An Undivided Life: Seeking Wholeness in Ourselves, Our Work & Our World

by Parker J. Palmer

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Philosophy

4 pages, Audio CD

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Parker J. Palmer (Madison, WI) is a writer, teacher and activist whose work speaks deeply to people in many walks of life. Author of eight books--including the bestsellers Courage to Teach, Let Your Life Speak, and A Hidden Wholeness--his writing has been recognized with ten honorary doctorates and many national awards, including the 2010 William Rainey Harper Award (previously won by Margaret Mead, Paulo Freire, and Elie Wiesel). He is founder and senior partner of the Center for Courage Renewal, and holds a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley.

Reviews

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

This audiobook is a gem, I really love the subject of the spiritual inner life, false self and becoming aware of the true self. The author mentions Thomas Merton several times which is a plus.

[David Teachout · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Q/A session, Palmer's responses reflect a lifetime of deliberation upon the human condition, ranging from history to psychology to sociology and neuroscience. There are no pat answers, no quasi-wisdom based on obscure messaging. Instead there's a deep appreciation for the complexity of the human experience and a love for exploration that in some way is its own life-purpose. An undivided life is not free from anxiety or concern, it's rather free from fundamentalism, from a belief that any life can be captured by a single idea or action. It's a message that can be listened to again and again.

[Kasey Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope to re-listen to this yearly! It’s not an audiobook but instead an Q&A with Palmer on a variety of topics. Both times I’ve read it, it does something to my soul.

[Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great words on how to be there for those dying. Great connection on how be a life-giving presence for those clinically depressed, along the same lines.

Brilliant highlighting of the scientific data on the relation of feeling to learning and intellectual/academic performance. A more balanced/holistic approach to the individual and a renewed appreciation of feelings as an integral part of the whole, (counterintuitively for those who live in their heads and suppress their emotions, minimizing their role/contribution) actually leads, to greater intellectual/academic achievements and the advancement of technology and science. Great historical example of the paradigm shift, changing the social narrative on women and math!

Outstanding clarification of communal processes of reaching a community consensus. Eye-opening and impactful example from the history of the Quakers, about the appreciation and value of one person's inner voice (however questionable), which in time brought about one of the most impressive social advancements!

Great words on the importance of living a coherent, uncompromised life of inner purpose, with integrity, as the highest value, no matter what...

Encouraging to hear somebody articulating this, having made the sacrifices necessary to embody it and helping others achieve the same.

[Joshua Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed listening to Palmer reflect on his personal journey and the legacy he hopes to leave behind. This interview marks my second round of exposure to his work, but I feel like I’ve finally found a living mentor whose writing speaks to the deepest yearnings of my own heart.

[Susan Fennema · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was insightful and encourages me to search out my true self rather than trying to put on a face for other people. I found his insights about being present with people - neither invasive or evasive - powerful. This is really a 4.5 star!

[Alyssa Zimmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic interview with Palmer. Four stars instead of five only on account of how this is very much an interview and not a classic book, making some of the phrasing less concise as might otherwise be expected.

[hauntedandholierthanthou · Rating 5 out of 5]

really thought provoking, though often frustrating due to the liberal framework he's working in. but I really took a lot away from his succinct communication and hope to build on it with a more radical foundation.

[Tristan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man… Palmer just gives me so dang much to think about. I really enjoyed wrestling through this book with him and he even helped explain other books I’ve read on concepts of solitude and community and how they relate. I’m officially a Parker J Palmer fan.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this thinking this was Palmer’s book by a similar name. It was not. Thus audio book is a Q&A, a teaching session of sorts, that’s like 5 podcasts put together. At times I didn’t love it, but there was some rich teaching in here, especially when he discussed alignment between “soul” and “role”

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were several points in this audiobook that were excellent. He described things I have reflected on in a way that clarified them for me. But he is a slow and thoughtful speaker which was hard for me to listen to at times. And I think it could have been edited down a bit. I found myself thinking I would have preferred to read this book and perhaps move a little faster than the audiobook allowed. But he had some wonderful insights on leading a congruent life and what it sometimes takes to get there.

[Tracy Blanchard · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. This is an audio book from Sounds True. It is a nominal "conversation" between Tami Simon and Parker Palmer. I should have loved it. I've read a few Parker Palmer books during my spiritual guidance program. He is a wise man and he has suffered bouts of depression, as have I. But I could not connect with this audio program. I don't want to say anything that will just end up sounding mean or petty because so many find comfort and wisdom with Palmer, and I have in the past. I just could not connect or listen to more than about half of this program.

[LemontreeLime · Rating 3 out of 5]

Five hours of conversation with Mr. Palmer, discussing topics as varied as quakerism, depression, and how to do soul searching work in a secular world. I found his honesty very insightful, and I'm glad I listened to this. He also really does give the best description of what depression is like from the inside, a terribly difficult thing to try to explain to others, and he nails the experience quite well.

[Julian Summerhayes]

This is an audio programme, and is one of the best conversations I've listened to on the divided life. The only book that comes close to it is New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton. If you get a chance to buy it or listen to a sample, I highly recommend it.

[Nathan Hanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great insight on the care of the inner self. He draws on a lifetime of experience to teach out about the secrets of the soul.