524. Mark Nepo - a podcast by Rick Archer

Mark Nepo. Photo by Frank Berkhout

Mark has been called “one of the finest spiritual guides of our time,” “a consummate storyteller,” and “an eloquent spiritual teacher.” His work is widely accessible and used by many and his books have been translated into more than twenty languages. A bestselling author, he has published twenty-one books and recorded fourteen audio projects. In 2015, he was given a Life-Achievement Award by AgeNation. In 2016, he was named by Watkins: Mind Body Spirit as one of the 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People, and was also chosen as one of OWN’s SuperSoul 100, a group of inspired leaders using their gifts and voices to elevate humanity. Mark has a regular columnist for Spirituality&Health Magazine. Recent books include Drinking from the River of Light; More Together Than Alone: Discovering the Power and Spirit of Community in Our Lives and in the World, cited by Spirituality&Practice as one of the Best Spiritual Books of 2018; Things That Join the Sea and the Sky, a Nautilus Book Award Winner; and The Way Under the Way: The Place of True Meeting, a Nautilus Book Award Winner. If you’d like more information about Mark, his books, or events, please visit MarkNepo.com or ThreeIntentions.com.

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded November 9, 2019.Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.


Chapters:00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
00:03:51 - Being a Conduit and a Membrane00:07:10 - Believing in Everything
00:10:18 - The Diversity of Paths00:13:39 - The Story of Ganesh
00:16:58 - The Addiction to Watching Things Fall Apart00:20:31 - The Two Tribes
00:23:43 - The Paradox of Progress and Incarnation00:27:10 - The Essential Role of Music in Survival
00:30:37 - Being the Poem and Breathing in Life00:34:04 - The Evolution of Creativity
00:37:10 - The Disconnect and Epidemic of Mass Shootings00:41:05 - The Heart as a Gill
00:44:35 - Looking Inward, Finding Contentment00:47:45 - The Power of Shared Consciousness
00:51:31 - The Power of Connection and Resilience00:55:24 - The Wagon Wheel Metaphor and Community
00:58:29 - The Power of Quotes from Presidents01:01:49 - Holding the Paradox of Being Jewish
01:05:10 - Softening the Heart through Conversation01:08:19 - Feeling the Collective Consciousness
01:11:50 - Distributing the Pain and Opening Our Hearts01:14:56 - The Wisdom of Suffering
01:18:22 - The Continued Exposure of Misconduct and the Challenge of Enlightenment01:21:21 - Learning from Nature and Culture
01:24:14 - Learning by Watching the Monkey01:27:12 - God's Words on the Heart and a Compassionate Universe
01:30:21 - The Little Worm and the Golden Web01:33:26 - The Unity of Creation and Interconnection
01:36:38 - Starting the Day with Meaningful Rituals01:39:32 - Concluding Thoughts and Remarks

Further episodes of Buddha at the Gas Pump

Further podcasts by Rick Archer

Website of Rick Archer