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When You're Falling, Dive with Mark Matousek
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WHEN YOU’RE FALLING, DIVE with MARK MATOUSEK
“There seems to be an inexplicable link to facing our own impermanence and awakening spiritually… Who are we? Where do we come from? Where are we going? What’s the purpose of all this? Until we are shaken out of the status quo, we don’t ordinarily ask those questions voluntarily. I like to say that most people are dragged kicking and screaming onto the spiritual path. And I really think that that’s true.“ [7:14] – author Mark Matousek
“Gratitude is the antidote to self-pity. You can’t feel both at the same time.” [15:41] – author Mark Matousek
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EPISODE SUMMARY:
Do you journal?
Today we talk with Mark Matousek, a bestselling author, teacher, and speaker whose work focuses on personal awakening and creative excellence through transformational writing and self-inquiry.
Mark is the award-winning author of seven books, including “Sex Death Enlightenment: A True Story”. His articles have appeared in The New Yorker and O: The Oprah Magazine. His book, “When You’re Falling, Dive: Lessons in the Art of Living” was just re-released.
Listen in to hear how Mark integrates being in the world, being in relationships, and making a living, without compromising his values and what matters to him most.
Topics We Discuss:
- [0:20] Amy introduces Mark Matousek.
- [3:40] Mark describes how he was a spiritual seeker starting in childhood. How unanswered questions and unaddressed suffering, followed by a 5-years-to-live diagnosis accelerated his spiritual growth.
- [6:44] Mark feels that spiritual unfolding is linked to existential crisis.
- [8:28] Mark discusses spiritual bypassing – running from vs. running into whatever ongoing crisis you are experiencing. Seeking spirituality outside of yourself vs. finding answers within.
- [10:18] Mark integrated his profoundly spiritual experiences. Contrary to his earlier belief that spiritual awakening meant not feeling pain, he learned that the more he evolved, the more deeply he felt both joy and pain.
- [14:33] The most common story people tell themselves to keep them spiritually stuck is the victim story: that life is happening TO them.
- [16:07] Gratitude is the antidote to self-pity. But what if someone is NOT glad to be here, to be alive?