In so many stories and fables that shape us, cold and snow, the closing in of the light — these have deep psychological as much as physical reality. This is “wintering,” as the English writer Katherine May illuminates in her beautiful, meditative book of that title — at once a season of the natural world, a respite our bodies require, and a state of mind. Krista first spoke with Katherine in midwinter 2020, and their conversation continues to offer a helpful container for our pandemic time: as one vast, extended, communal experience of wintering. As 2021 draws to a close — still with so much to metabolize and to carry, with an aching need for replenishment — Katherine May opens up exactly what so many have needed to hear, but haven’t known how to name.
Katherine May is an author of fiction and memoir whose titles include Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times, The Electricity of Every Living Thing, and Burning Out. She is also the editor of an anthology of essays about motherhood, called The Best, Most Awful Job.
Find the transcript for this show at onbeing.org.
This show originally aired in January, 2021.
James Bridle — The Intelligence Singing All Around Us
[Unedited] James Bridle with Krista Tippett
Nick Offerman — Working with Wood, and the Meaning of Life
Ada Limón — “To Be Made Whole”
“The Quiet Machine” by Ada Limón
“Dead Stars” by Ada Limón
“A New National Anthem” by Ada Limón
Amanda Ripley — Stepping out of "the zombie dance" we're in, and into "good conflict" that is, in fact, life-giving
Dacher Keltner — The Thrilling New Science of Awe
Emergence: On Being Is Back!
Foundations 4: Calling and Wholeness
Foundations 3: Taking a Long View of Time, and Becoming “Critical Yeast”
Foundations 2: Living the Questions
Foundations 1: Seeing the Generative Story of Our Time
A Listening Ritual for this Fall: Poetry Unbound
A Season of Emergence with Krista
BONUS: An On Being Listening Party — Celebrating 20 Years
Ocean Vuong – A Life Worthy of Our Breath
[Unedited] Ocean Vuong with Krista Tippett
Ayana Elizabeth Johnson — What If We Get This Right?
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