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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
This plays out like a gracious visit with an aging friend, pretty much exactly as you’d expect. Parker Palmer borrows and brings poetry to bear on an observed life, and invites us all to deeper intentionality and mindfulness. Several of the essays in the book are stellar, and a few are fairly run-of-the-mill Parker. Perhaps the books structure reflects the act of aging itself- a continual dive into unknowing, a time of reflection, wondering and wandering. A good read with plenty of food for thought.
A good book and one to buy, not borrow. It's a compilation of Parker's work. It felt a bit like a puzzle in how it was compiled Or a poetry collection. It does not read as a unified story.
Very interesting and inspiring gentleman.
Very interesting and inspiring gentleman.
When I get a glimpse in the heart of a generative man, the education is priceless. This book talks to the maturity that is absolutely necessary for growth, both spiritual and personal.
I love Parker Palmer’s work - my timing was just wrong on this one.
In my first graduate program when I was doing a project on Thomas Merton, my Vanderbilt professor suggested I get in touch with Parker Palmer who had done work on Merton. Palmer was very kind and wrote back a lovely letter. Since then, I have found many of his own writings helpful in life. "On the Brink of Everything" did not disappoint--essays, poetry (his own and others), and some references to Carrie Newcomer songs (they have collaborated for several years).
Some quotes to make note of:
"I no longer ask 'What do I want to let go of, and what do I want to hang on to?' Instead I ask 'What do I want to let go of, and what do I want to give myself to?'" (27)
"This is all I know for sure: I have no bad memories of wherever I came from when I arrived on this planet, so I have no good reason to fear where I'm going when I take my leave" (28).
"The only way to become whole is to put our arms lovingly around everything we know ourselves to be: self-serving and generous, spiteful and compassionate, cowardly and courageous, treacherous and trustworthy" (174). Three other things: "reach out to the younger generation . . . to learn from them, gain energy from them, and support them on their way; move toward what you fear, not away from it; spend as much time as you can in the natural world" (176).
Some quotes to make note of:
"I no longer ask 'What do I want to let go of, and what do I want to hang on to?' Instead I ask 'What do I want to let go of, and what do I want to give myself to?'" (27)
"This is all I know for sure: I have no bad memories of wherever I came from when I arrived on this planet, so I have no good reason to fear where I'm going when I take my leave" (28).
"The only way to become whole is to put our arms lovingly around everything we know ourselves to be: self-serving and generous, spiteful and compassionate, cowardly and courageous, treacherous and trustworthy" (174). Three other things: "reach out to the younger generation . . . to learn from them, gain energy from them, and support them on their way; move toward what you fear, not away from it; spend as much time as you can in the natural world" (176).
Having really enjoyed work retreats based on Parker Palmer's work, I gave this 4 stars but that might be a little generous. It is a collection of his works but feels a little disjointed. There are definitely some pearls that make this book worth reading and I appreciate his honesty about his own struggles with depression.
I just could not get into this book, so I did not finish it. (My rating for an unfinished book is a 1). The author is reflecting on turning 80. Perhaps it will have more relevance to me in 20 years...
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
challenging