On Our Bookshelf: Innovators and Innovation

Darnell Lamont Walker leading Rituals Writing Workshop

Striving to heal, to expand, to reach our potential — these are ongoing processes that resonate differently for each of us. For some, meaning is found in creation, whether building a new industry or crafting works of art. Others push themselves to pioneering achievement, conquering fears and limitations. For innovators, genius envisions glorious, transformative pathways to disrupt what no longer serves well. It clears out the old to make room for better, smarter, and new. Whatever your goals, guidance can often be found from the greats. Look upon their works, but do not despair! Instead, be inspired to grow mighty.


The Creative Act: A Way of Being

By Rick Rubin

Those searching for a proven muse should seek this thoughtful compilation by popular music’s most legendary producer. Anyone even casually aware of the industry knows Rick Rubin, the hit-maker whose production discography includes, well, basically everyone great: Run DMC, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, Tom Petty, JayZ, Adele, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Cash, Slayer, Neil Young, and on and on. Though he helped lay down the soundtrack for history’s last few decades, there’s no room for name-dropping in this skillfully constructed arrangement. Instead, the founder of Def Jam records helps transition anyone with artistic aspirations — superstars and the rest of us — into a creative and playful headspace: “You exist as a creative being in a creative universe. A singular work of art.” It’s the type of profound wisdom that will benefit your entire life along with your art. 

Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

By Jill Heinerth

This thrill ride-slash-memoir engulfs readers in adrenaline and otherworldly submerged chambers few will ever visit. One of the world’s greatest living explorers, Heinerth mapped the longest cave system in the world and became the first person ever to dive inside the caves of an iceberg while leading the 2001 National Geographic expedition to Antarctica. Her very terrifying profession — responsible for more deaths than climbs of Mount Everest — has taught her to “accept and welcome fear.” Case in point: There is even an entire chapter titled “My Dead Friends,” which includes her body recovery dives. There are also a few parts about her former marriage to a fellow diver, complete with an angry marital spat 300 feet below. Primarily, however, it’s the story of a woman testing her courage and endurance to pioneer the few unexplored spaces remaining. As director James Cameron said, “More people have walked on the moon than have been to some of the places Jill Heinerth has gone right here on earth.” 

Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman

By Yvon Chouinard

This enchanting 2005 autobiography by the founder of Patagonia Inc, the powerhouse athletic gear corporation, is due for one hell of an epilogue with its next updated edition. In September 2022, it was announced that this author irrevocably transferred ownership of his $3 billion dollar privately-owned company to the newly established entity known as the Patagonia Purpose Trust, ensuring some $100 million dollars a year worth of profits will be used to combat climate change and protect underdeveloped land. This extraordinary act underscores all the authenticity, decency, and forward-thinking advice found in these pages, e.g., Prioritize values over profits. In Let My People Go, Chouinard wrote that he created Patagonia to be “a model other businesses could look to in their own searches for environmental stewardship…” If even some of the wealthy and powerful follow his example, we just might save this planet. Read immediately to become the kind of innovator we need the most. 

The Innovator's DNA: Mastering the Five Skills of Disruptive Innovators

By Jeff Dyer, Hal Gregersen, and Clayton M. Christensen

How do the truly original thinkers differ from run-of-the-mill execs and derivative “idea guys”? What sets apart the Jobses, Omidyars, and A.G. Lafleys? And how do you identify — and gain — that specific form of creative intelligence? For the third installment of Christensen’s Innovator’s series (preceded by The Innovator's Dilemma and The Innovator's Solution), the authors analyzed titans of industry for six years, studying the habits of 25 entrepreneurs and surveying thousands to pinpoint the five most important “discovery skills”: associating, questioning, observing, experimenting, and networking. With all the meticulous research findings, numerous examples, and tools for assessment, this is your how-to guide to developing skills for disruptive innovation and moving “progressively from idea to impact.”

Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person

By Shonda Rhimes

This ubiquitous TV storyteller’s memoir comes with a transformative life lesson. After her army of strong female protagonists — including Addison Montgomery (Private Practice), Olivia Pope (Scandal), Annalise Keating (How To Get Away With Murder), and Dr. Meredith Grey — completely dominated Thursday nights, Shonda Rhimes decided to push herself even further with a simple-yet-grand experiment: “For one year, I would say ‘yes’ to all the things that scared me.” Suddenly, her social anxiety was vanquished by this simple one-word magic spell. Rhyme’s writing style here is familiar in the best way, echoing the assured, fluid powerhouse monologues America has been enjoying most Thursday nights since the premiere of Grey’s Anatomy in 2005. Sadly, even giants occasionally stumble; creating and producing an unheard of amount of TV led to inevitable burnout. No passion left. “So what do you do when the thing you do, the work you love, starts to taste like dust?” she asks. Innovators who have lost their enthusiasm need to read Rhimes’ advice about reclaiming that ineffable spark — or, as she calls it, “the hum.”

