisdom. I really enjoyed reading these and having his beautiful writing open up what resonates for me.

[Priyanka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magical.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

So insightful, I'm re-reading it already, just days after I finished it the first time.

[Emily Glenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Nepo created a remarkable collection of thoughts, feelings and experiences in his book. Through this collection of essays he invites his readers to consider profound aspects of mundane things and feel so entirely moved by them. I found this book for free and was lucky enough to come across markings of favorite passages from the previous owner. It was a special experience to find and love passages that some stranger before me had enjoyed enough to make distinct. Nepo also includes a list of 100 reflective questions to ponder and journal on in the end of the book and that might just be my favorite part!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The language that the author uses is really beautiful. I wish his ideas were more condensed, but I also suspect many people will appreciate this book for what it is. It is a good book to skim through to let your eyes fall upon some reslly nice parts such as "And the sadness in my heart, which is falling like snow, keeps saying, Be thankful. You’re going to wake. And the sun slipping through the trees stuns me with its assurance, You are awake".

*Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review*

[A Library Page · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is basically a compilation of verses, poems, and swatches of writing that the author has wrote over different periods of his life. All of the it is written in a rather poetic way, though sometimes it worked against the serious themes he was trying to portray, and the constant use of the same metaphors for different things made some of the book confusing to unpack and actually understand what was happening to him at the time. I do have to say that the authors ability to translate raw emotion into writing is incredible. Overall it was an interesting read for sure.

[Susan Kietzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gift from two dear friends, Things That Join the Sea and the Sky: Field Notes on Living is a love letter to life. Poet and philosopher Mark Nepo's short passages about nature, relationships, everyday objects - anything that comes into his mind - both sit on the surface and reveal deeper truths. I read one each day, often before dawn, and was left swimming in a sea of peaceful reflection. Tomorrow, I start The Book of Awakening.

[Michael Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This might not be the book you expect. It has some great examples of Mark’s creative thinking as expressed in his journals and then some excellent instruction or guidance on how to write journals complete with some topic suggestions. I enjoyed it immensely, apart from his fake Buddha quote, and it has me reassessing my morning ritual as to whether I am writing a diary or a journal and how his comments fit with my following of the Natalie Goldberg “Writing Down The Bones” method.

[Jayson Bradley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried. God knows I did. Some authors have a driving earnestness to be deep, poetic, and philosophical--occasionally they can fool people into believing they are if they write short, pithy, and opaque content.

In the end, this came across like meringue. Sweet and airy with very little substance.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a book you read cover to cover. Its one to thumb through and stop now and then. Very comforting and enlightening.