The Language of the Soul

The Language of the Soul is a spiritual workshop at Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York, led by poet, philosopher and New York Times best-selling author Mark Nepo. It is a weekend of reflection on the original meanings of words, open to anyone drawn to poetry, contemplative language and the idea that what we say can heal. No background in spiritual practice or literature is needed.

Nepo's new book of the same name looks at the deep, often forgotten roots of 228 words drawn from 31 languages and traditions. The workshop carries that inquiry into a shared setting, where ancient expressions are reawakened and everyday language is given depth and resonance. Words are treated as vessels of meaning and as medicine for the soul, able to carry us back to ourselves and forward into the world with more compassion, clarity and grace.

What to Expect

The weekend begins on Friday evening with an opening session from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., after check-in earlier in the day. Saturday has two workshop sessions, 9:00 a.m. to noon and 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. On Sunday the group meets once more from 9:00 a.m. to noon, and check-out is at 1:00 p.m.

Saturday night, from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m., Mark Nepo is joined by Omega cofounder Elizabeth Lesser for a conversation about Our Time on Earth, a new volume gathering 50 years of his poetry, new and selected. Nepo describes making it as "an exciting and humbling process, in which I've rediscovered and affirmed that the real poem is the unfolding story of our lives."

The schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the faculty.

About Mark Nepo

Mark Nepo is a poet, philosopher and New York Times best-selling author. Parker J. Palmer has called him "one of the finest spiritual guides of our time," and Elizabeth Lesser places him in the tradition of truth-seeking, wild-hearted poets such as Rumi, Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson and Mary Oliver. His new book, The Language of the Soul, is the basis of this workshop.

About Elizabeth Lesser

Elizabeth Lesser is a spiritual teacher and cofounder of Omega Institute. She is the author of Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow, and she joins Mark Nepo for the Saturday evening conversation.

The Setting

The workshop takes place on the Omega Institute campus in Rhinebeck, in New York's Hudson Valley. Guests can stay on campus and book their lodging separately, with choices ranging from cabin rooms with a queen bed, air-conditioning and linens to dorm singles, tent cabins and camping. Accommodation includes all meals, use of campus facilities, optional classes, recreation, walking trails and parking. Tent cabins have no heat or air-conditioning, and campers bring their own tent and gear; stoves, campfires and recreational vehicles are not allowed on campus. Those who live nearby or prefer to stay elsewhere can register as commuters, which also includes meals and use of the facilities.

Before You Go

The workshop is open to all levels and is taught in English. Tuition covers the workshop sessions and time with the faculty, while lodging is a separate booking. Bring a journal. If you are staying in a dorm or tent cabin, check what bedding is provided: dorm guests bring their own sheets and towels, and tent cabin guests bring sheets or a sleeping bag and towels, or rent them from Omega for a small fee.