A Conversation with Mark Nepo

We live in a turbulent time with storms everywhere, of every size and shape. And like every generation before us, we must learn the art of surviving them, so we can help each other endure.  

In his work, bestselling author and spiritual teacher Mark Nepo explores the art and practice of finding the strength to meet adversity by using the timeless teachings of the heart. Mark believes that in order to stand firm against life’s unavoidable storms, we need to know our true self, deepening our roots and solidifying our connection to all spirit and all life. Then we, like a firmly rooted tree standing unmoved in the wind, can endure the force of trials and heartbreak. 

Join Mark and CIIS Professor and Program Chair for the MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts and Writing Cindy Shearer for an empowering conversation on learning to overcome the storms of life. Sharing insights from his life’s work as well as his latest book, Surviving Storms, Mark articulates the heart’s process of renewal and connection with insight and accuracy. Mark discusses the fault lines we endure as a society, including our loss of relationship, the isolation of technology, and the loss of a common good, among others. He explores the nature and life of storms and unpacks the purpose of goodness. He seeks to reacquaint us with the perennial practices that restore our basic human nature and transcend our perceived differences. 

Though we must each map the territories of our souls for ourselves, Mark offers common paths and urges us forward on the journey. 


Mark Nepo is a poet and spiritual adviser who has taught in the fields of poetry and spirituality for over 40 years. With over a million copies sold, Mark has moved and inspired readers and seekers all over the world with his #1 New York Times bestseller The Book of Awakening. A beloved poet, teacher, and storyteller, 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 his books have been translated into more than 20 languages. A bestselling author, Mark has published twenty-two books and recorded fifteen audio projects. In September 2022, his 23rd book, Surviving Storms: Finding the Strength to Meet Adversity, will be published (St. Martin's. Essentials). Recent work includes The Book of Soul (St. Martin’s Essentials, 2020), which was honored by Spirituality & Practice as one of the Best Spiritual Books of 2020, Drinking from the River of Light (Sounds True, 2019), a Nautilus Book Award Winner; More Together Than Alone (Atria, 2018) cited by Spirituality & Practice as one of the Best Spiritual Books of 2018; and Things That Join the Sea and the Sky (Sounds True, 2017), a Nautilus Book Award Winner. Mark is a regular columnist for Spirituality & Health Magazine. 
 
In 2015 Mark 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 appeared several times with Oprah on her Super Soul Sunday program on OWN TV and he was part of Oprah's The Life You Want Tour in 2014. He has also been interviewed by Robin Roberts on Good Morning America. 
 
In his 30s Mark was diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma, a struggle which helped to form his philosophy of experiencing life fully while staying in relationship to an unknowable future. Mark devotes his writing and teaching to the journey of inner transformation and the life of relationship. He continues to offer readings, lectures, and retreats. For info on his courses, webinars, retreats and books, visit Mark’s websites like, Live Mark Nepo, Mark Nepo.com, and Three Intensions, where you can sign up for his Weekly Reflections newsletter. He is represented by William Morris Endeavor Entertainment.


A writer and text/image artist, Cindy Shearer is Professor and Program Chair for the MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts and Writing and PhD in Integral Transpersonal Psychology at CIIS. She is publisher for the inter-arts journal Mission at Tenth and the podcast series Meaning Making and Artifact. She is currently re-working her text and image work, Ten-Not-So-Tangible-Tools for Writers, as a collection of essays for writers.

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