Weekly Reflection: Canoeing
Canoeing We were porting our canoe between two rivers, crossing the watershed that divides them. It was a good, thorough day and camping under the stars, we went to bed early. That night, I dreamt that years after we’re gone, the divide will disappear. In time, it will become one waterway. And no one will know of our efforts to cross the divide. When I woke, this felt inevitable and holy. As we broke camp, I struggled, feeling sad that we will disappear. While paddling that day on the upper river, you broke the silence, as if you read my mind, to say, “It’s all we can hope for, really, to carry what matters across the divide, over and over, until the divide disappears.” A Question to Walk With: In conversation with a friend or trusted loved one, have each of you describe your current efforts to carry what matters across a divide. Try to be specificabout in describing what matters and in describing the divide. This is from my book of poems in progress, In the Clearing.
Join Mark in Conversation with Joel Fotinos, May 20th The Language of the Soul Book Talk & Signing
What does it mean to speak from the soul? Mark’s newest book, The Language of the Soul: How the Words You Choose Shape the Life You Live, explores one of the most intimate questions we can ask ourselves: how the language we reach for shapes not just what we say, but how we experience being alive.
On Wednesday evening, May 20th, Mark will sit down with Joel Fotinos, Founder, Vice President, and Editorial Director of St. Martin’s Essentials, for a conversation that goes behind the book. Joel has been Mark’s editor and publisher across six books now, and together they bring a rare depth of shared creative history to this kind of conversation.
“I’m excited to offer this publication event with my publisher and editor Joel Fotinos. This is my sixth book with St. Martin’s Essentials that Joel and the SME team have midwifed with me. It does take a village to birth a book. I hope you can join us.”
—Mark
This is Mark’s first and only New York City event of 2026, and your $35 registration includes a copy of The Language of the Soul, available the evening of the event.
Wed, May 20th | 6:30–8pm, The Balance Arts Center, 151 W. 30th St, 3rd Fl, NY
More Ways to Sit With The Language of the Soul
The conversation continues. Following the May publication of The Language of the Soul, Mark will be gathering with readers in person across several events this year. Whether you are drawn to a quiet retreat setting, an intimate afternoon with fellow readers, or a community bookstore, there is a way in for you.
Aug 28–30 | Mercy by the Sea, Madison, CT A multi-day retreat immersion with Mark centered on The Language of the Soul. Mercy by the Sea is a place of genuine stillness, and this kind of extended time with the work and with others who are drawn to it is rare. Commuter spots are currently available. Mercy by the Sea’s ministry also offers partial scholarships for those in need.
Register here | Learn more about scholarship support
Sep 13 | Book Passage, Corte Madera, CA | 1pm PT An intimate afternoon conversation between Mark and Brooke Warner at one of California’s most beloved independent bookstores. This is the kind of exchange that reminds you why books matter and why the people who love them find each other.
Sep 15 | Godmothers Bookstore, near Santa Barbara, CA An intimate in-person gathering with Mark at Godmothers, a bookstore that already carries something of the spirit this book is reaching toward. Ticketed and limited.
Upcoming Events with Mark in 2026-2027
May 15–17: The Fifth Season: Creativity in the Second Half of Life, The Sophia Institute, Charleston, South Carolina. Click here to register – IN PERSON & ONLINE
May 20: Mark Nepo in Conversation with Joel Fotinos, celebrating The Language of the Soul at the Balance Arts Center, 151 W. 30th St, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10001. Time: 6:30-8pm. Click here to register *Your $35 registration includes a copy of The Language of the Soul – IN PERSON
May 28: The Fifth Season: Creativity in the Second Half of Life, Kalamazoo Public Library, 315 South Rose St., Kalamazoo,MI 49007 5:30 pm–7:30 pm FREE EVENT Click here to register – IN PERSON
June 19-21: The Fifth Season: Creativity in the Second Half of Life, Omega Institute, Click here for more information. – IN PERSON
Aug 28–30: The Language of the Soul, Mercy by the Sea, Madison, CT. Click here to register. *Mercy by the Sea only has “commuter spots” available. Once again, their ministry is willing to offer partial scholarships to those in need. Learn more and apply here. - IN PERSON
Sep 12: The Fifth Season: Creativity in the Second Half of Life Day Long Retreat, Sebastopol Community Cultural Center, Sebastopol, California, Click here to register – IN PERSON
Sep 13: @ 1pm PT: The Language of the Soul. An intimate afternoon conversation with Mark and Brooke Warner at Book Passage Corte Madera, California. Click here to register. - IN PERSON
Sep 15: The Language of the Soul. An intimate in-person gathering with Mark at Godmothers Bookstore near Santa Barbara. Register here for this ticketed event.
IN PERSON
Oct 11: @ 11-noon PT/2-3pm ET The Language of the Soul. A conversation with Mark Nepo and Joel Fotinos, presented by Banyen Books & Sound. Zoom link to come. ONLINE
2027
January 10, 17, 24, 2027: The Language of the Soul, The Power to Awaken, Connect, and Heal. A 3-session webinar guided by Mark Nepo. 1-2:30PM ET | 10-11:30AM PT. Click here for more information. – ONLINE
February 8-13, 2027: The Fifth Season: Creativity in the Second Half of Life, a Mastery week, The Modern Elder Academy in Baja, Mexico, Click here to sign up
IN PERSON
April 2027: Weeklong Retreat with Mark Nepo in a castle outside of Milan, Italy Click here to learn more and register – IN PERSON
Yes, thankyou Mark. We carry the values we hold dear and work to insure they survive these times and continue to flourish. And too, everything is beautiful and I am so sad.
Your poem that is part of my everyday life and one I often read to my students.
Blessings and a safe road for you