On the Brink of Everything : Grace, Gravity, and Getting Old

**From beloved and bestselling author Parker J. Palmer** __(Let Your Life Speak, The Courage to Teach, Healing the Heart of Democracy),__ **comes a beautiful book of reflections on what we can learn as we move closer to "the brink of everything."**Drawing on eight decades of life -- and his career as a writer, teacher, and activist -- Palmer explores the questions age raises and the promises it holds. "Old," he writes, "is just another word for nothing left to lose, a time to dive deep into life, not withdraw to the shallows."**But this book is not for elders only. It was written to encourage adults of all ages to explore the way their lives are unfolding. It's not a how-to-do-it book on aging, but a set of meditations in prose and poetry that turn the prism on the meaning(s) of one's life, refracting new light at every turn.** From beginning to end, the book is laced with humor as well as gravitas -- beautifully enhanced by three free downloadable songs from the gifted singer-songwriter **Carrie Newcomer**, written in response to themes in the book. **Table of Contents**Prelude I. The View from the Brink: What I Can See from Here II. Young & Old: The Dance of the Generations III. Getting Real: From Illusion to Reality IV. Work & Vocation: Writing a Life V. Keep Reaching Out: Staying Engaged with the World VI. Keep Reaching In: Staying Engaged with Your Soul VII. Over the Edge: Where We Go When We Die Postlude "This impassioned book invites readers to the deep end of life where authentic soul work and human transformation become pressing concerns." — Publishers Weekly 2019 Independent Publisher Book Awards Gold Medalist in the Aging/Death & Dying Category From bestselling author Parker J. Palmer comes a brave and beautiful book for all who want to age reflectively, seeking new insights and life-giving ways to engage in the world. "Age itself," he says, "is no excuse to wade in the shallows. It's a reason to dive deep and take creative risks." Looking back on eight decades of life—and on his work as a writer, teacher, and activist—Palmer explores what he's learning about self and world, inviting readers to explore their own experience. In prose and poetry—and three downloadable songs written for the book by the gifted Carrie Newcomer—he meditates on the meanings of life, past, present, and future. With compassion and chutzpah, gravitas and levity, Palmer writes about cultivating a vital inner and outer life, finding meaning in suffering and joy, and forming friendships across the generations that bring new life to young and old alike. "This book is a companion for not merely surviving a fractured world, but embodying—like Parker—the fiercely honest and gracious wholeness that is ours to claim at every stage of life. " —Krista Tippett, New York Times -bestselling author of Becoming Wise "A wondrously rich mix of reality and possibility, comfort and story, helpful counsel and poetry, in the voice of a friend . . . This is a book of immense gratitude, consolation, and praise." —Naomi Shihab Nye, National Book Award finalist From beloved and bestselling author Parker J. Palmer (Let Your Life Speak, The Courage to Teach, Healing the Heart of Democracy), comes a beautiful book of reflections on what we can learn as we move closer to "the brink of everything." Drawing on eight decades of life -- and his career as a writer, teacher, and activist -- Palmer explores the questions age raises and the promises it holds. "Old," he writes, "is just another word for nothing left to lose, a time to dive deep into life, not withdraw to the shallows." But this book is not for elders only. It was written to encourage adults of all ages to explore the way their lives are unfolding. It's not a how-to-do-it book on aging, but a set of meditations in prose and poetry that turn the prism on the meaning(s) of one's life, refracting new light at every turn. From beginning to end, the book is laced with humor as well as gravitas -- beautifully enhanced by three free downloadable songs from the gifted singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer , written in response to themes in the book. Table of Contents Prelude I. The View from the Brink: What I Can See from Here II. Young & Old: The Dance of the Generations III. Getting Real: From Illusion to Reality IV. Work & Vocation: Writing a Life V. Keep Reaching Out: Staying Engaged with the World VI. Keep Reaching In: Staying Engaged with Your Soul VII. Over the Edge: Where We Go When We Die Postlude "From beloved and bestselling author Parker J. Palmer (Let Your Life Speak, The Courage to Teach, Healing the