Parker Palmer’s book, On the Brink of Everything, has been sitting on my bookshelf for a few years. It the midst of challenging times around the world, I needed to rekindle some positive energy. No better place to start than some wisdom from Parker Palmer.

These are a few quotes that captured my attention.

The word integrity comes from a root that means “intact.” At bottom, it has to do with being “integral,” whole and undivided-which means embracing our brokenness as an integral part of life.

On the Brink of Everything, Parker Palmer, page 43

As I think about the political landscape in America, I wonder if our leaders, who are unable to collaborate with one another, embrace the meaning of the word integrity. It seems as though they are unable to embrace their brokenness, thereby, opening themselves up to a more authentic way of being. Less defensive and more collaborative.

Since suffering as well as joy comes with being human, I urge you to remember this: violence is what happens when we don’t know what to else to do with our suffering.

On the Brink of Everything, Parker Palmer, page 48

In a world with so much suffering, if we fail to hold the suffering close letting it break open our hearts, we will surely utilize violence as a way to cope with our suffering. We see this played out in the wars, mass shootings, and scathing political discourse that has become the norm.

In the visible world of nature, a great truth is concealed in plain sight. Diminishment and beauty, darkness and light, death and life are not opposites: they are held together in the paradox of the “hidden wholeness.” In a paradox, opposites do not negate each other-they cohabit and cocreate in mysterious unity at the heart of reality. Deeper still, they need each other for health, just as our well-being depends on breathing in and breathing out.

On the Brink of Everything, Parker Palmer, page 167

I interpret this to mean, in the context it was written, that individuals, communities, nations, and cultures must integrate the “dark” and “light” that resides within us. Carl Jung suggests enlightenment does not come from chasing the light or running from the darkness within, but by facing and integrating the opposites. We all harbor darkness that if unleashed will no doubt harm the other. As Parker Palmer writes, “they cohabit and cocreate in a mysterious unity.” If the opposites are not integrated, then dysfunction will rear its ugly head.

A final quote that leaves me with hope if we each do our share of inner work.

Wholeness is the goal, but wholeness does not mean perfection. It means embracing brokenness as an integral part of life.

On the Brink of Everything, Parker Palmer, page 176

References

On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity, and Getting Old, Parker Palmer, 2018, Berrett-Koehler Publishers

Image, Balancing the Brink, Link to site, Photo credit: Dylan Watts and Paxson Woelber.