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The Nest in the Stream: Lessons from Nature on Being with Pain
A concise and inspirational book for anyone dealing with pain by a long time palliative care doctor who is greatly inspired by Native American wisdom and the natural world. This book is a celebration of impermanence and what it means to be awake, alive, and connected to the world.
The Nest in the Stream is an encouraging and inspiring book for the times we live in. Michael Kearney, a physician whose day job is alleviating the pain and suffering of others, shows that how we live with our pain matters hugely, as it affects our quality of living and our capacity to find healing for ourselves, for others, and for our world. Drawing on engaged Buddhism, the indigenous wisdom of Native American and Celtic spirituality, and the powerful teachings he gained by observing nature, Kearney presents a new model for resilience and self-care.
Traditional models of self-care emphasize the importance of professional boundaries to protect us from stress, and time out to rest and recover. The Nest in the Stream offers a way of being with pain that is infused with mindfulness, openness, compassion, and deep nature connection that encourages us to act for the freedom and welfare of all. It will appeal to those whose everyday occupation involves dealing with pain, such as healthcare workers, environmental activists, or those working on the front lines of trauma, but it will also be of interest to everyone who longs to live in our wounded world with an open heart.
The Nest in the Stream is an encouraging and inspiring book for the times we live in. Michael Kearney, a physician whose day job is alleviating the pain and suffering of others, shows that how we live with our pain matters hugely, as it affects our quality of living and our capacity to find healing for ourselves, for others, and for our world. Drawing on engaged Buddhism, the indigenous wisdom of Native American and Celtic spirituality, and the powerful teachings he gained by observing nature, Kearney presents a new model for resilience and self-care.
Traditional models of self-care emphasize the importance of professional boundaries to protect us from stress, and time out to rest and recover. The Nest in the Stream offers a way of being with pain that is infused with mindfulness, openness, compassion, and deep nature connection that encourages us to act for the freedom and welfare of all. It will appeal to those whose everyday occupation involves dealing with pain, such as healthcare workers, environmental activists, or those working on the front lines of trauma, but it will also be of interest to everyone who longs to live in our wounded world with an open heart.
176 pages, Paperback
Published February 27, 2018
10 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 12, 2025
For me this is a must read, must own, book for anyone with an interest in living with their chronic pain or chronic illness from a spiritual perspective. How to be with it, adding this to the medical treatments, prescriptions, dietary and other lifestyle changes chronic health issues engender.
March 30, 2018
A book to be experienced in small sips rather than gulped down at speed. Kearney explains how he uses engagement with nature as a teacher on how to be with emotional and physical pain. Veers from philosophical to mystical to practical. One to return to, ideally in hardcover.
May 24, 2020
"The Nest in the Stream" is small in stature but large in content. Owing to it's small size I'd been throwing it in my purse when I thought I was going to have to stand in line somewhere. Finally I got to the point where I decided I actually had to finish to sit down and finish it.
Initially I didn't feel much of a connection to the book, but on reflection I think that had more to do with how I was reading it than to the book itself.
I think the first people who should read this are doctors. Kearney talks extensively about burnout in medicine and methods for getting over it.
This is a excellent little book covers a lot of ground. I'd recommend it for anyone who wants an introduction to the wounded healer in medicine. If you're looking for starting points on bringing nature into your life to improve your health. Or if you'd like to understand what First Nations spirituality and healing might look like.
In terms of time, "The Nest in the Stream" can easily be read in an afternoon.
Initially I didn't feel much of a connection to the book, but on reflection I think that had more to do with how I was reading it than to the book itself.
I think the first people who should read this are doctors. Kearney talks extensively about burnout in medicine and methods for getting over it.
This is a excellent little book covers a lot of ground. I'd recommend it for anyone who wants an introduction to the wounded healer in medicine. If you're looking for starting points on bringing nature into your life to improve your health. Or if you'd like to understand what First Nations spirituality and healing might look like.
In terms of time, "The Nest in the Stream" can easily be read in an afternoon.
October 26, 2020
I have read many of Michael Kearney's books. I recommend his other works. This one is less dense, more accessible and it does not disappoint. He brings together native spirituality and a grounding in his face to face encounters in human suffering at the cusp of death.
March 21, 2018
Beautiful book!
June 7, 2019
A book for the open-minded on dealing with suffering, our own, our earths, and those one cares for.
March 9, 2020
A short but dense read on healthy ways to deal with physical and emotional pain.
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July 17, 2018Kearney's desire to reach beyond the traditional confines of western palliative care is inspiring and refreshing, as is his honesty in navigating the unknowns of pain and suffering. Airs of calm and openness fill this compact but capacious and compassionate text, making it a far more joyous read than one might think.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews