Perhaps one of the greatest reasons I was drawn to become a psychotherapist is that I’m a lover of stories. Storytelling isn’t only an ancient art form and a means through which information and wisdom is shared, it can also be a powerful source of inspiration and healing.
In a speech entitled, “Politics as Spiritual Practice” Larry Robinson, former Mayor of Sebastopol California observed, “Stories tell us who we are and where we belong. They give meaning to our lives and to our suffering. In an age of fear and uncertainty, people are hungry for a story which shows us a way through the current darkness…Story has the power to bring soul back to the world.” And so from time to time, I’ve decided to share one of my favorite soul full stories with you.
Gifted poet and speaker, David Whyte, was visiting Brother David Steindl-Rast one evening after a very long and stressful day at work. Whyte had been struggling with whether or not to leave his job and pursue his calling as a poet full time and shared with brother David that he was absolutely exhausted.
I picture the two Davids in a warm and dimly lit room, wine glasses held loosely, and a book of Rilke’s poems resting on a low table between them. The poet’s broad shoulders are slightly slumped, his dark head bent and his wise and loving friend is leaning in slightly towards him as he very gently shares the following, “You know David, the antidote to exhaustion is not necessarily rest.”
Whyte tilts his head and shifts his position slightly as something not yet definable stirs quietly within him. “The antidote to exhaustion isn’t necessarily rest,” he repeats slowly. “What is the antidote to exhaustion?” Now it’s Whyte who is leaning forward, entirely receptive to the gift some part of him already knows is on its way.
“The antidote to exhaustion,” brother David responds, “is wholeheartedness.”
And while it was not me who asked the question, not my own exhaustion and depletion that called brother David’s response into being, it is my own soul that stirs in response. “The antidote to exhaustion is wholeheartedness.”
Yes.
I hope you and your readers (who live nearby the Pacific Northwest) might attend the Bainbridge Retreat with Poet David Whyte called POETRY IN THE WOODS. It happens November 2-4th on Bainbridge Island at IslandWood. http://islandwood.org/conferences/poetryinthewoods
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Have just been listening to David Whyte’s talk on midlife and the great unknown. Wonderful. I love this comment about exhaustion. Thanks for reminding me and for sharing with others.
You’re so very welcome. I appreciate Whyte’s wisdom and insights tremendously.
You’re so very welcome. I appreciate Whyte’s wisdom and insights tremendously.
You’re so very welcome. I appreciate Whyte’s wisdom and insights tremendously.
[…] David Steindl-Rast- The cure for exhaustion. http://mainecenterfortherapyandappliedpositivepsychology.com/2012/07/07/david-whyte-brother-david-steindl-rast-and-the-antidote-to-exhaustion/ […]
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what comfort from this stranger ..my heart no longer feels the danger of aloness