What I’m Reading
The Five Invitations
I followed that one with a book some of you may have already discovered (published in 2017), “The Five Invitations” by Frank Ostaseski. Sub-titled “Discovering What Death Can Teach US About Living Fully,” this deep and engaging book is especially poignant now as many of us still struggle with the impact of social isolation and loss after months with the pandemic. Ostaseski says the book is “an invitation” – five invitations, in fact – to “sit down with death, to have a cup of tea with her, to let her guide you toward living a more meaningful and loving life.” At the suggestion of a good friend who sensed it might have a particular relevance for me, I uncharacteristically began with the fourth invitation, which invites the reader to “find a place of rest in the middle of things.” The chapter entitled “The Calm in the Storm” is especially moving and relevant, and has become the source of an intensive exploration project for me on rest and its crucial role in well-being. I’ll share a powerful passage that I have returned to numerous times in the past few days:
“Rest is found when we are present instead of letting our minds wander aimlessly through the hallways of fear, worry, and anxiousness. Rest comes when we become more by doing less, when we don’t allow the urgent to crowd out the important. It is the result of a decluttering of the mind and a decoupling from fixed views. Rest is a Sabbath, when we stop and turn to worship the possibilities of the ever-fresh moment.”
The concept of rest as Sabbath is powerful. This book is powerfully engaging – and one that I expect to explore more deeply over the upcoming weeks.
Breath
Normally with summer approaching, I would have at least a couple of good fiction books lined up – if anyone has suggestions, please send them my way – but this Spring, I seem to be much more engaged in non-fiction. From a previous blog post, you may recall my recommendation for “Community Cure.” Especially as so many are still struggling with the effects of the pandemic, it resonates in powerful ways. I highly recommend reading it if you haven’t already. But on to some new suggestions.
I just finished a wonderfully informative and entertaining book called “Breath” by journalist James Nestor, who was a finalist for the 2015 PEN/ESPN Award for Literary Sports Writing and an Amazon Best Science Book winner. In this latest book, he looks at how humans, as a species, have “lost the ability to breathe correctly, with grave consequences.” A mixture of fascinating observations and impressively thorough research, Nestor explores the impact of poor breathing on a host of physical and emotional challenges including sleep apnea, sinus irritations, poor dental health, fatigue and much, much more. Interspersed with humor and stories of his own journey to undo bad breathing practices, this book is full of thought-provoking ideas about the whys and hows of something that ties us all together – the breath. One of the most intriguing books I’ve read in a long time . . . and one that has me actively working on my own breathing techniques.
Care of the Soul
And just a quick closing note about a very old book “friend” that has been a go-to at many points in my life – Thomas Moore’s “Care of the Soul” which is rounding out my late-Spring reading. My copy is yellowing and extensively marked-up in various colors representing the different times in my life when I have returned to this rich and provocative book. And yet, I still experience something new every time I pick it up again. A great read for anyone looking to “cultivate depth and sacredness in everyday life.”
Happy (and thoughtful) reading everyone! And if you’ve read these and want to share your impressions, or want more insight about any of them, please reach out to me. I would love to converse with you about these impactful reads.
The Community Cure
“The Community Cure” by James Maskell is one of the most thought-provoking books I’ve read in months. I highly recommend it. In a prior book, Maskell pointed to five regions of the world where the population lives longer with very little chronic disease and virtually no access to modern medical systems. The Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica was just one of these “Blue Zones.” One of the big reasons for this is reliance on community. In The Community Cure, he looks at how communities (like those in these five Blue Zone areas) have solved medical challenges with amazing success – and how we can benefit from group engagement as a wellness resource.
Here are a few excerpts:
“We have an epidemic of loneliness.”
“The smartest people in healthcare are recognizing the impact that the loss of community has on our society, economy, and health.”
“Being lonely has the same impact on mortality as smoking fifteen cigarettes a day, making it even more dangerous than obesity.”
“Loneliness doesn’t have a billing code.”
And here’s one last quote, from Dr. Kelly Brogan, New York Times bestselling author and holistic psychiatrist:
“It’s time for us to reweave the fabric of our ancestry and to resolve the isolation of modular living by coming together with a shared intention to take personal responsibility for our health, but to do it together.”
A fundamental pillar of Valeo is the provision of support and engagement. If you need a wellness partner or are interested in group support for wellness, reach out!