The Book of Awakening: Having the Life You Want by Being Present to the Life You Have

Courageous, Honest, and Motivating

This short series of motivational vignettes address the author's (a poet) experience of life. His love, loss, friendships, fight against cancer, moments of joy...it's all there in a lyrical thrust of wisdom and perspective on what's to be valued in this life. Like, Emotional Intelligence 2.0, it's the kind of book you want to keep by your bedside and check in with nightly. I thumb through it as I drift off to sleep and reading passages on those mornings where it's hard to find the motivation to leap out of bed and seize the day. Leaning on their wisdom makes life that much sweeter.

It may sound too simple at first from afar, but once you experience the book you'll see how much it helps you to appreciate each day that you've been given on this earth.

16 out of 17 people found this review helpful.

Pass Go (this book) and Go Directly to God !

I was given this book as a gift by a friend. While I was touched by the intent of the gift, I could not believe the "hooey" in this book. I had a hard time getting past the introduction where the author describes the "orange light" of clarity he saw through his orange juice ! No where in this book did I see any reference to God (or ANY higher power). He seems to think that surviving cancer has given him some great wisdom or insight into the "ways of the world". I am the first to admit that surviving cancer may give one a heightened sense of how they spend their time left on this earth; but many, many people survive cancer and don't go around perpetuating the religion of the "orange light". Pass on this book, for sure.

9 out of 31 people found this review helpful.

Highly Recommended? Definitely!

This is often the first thing I pick up to read to start my day in the morning and the last thing that I read before bed. It is very uplifting and would definitely make a great gift this holiday season. I'd also recommend that you buy "When God Stopped Keeping Score," an intimate look at the power of God and forgiveness. Given the chance, this book too will change your life.

7 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

A good companion

I try to read this book every night before I go to sleep. It puts my mind in a peaceful, yet present state, ready for dream land. I love how each day has a very specific message and meditation exercise...and the chapters are at the longest a page and a half...so they are really tightly packed with spiritual wisdom. Sometimes, I find that he overdoes it with the language. It's very flowery sometimes, and I find that that tends to cloud the more important message behind how he's saying something: WHAT he's saying. I care about WHAT he's saying, NOT how he says it...and I find that sometimes he goes a little bananas with the language. But I have been very committed to the book, and I anticipate that I will pick it up for the rest of my life as a helpful companion on my journey. I do recommend this book for anybody who wants to have a more centered, peaceful, present and spiritual life.

5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

An Everyday Must

I found this book 2 1/2 years ago and it is my everyday companion to gently remind me of what is really important in this world.

5 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

The Book of Awakening.

I loved this book! Very inspirational. It's very Zen-like. Wonderful.

4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

Superb!

This book is a pure joy to peruse. Read one section a day, browse, or from cover to cover, it doesn't matter. This book deserves to be on a list of life's simple pleasures. Presented in daybook format, each section is headed by a quote or passage which relates to that day's reading. I assume the unidentified ones are Mark Nepo's. I am going to attempt to find all his other works. His insights are truly deep, not preachy or pedantic. Each day includes meditations and exercises, which I don't do, but probably should. The writings themselves are enough to enrich my day.

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Not a daily devotion!

I made the mistake of buying this thinking it was a daily devotional. While the words or nice and full of "fluff", there is no mention of God and the book is not written with any reference to the bible or based on biblical principles or morals. Mr. Nepo may very well be a nice guy with good writing skills, but he is also a man who was healed of cancer by the grace of God....the only One who can truly save us.

3 out of 22 people found this review helpful.

This book is one of Oprah's favorite things.

This is one of Oprah's favorite things. This lovely book of great inspiration is a day-to-day guide from a man who has traveled through battles such as cancer, to give examples that inspire us to carry on and to see the light. Well-chosen quotations help us find that deeper meaning to life and to see ourselves in all our glory. This book should be shared with the people you care about.

2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Wonderful, inspiring book!

I loved this book! It is perfect for a quick morning meditation, and great way to start my day. Each day has a simple exercise for you to do and then a meditation. The readings are geared to grow your spirituality day by day. I would recomend this book to anyone who is beginning to meditate and would like a way to start their day our inspired!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Wonderful!

This book is perfect-very spiritual and thoughtful, without being Jesus-y. Each day has either given me something new to think about, or has shown me a new way to perceive something I thought I already knew. The meditation prompts at the end of each essay are pleasant and peaceful.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Though the subtitle may seem a bit cheesy, don't let it fool you

Though the subtitle may seem a bit cheesy, don't let it fool you. This is one of the most inspirational books I have ever read. It's daily simple readings always lift me up when I'm feeling down. It definitely helps putting things in perspective in an "out of the box" sort of way. One of my favorites. :)

The Best Daily Reader!!

I was given this book as a gift and loved it so much I ordered it for my Nook so I could have it with me when I travel. So well written and inspirational.

This book is bringing me much comfort and spirituality into my l

This book is bringing me much comfort and spirituality into my life. I recently awoken after being dead inside for over 15 years. I took a risk, fell in love, and promptly had my heart crushed. I now see that love is everywhere. I even sent the Heartbreaker a copy!

Beautiful inspiration

I have loved searching through this book to find inspiration and perspective

inspirational

Reading one chapter a day will lift your spirits!

Great inspiration for teachers!

Great for yoga teachers!

Treasure

I really enjoy each nugget given by the day. Its a great spiritiual tool but its not religious

I Just Want To Say Thank You.

I don't know what more I can say about Mark Nepo's book than what has already been said. Instead, I'd like to say thank you to those that brought "When God Stopped Keeping Score," causing it to be featured on this page. Because of this, I brought it the minute I saw it. This book has honestly changed everything that I thought I knew the power of God in forgiveness. Don't take my word for it. Read it for yourself and find out why for yourself.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Wonderful Daily Motivational/Devotional Resource

I use this every day. Wonderful!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.