Home / Authors / Mark Nepo

Mark Nepo

Mark Nepo Quotes

Poet

Mark Nepo is an American poet, writer, and speaker known for his profound spiritual insights and unique perspectives on life. His work blends poetry, philosophy, and psychology, aiming to help readers explore the meaning of life and the inner peace within.

Filter quotes by topic

All Way Heart Listening Ifs World Feels Earth Needs Broken Enough Want Water Who We Are Matter Humans Moments Practice Waiting Alive Asks

Famous Mark Nepo Quotes

“When we don't get what we want, there's a legitimate grieving, and then the spiritual journey truly begins, because not getting what we want breaks our self-reference; and once that is broken, we are aware that we are a part of a larger whole. It changes everything.”

Want Self Whole Spiritual Break Journey Broken Grieving Spiritual Journey

Author:Mark Nepo

“There are many ways that we grow, but there are two major ways: We shed what no longer works, or we're broken open. If we're unwilling to shed, then we will be broken open. Through shedding, we are worn down, just as nature is eroded to its beauty. I think that through suffering, human beings are eroded to our beauty.”

Ifs Thinking Way Humans Two Suffering Grows Human Beings Broken Majors Shed Worn Unwilling

Author:Mark Nepo

“One of the most challenging ways is to slow down enough to relax our heart and feel what is nearest. It could be the sun reflecting off of broken glass in an alley. It could be the shine on a crow. It could be snow on a lamp post.”

Way Feels Heart Enough Challenges Sun Broken Shining Glasses Snow Posts Relax Slow Down Lamps Reflecting Crow Alleys Shine On Broken Glass

Author:Mark Nepo

“Light is in both the broken bottle and the diamond.”

Light Broken Bottles Diamond Porch Dripping Bleachers

Book:The Book of Awakening: Having the Life You Want by Being Present to the Life You Have (Gift Edition)

Source: The Book of Awakening: Having the Life You Want by Being Present to the Life You Have (Gift Edition)

“The further I wake into this life, the more I realize that God is everywhere and the extraordinary is waiting quietly beneath the skin of all that is ordinary. Light is in both the broken bottle and the diamond, and music is in both the flowing violin and the water dripping from the drainage pipe. Yes, God is under the porch as well as on top of the mountain, and joy is in both the front row and the bleachers, if we are willing to be where we are.”

Source: The Book of Awakening: Having the Life You Want by Being Present to the Life You Have (Gift Edition)

“Before we can count we are taught to be grateful for what others do. As we are broken open by our experience, we begin to be grateful for what is, and if we live long enough and deep enough and authentically enough, gratitude becomes a way of life.”

Ifs Way Long Enough Taught Broken Gratitude Grateful Be Grateful

Author:Mark Nepo

“We are broken open, or we willfully shed.”

Author:Mark Nepo

“To be broken is no reason to see all things as broken.”

Reason Broken All Things No Reason

Book:The Endless Practice: Becoming Who You Were Born to Be

Source: The Endless Practice: Becoming Who You Were Born to Be

“The broken door lets in the light. The broken heart lets in the world.”

World Heart Light Doors Broken

Book:The Endless Practice: Becoming Who You Were Born to Be

Source: The Endless Practice: Becoming Who You Were Born to Be