As Far As the Heart Can See

Much like his previous work, The Book of Awakening (2000), poet and teacher Nepo takes another turn at helping readers practice the art of being mindful, or, in his words, being present. But rather than give readers another daybook with pithy instructions on mindfulness and compassion, Nepo instead turns to storytelling to provide a framework for internal investigation. There are more than 40 stories, each presented with its own set of journal questions, table questions (to inspire conversation), and meditation points, and readers can choose to work straight through or pick and choose stories based on specific areas of interest. To that end, Nepo has grouped the stories into four sections:'Living on the Spiritual Path,' 'Handling Life's Obstacles,' 'Dealing with Suffering,' and 'Dealing with Personal Growth.' The stories are short and accessible, and Nepo's work as a poet shines through in his writing. Those who prefer their spiritual examinations to be soothing as well as thought provoking will be right at home with this volume.

- Taina Lagodzinski

--Booklist

Mark Nepo appeared on a different list recently-the bestsellers list-thanks to, who else, Oprah Winfrey, who liked an earlier book (The Book of Awakening) by the poet-philosopher. As Far as the Heart Can See: Stories to Illuminate the Soul is Nepo's newest, and the author, a cancer survivor who has been teaching and writing for decades, has always had fans.

- Publishers Weekly

The Martin Buber quote at the beginning of this book sets the stage for what's to follow. Best-selling author Nepo is telling stories that are meant to trigger insight. They are stories in the tradition of Kabalah; they are parables. They are emotionally charged to provoke discussion (and/or inner dialogue) and propel the reader down the path of self-discovery. For those who are reluctant to take the stories into their own hands, Nepo offers suggestions for exploration at the end of each of the forty-five tales. The stories themselves are brief, perfectly tailored to modern readers' stressful, multi-tasking lives. Nepo's tone is intelligently lyrical, with the rich conciseness of Haiku. This will make a great, feel-good gift item. Consider pairing it with journals and with books of modern poetry, ethnic folk tales, and easily-readable versions of ancient myths. You might want to gather feedback by asking customers to tell you which of the stories was their favorite.

--Anna Jedrziewski

New Age Retailer