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

  • By: Parker J. Palmer
  • Narrated by: Steve Carlson
  • Length: 5 hrs and 27 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (8 ratings)

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

By: Parker J. Palmer
Narrated by: Steve Carlson
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Publisher's Summary

From beloved and best-selling author Parker J. Palmer (Let Your Life Speak, The Courage to Teach, Healing the Heart of Democracy) comes a brave and beautiful book of reflections on eight decades of life and work. Reframing aging as "a passage of discovery and engagement", Palmer says, "Old is just another word for nothing left to lose, a time to take bigger risks on behalf of the common good." On the Brink of Everything is not a "guide to" or "handbook for" getting old. Instead, it's Palmer turning the prism of insight on his experience as a way of encouraging listeners to do the same with theirs. In elegant prose and lyrical poetry, he offers a set of meditations on the meanings of one's life - past, present, and future. 

“The laws of nature that dictate the sunset dictate our demise," Palmer writes. "But how we travel the arc between our own sunrise and sundown is ours to choose: will it be denial, defiance, or collaboration?" With gravity and levity, compassion and chutzpah, Palmer writes about cultivating a robust inner and outer life, a sense of meaning and purpose amid pain as well as joy, and the intergenerational relations that enhance the lives of young and old alike. Here's a book not only for elders but also for those younger folks we call "old souls". And this book sings! It includes three songs by Palmer's longtime friend and colleague, singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer, written in response to themes in the book. 

Palmer and Newcomer hope to engage listeners in an ongoing conversation about what Howard Thurman called "the growing edge" of our personal and public lives. Ultimately, Palmer sees age as a precious gift: "The fact that I've come this far makes me one of the lucky ones." Surprised by the fact that he likes being old, he writes, "Welcome to the brink of everything. It takes a lifetime to get here, but the stunning view and the wake-up breeze in your face make it worth the trip."

©2018 Parker J. Palmer (P)2018 Parker J. Palmer

What listeners say about On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity, and Getting Old

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Deep contemplation of our human journey & beyond

Not at all a continuum of earlier writing. As he states he does not relate to the person he was, having "begun anew" that many times and he is realising that he is beginning anew again with fresh perspectives; of embracing the ideas of youth and the depths of his own negative propensities with an open mind and an open heart.
Parker includes a poignant collection of poems and quotes which allude to the gist of this book... the inward path as The Way — through which we grow, and many of his own poems as he describes the essence of his travels with great depth of presence and appreciation.

I've listened three times and could go again and again.

Excellent narration appropriate to the content of DEEP contemplation.
I would recommend reading/listening last thing at night or first thing in the morning whilst the mind is not switched on fully... so to notice and be present with Parker's precense.
An excellent writer and poet who will leave a legacy of compassion and inclusiveness.
May Parker live a longer life, and injoy his new beginning at the brink of everything ✨️

Would be handy and much appreciated if he included a pdf of these Great poets — as a keepsake/ reminder to be true to and accept our Self —warts and all, and face the fact of our inevitable death as a contribution to life that will follow.

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My favourite book so far

I have listened to it many times and it’s so well written. I have several books by Parker J Palmer. And my favourite narrated Steve Carlson a great story teller .

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