Given that I almost died from cancer, I have had several attribute my survival to some deep wherewithal within me that crisis awakened. But humbly, I must clarify the resilience that helped save my life was not just some reservoir within me. It did not come from me alone. But through facing what was mine to face, I was given access to much more than me. I think this is the paradox about resilience.
Only by being thoroughly and completely authentic can we access the well of all being and all souls, which then fills us and buoys us. Through inhabiting our humanness, with its gifts and limitations, our authenticity meets what we have in common with all souls and this is where resilience floods us-making us completely who we are and, at the same time, much more than who we are. The experience of resilience is a great example of effort meeting grace.
A Question to Walk With: Tell the story of someone who helped you discover your own resilience. What did they do to help you? How do you understand your own resilience? Where does it reside in you? This excerpt is from my book in progress, The Ocean of Being.
Mark’s 2022 Calendar
FEB 19–20: First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor, MI, Pain, Fear, and Things As They Are, Sat Workshop 1–5PM, Heartwork: Being a Spirit in the World, Service Talks, Sunday, 9:30AM & 11:30AM EST. REGISTER HERE. Event is in person.
FEB 25–26: Jung Society of Utah, Salt Lake City, Fri Meet and Greet, 6–7PM MT, Fri Rdg and Conversation, The Book of Soul, 7–9PM MT, Book Signing. Sat Workshop, Reclaiming Our Humanity, 9–1PM MT. REGISTER HERE. Event is in person.
MARCH 18–20: Copper Beech Institute, Hartford, CT, The Book of Soul, Weekend Retreat. REGISTER HERE. Event is in person.
APRIL 8–10: Pine Manor Retreat Center, Weekend Retreat, The Deeper Teachers: Pain, Fear, and Grief. REGISTER HERE. Event is in person.
For a full calendar of upcoming events, visit: ThreeIntentions.com and/or MarkNepo.com
