How do all these forms come out of what is formless and how do they return? The worm, the bird, the drip of dew, the tip of lavender, the cub, the mole, the stingy one, and the one who gives all. The nail and the boards it holds together, the cloud, and the root that keeps going deeper. And the idea we think we have thought, though it arrives like a drop of honey in the center of our mind from the eternal honeycomb of thought that no one owns. Just how does the stuff of life disperse into the snow that coats the mountain tops, which climbers feel compelled to climb? And how is it that all we feel and imagine comes from a snowfall inside that forms the words and gestures we cast into the world? And then, after all is given, our good will disperses like a mist of light coating everything. All this, so emblematic of a person forming and dispersing around a soul over what we call a lifetime, which, in the eye of God, is one long breath. So how do we embrace our coming and going as part of this slow quick dance? How do you and I come out of all that has been and how do we mysteriously return? I touch your unopened eye when you are born and feel the plethora of life-force bringing you alive. And in a blink, I hold your hand as you die and feel the endless wave of touch leave you. Oh, I would follow you and it, except I still have so much to give.
A Question to Walk With: Describe your own understanding of the arc of a lifetime and where you think you are in this arc.
This is the title poem from my book in progress, This Slow Quick Dance.
Mark will be offering retreats, free events, and a few special journeys in 2024. We’ve also added few new events for 2025!
Aug 16-18: You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: The Power of Friendship, weekend retreat, at Mercy By the Sea, 167 Neck Rd, Madison, CT. For more information or to register, click here.
Sept 6 at 1pm ET / 10am PT – FREE Online Event, Poets in Conversation, Join poets Mark Nepo and James Crews as they share conversation and offer insights into their new books. Click here to get the zoom link:
Sept 8 11am PT/2pm ET – FREE ONLINE EVENT You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: The Power of Friendship, Join Mark Nepo with Joel Fotinos in Conversation, hosted by Banyen Books & Sound. Register for this free event here.
Sept 16–21: You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: The Power of Friendship, a Mastery Week Retreat at the Modern Elder Academy in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Click here to get information and to register.
Sept 29 1pm PT/4pm ET: You Don’t Have to Do It Alone with Mark Nepo in Conversation with Brooke Warner, this online ticketed event is hosted by Book Passage. Register here for the zoom link.
Nov 1-3:, You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: The Net of Friendship weekend retreat at Harmony Hill Retreat Center, Union WA. Click here for information on registering.
New for 2025!!!!
Feb 10-15, 2025 Mastery Week: You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: The Power of Friendship, is a weeklong retreat at the Modern Elder Academy in Baja, guided by Mark Nepo and Jeff Hamaoui. Click here to get information and to register.
May 29 – June 4, 2025 You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: The Power of Friendship is a seven day barge journey on the rivers and canals in Belgium that includes 10 sessions with Mark exploring the gift and spirit of friendship. For full details, click here.
July 18 – 20 You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: The Power of Friendship is a 3-day retreat at Siena Retreat Center in Racine, WI. For information and to register, click here.
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