A Hidden Wholeness

The Journey Toward an Undivided Life

By: Parker J. Palmer

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

A Hidden Wholeness is a thoughtful and heartfelt examination of sources and consequences of the alienation we feel when our inner and outer lives become divorced from each other, when external forces pressure us to depart from our soul's true yearnings.

The book lifts up the problem of the "divided life", diagnoses its sources, assesses its personal and social costs, and offers a model of community that will help people live with greater integrity and wholeness.

As he did for vocation in Let Your Life Speak and for the inner lives of teachers in The Courage to Teach, best-selling author and teacher Parker J. Palmer speaks to the heart of our yearning for integrity, authenticity, and wholeness in a fractured world.

Parker J. Palmer holds a Ph.D. from the University of California - Berkeley. He is a founder and senior partner of the Center for Courage and Renewal, senior associate of the American Association for Higher Education, and senior advisor to the Fetzer Institute. In 1998, he was named one of the 30 most influential senior leaders in higher education.

©2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Parker J. Palmer's latest book is a gift...a guide for living...compassionate, deeply insightful...heart opening and transforming." ( BookSense)
"This book is a treasure - an inspiring, useful blueprint for building safe places where people can commit to 'act in every situation in ways that honor the soul.'" ( Publishers Weekly)

Impactful

This is one of the most important books I have ever read (or listened to).

Another Wonderful Journey

This is the second audio book from Parker J. Palmer for me. My life is richer for having spent the quiet hours listening.

life hacks

love the book! read it twice. eye opening on how to be with others and yourself.

Compelled to buy the hard copy

Would you consider the audio edition of A Hidden Wholeness to be better than the print version?

They work best in tandem, I found.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Author.

What about Stefan Rudnicki’s performance did you like?

His thoughtfulness.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I reflected deeply on its ideas.

Any additional comments?

Sometimes, one reads to find a path to an answer, and when I selected this book, I was hoping for insights that would make me think past the fog of uncertainty. Slowly, this book won me over, and allowed me to explore my challenges from a new set of questions.

A precious guide to reclaiming wholeness

This book is something of a guidebook for creating reverent spaces where people's souls can come out and be heard and become reintegrated with their hosts.

I've been in a "circle of trust" of sorts (at the CTI Leadership program), and Parker unveils much of the magic that makes such a place/phenomenon possible.

A beautiful and transformative tale told with the voice of a master.

Speaking of voice, I wanted to hear Parker read this book; however, as I got into it, I grew quite fond of Stefan Rudnicki's narration. Really wonderfully on-tone with Parker's writing.

your on the path if you find this pearl

when the student is ready the teacher presents himself.
conscience objector
insight purpose
easy ✌

Important book for folks interested in sacred activism

This is a poetically written book. Palmer offers simple, but ground breaking ideas for personal change that radiate out to community wide change and beyond. Sample topics are how to illicit the inner teacher, how to invite the soul forward and what is an open and honest question that aids in these processes.

A truly effective and profound view of living a more genuine life

Parker palmers writing is clear and direct and profound in reminding me that my compass is within but that i draw the map of my trail with the outside world and those I live with
I have had my understanding of what matters most to me clarified and strengthen by the circle of trust experience

The blessing of truly listening

Extraordinary clarity on the essence of how you can be a truly supportive human being

Great insight

The book was extremely helpful in exploring the inner self and why it mostly stays hidden. The author was almost able to resist the temptation to express opinion on issues that divide while giving the tools to allow us to hold them in tension between right and wrong.