Heart of Democracy), comes a beautiful book of reflections on what we can learn as we move closer to "the brink of everything." Drawing on eight decades of life -- and his career as a writer, teacher, and activist -- Palmer explores the questions age raises and the promises it holds. "Old," he writes, "is just another word for nothing left to lose, a time to dive deep into life, not withdraw to the shallows." But this book is not for elders only. It was written to encourage adults of all ages to explore the way their lives are unfolding. It's not a how-to-do-it book on aging, but a set of meditations in prose and poetry that turn the prism on the meaning(s) of one's life, refracting new light at every turn. From beginning to end, the book is laced with humor as well as gravitas -- beautifully enhanced by three free downloadable songs from the gifted singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer, written in response to themes in the book"-- Provided by publisher Aging as a passage of discovery and engagement From bestselling author Parker J. Palmer comes a brave and beautiful book for all who want to age reflectively, seeking new insights and life-giving ways to engage in the world. "Age itself," he says, "is no excuse to wade in the shallows. It's a reason to dive deep and take creative risks." Looking back on eight decades of life—and on his work as a writer, teacher, and activist—Palmer explores what he's learning about self and world, inviting readers to explore their own experience. In prose and poetry—and three downloadable songs written for the book by the gifted Carrie Newcomer—he meditates on the meanings of life, past, present, and future. "The laws of nature that dictate sundown dictate our demise. But how we travel the arc toward the sunset of our lives is ours to choose: will it be denial, defiance, or collaboration?" With compassion and chutzpah, gravitas and levity, Palmer writes about... Ahora que se acerca a los 80 años, el autor de best sellers Parker J. Palmer explora los temas recurrentes de su vida: la importancia de comprometerse con la vida misma y con el mundo; conectar con las generaciones más jóvenes; la vida como escritor; la búsqueda de sentido, y la aceptación de sí mismo y de los demás. Esta colección de ensayos, reflexiones y poemas trata sobre la gracia, la gravedad y la vejez. Palmer es un activista comunitario que abraza el perdón y la no violencia. Algunos lectores podrían oponerse a su interjección de la política en la filosofía; otros se identificarán con su dilema. getAbstract recomienda la conmovedora y perspicaz colección de Palmer a líderes espirituales, a cualquiera que anhele vivir una vida más plena y consciente, y a aquellos que busquen un mentor, guía o compañero en el viaje de su vida From beloved bestselling author Parker J. Palmer (Let Your Life Speak) comes a beautiful book of meditations and reflections on eight decades of life, the process of aging, his own spiritual journey (which has never been confined to a creed), and his vocation as a writer and thinker.On the Brink of Everything is an exploration of Parker Palmer's experience of living and aging, written in hopes of encouraging readers of every age to explore their life course. It is not a'guide to'or'handbook'for'getting old'--something all of us are doing all the time. Instead it's a set of meditations in prose and poetry that turn the prism on the meaning(s) of one's life--and on the importance of staying meaningfully engaged with life until the end. From beginning to end the book is packed with both humor and gravitas. "On the Brink of Everything is an exploration of Parker Palmer's experience of living and aging, written in hopes of encouraging readers of every age to explore their life course. It is not a "guide to" or "handbook" for "getting old"--something all of us are doing all the time. Instead it's a set of meditations in prose and poetry that turn the prism on the meaning(s) of one's life--and on the importance of staying meaningfully engaged with life until the end. From beginning to end the book is packed with both humor and gravitas"-- With gratitude Prelude The view from the brink: what I can see from here Young and old: the dance of the generations Getting real: from illusion to reality Work and vocation: writing a life Keep reaching out: staying engaged with the world Keep reaching in: staying engaged with your soul Over the edge: where we go when we die Postlude. Drawing on eight decades of life, and his career as a writer, teacher, and activist, the author of this thoughtful book explores the questions age raises and the promises it holds. -- Edited summary from book