April 7, 2025
On the learning and friendship between Denise Arokas and Henri Matisse by Mark Nepo
On the learning and friendship between Denise Arokas and Henri Matisse
“Learning requires a sustained openness of mind and heart. Openness on the part of
Matisse to welcome the entire humanity of the young nurse caring for him. He could
see her capacities as a person beyond her given role. Likewise, Denise Arokas, at a
very young age didn’t hide or withhold the fullness of her humanity. She was curious
about the old man in the wheelchair as a human being and an artist, and quickly
showed interest in helping Matisse with his creative work, and in learning how to draw.
Through their openness, they shared from beneath their outwardly assigned roles in
life, which led to a deep openness between them…revealing an inherent sequence of
learning that is always near at hand: meeting life, leaning in, opening yourself, and
waiting to receive the wholeness of what’s before you. Then, sharing what you find.”
On the learning and friendship between Denise Arokas and Henri Matisse by Mark Nepo
Invitation: “… to receive the wholeness…”
More about Mark Nepo and his work:
Seven Thousand Ways To Listen - Staying Close to What is Sacred
We will meet for the Community Table Monday, April 7th at 8:00 PM ET. Contact us for information HERE.
We will continue our daily Shared Solitude: Embracing the gift of silence in community offered by our Courageous friend Emily - Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:30 am ET and Tuesday, Thursday at 3:00 pm ET through April 18th. See details on our Calendar HERE
Learn More About Circles of Courageous Commons HERE
After spending the weekend with two of our four grandchildren, I can feel the reciprocity of gifts and learning across the ages. And as we sat in retreat yesterday - with a span of ages, I felt the lifegiving hope of youth.
“Learning requires a sustained openness of mind and heart. Openness on the part of Matisse to welcome the entire humanity of the young nurse caring for him," as Mark Nepo writes about learning and this friendship between the artist and his nurse. This example invites me to consider the question -- who can I learn from? Particularly in this time of political, cultural and economic chaos, can I learn from those who hold different views? Do I have conscious or unconscious self-imposed limitations upon those I can learn from? If I am honest with myself, the answer is yes. Now, what might I do with this recognition?