The Exquisite Risk: Daring to Live an Authentic Life

In these fast-paced times, the exquisite risk facing each of us every day is to slow down and "still our own house" so that we may experience life rather than simply manage it. In "The Exquisite Risk," poet and teacher Mark Nepo encourages readers to become quiet enough and open enough to listen to what truly matters—our own hearts, our loved ones, the wonders of nature—in order to live a life with nothing held back. In rich, lyrical prose, Nepo shares his own spiritual path, including a battle with illness that helped him understand how only by daring to embrace all that life has to offer can we come to a deeper appreciation of its meaning and beauty. In the spirit of works by Deepak Chopra and Ram Dass, "The Exquisite Risk" unfolds in chapters like "The Struggle to Be Real," "There Are Teachers Everywhere," "The Rhythm of Kindness," and "The Gift of Surprise," offering fresh perspective on the art of being alive and providing essential insight into how we can minimize what stands between us and our experience of life.

"From the Hardcover edition."

“"Once again, Mark Nepo draws us to the heart of what matters. He illuminates love with the light of his own understanding." --Marianne Williamson " The Exquisite Risk is a celebration of an honest life, lived on purpose. Mark Nepo's words, like water on a stone, gently but firmly score a path for us to follow, a path that leads us into the place of remembering what a life is for; an invitation to tell the truth, remain close to the earth, and love well. What, more than this, can we ever ask of a book as our companion?" --Wayne Muller, author of Learning to Pray , Sabbath , and How, Then, Shall We Live? "Every page of The Exquisite Risk is alive with Mark's compassion, rich with his soulfulness. If you are looking for one of those rare books that offer companionship on the journey, you will find none better than this." --Parker J. Palmer, author of A Hidden Wholeness , The Courage to Teach , and Let Your Life Speak "An inspiration . . . The Exquisite Risk affirms that there are essentially two responses to life--a risky opening up to love and a controlling move into success and isolation. The direct reporting of Mark Nepo's epiphanies moves and flows in a wonderful sequencing of revelations that deepen and fill out as we read. . . . An exquisite gift."--Robert Inchausti, author of The Ignorant Perfection of Ordinary People”

"Once again, Mark Nepo draws us to the heart of what matters. He illuminates love with the light of his own understanding." --Marianne Williamson

""The Exquisite Risk" is a celebration of an honest life, lived on purpose. Mark Nepo's words, like water on a stone, gently but firmly score a path for us to follow, a path that leads us into the place of remembering what a life is for; an invitation to tell the truth, remain close to the earth, and love well. What, more than this, can we ever ask of a book as our companion?" --Wayne Muller, author of "Learning to Pray", "Sabbath", and "How, Then, Shall We Live?"

"Every page of "The Exquisite Risk" is alive with Mark's compassion, rich with his soulfulness. If you are looking for one of those rare books that offer companionship on the journey, you will find none better than this." --Parker J. Palmer, author of "A Hidden Wholeness", "The Courage to Teach", and" Let Your Life Speak"

"An inspiration . . . "The Exquisite Risk" affirms that there are essentially two responses to life--a risky opening up to love and a controlling move into success and isolation. The direct reporting of Mark Nepo's epiphanies moves and flows in a wonderful sequencing of revelations that deepen and fill out as we read. . . . An exquisite gift."--Robert Inchausti, author of "The Ignorant Perfection of Ordinary People"


"From the Hardcover edition."

Mark Nepo is a poet and philosopher who has taught in the fields of poetry and spirituality for more than thirty years. In 1987, Mark was diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma, and as he went through his cancer experience, the lack of books available to guide him through made a deep and lasting impression. As a result, Mark has since devoted himself to the usefulness of daily inner life. He has published twelve books and recorded five CDs, including The Book of Awakening, which was chosen by Oprah Winfrey in 2010 as One of Her Favorite Things.

Mark's prolific body of work also include

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