“Remembering to be as self compassionate as I can and praying to the divine that we're all a part of.” 
–Aaron

“Prayer, reading, meditation, walking.”
–Karen
“Erratically — which is an ongoing stream of practice to find peace.”
–Charles
“Try on a daily basis to be kind to myself and to realize that making mistakes is a part of the human condition. Learning from our mistakes is a journey. But it starts with compassion and caring. First for oneself.”
–Steve

“Physically: aerobic exercise, volleyball, ice hockey, cycling, sailing. Emotionally: unfortunately I have to work to ‘not care’ about people or situations which may end painfully. Along the lines of ‘attachment is the source of suffering’, so best to avoid it or limit its scope. Sad though because it could also be the source of great joy. Is it worth the risk?“
–Rainer

“It's time for my heart to be nurtured on one level yet contained on another. To go easy on me and to allow my feelings to be validated, not judged harshly. On the other hand, to let the heart rule with equanimity and not lead the mind and body around like a master.”
–Suzanne

“I spend time thinking of everything I am grateful for, and I try to develop my ability to express compassion for myself and others without reservation. I take time to do the things I need to do to keep myself healthy and happy. This includes taking experiential workshops, fostering relationships, and participating within groups which have a similar interest to become a more compassionate and fulfilled being.“
–Peter

“Self-forgiveness for my own judgments. And oh yeah, coming to Esalen.”
–David B.

“Hmm, this is a tough one! I guess I take care of my heart through fostering relationships with people I feel connected to. Spending quality time with them (whether we're on the phone, through messages/letters, on Zoom, or in-person). Being there for them, listening to them, sharing what's going on with me, my struggles and my successes... like we do in the Esalen weekly Friends of Esalen Zoom sessions!”
–Lori

“I remind myself in many ways of the fact that " Love is all there is!" LOVE is the prize and this one precious life is the stage we get to learn our lessons. I get out into nature, hike, camp, river kayak, fly fish, garden, I create, I dance (not enough!), and I remain grateful for each day, each breath, each moment. Being in the moment, awake, and remembering the gift of life and my feeling of gratitude for all of creation.”
–Steven
“My physical heart by limiting stress and eating a heart-healthy diet. My emotional heart by staying in love with the world and by knowing that all disappointment and loss will pass.“
–David Z.


Today, September 29, is World Heart Day. Strike up a conversation with your own heart and as you feel comfortable, encourage others to do the same. As part of our own transformations and self-care, we sometimes ask for others to illuminate and enliven our hearts or speak our love language.

What if we could do this for ourselves too, even if just for today… or to start a heart practice, forever?

About

Steven Gutierrez

Steven Gutierrez is an editor, writer, and ghostwriter. He has worked in book publishing and at several major (and some minor) magazines.

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Darnell Lamont Walker leading Rituals Writing Workshop
On Our Bookshelf: Innovators and Innovation

Striving to heal, to expand, to reach our potential — these are ongoing processes that resonate differently for each of us. For some, meaning is found in creation, whether building a new industry or crafting works of art. Others push themselves to pioneering achievement, conquering fears and limitations. For innovators, genius envisions glorious, transformative pathways to disrupt what no longer serves well. It clears out the old to make room for better, smarter, and new. Whatever your goals, guidance can often be found from the greats. Look upon their works, but do not despair! Instead, be inspired to grow mighty.


The Creative Act: A Way of Being

By Rick Rubin

Those searching for a proven muse should seek this thoughtful compilation by popular music’s most legendary producer. Anyone even casually aware of the industry knows Rick Rubin, the hit-maker whose production discography includes, well, basically everyone great: Run DMC, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, Tom Petty, JayZ, Adele, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Cash, Slayer, Neil Young, and on and on. Though he helped lay down the soundtrack for history’s last few decades, there’s no room for name-dropping in this skillfully constructed arrangement. Instead, the founder of Def Jam records helps transition anyone with artistic aspirations — superstars and the rest of us — into a creative and playful headspace: “You exist as a creative being in a creative universe. A singular work of art.” It’s the type of profound wisdom that will benefit your entire life along with your art. 

Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

By Jill Heinerth

This thrill ride-slash-memoir engulfs readers in adrenaline and otherworldly submerged chambers few will ever visit. One of the world’s greatest living explorers, Heinerth mapped the longest cave system in the world and became the first person ever to dive inside the caves of an iceberg while leading the 2001 National Geographic expedition to Antarctica. Her very terrifying profession — responsible for more deaths than climbs of Mount Everest — has taught her to “accept and welcome fear.” Case in point: There is even an entire chapter titled “My Dead Friends,” which includes her body recovery dives. There are also a few parts about her former marriage to a fellow diver, complete with an angry marital spat 300 feet below. Primarily, however, it’s the story of a woman testing her courage and endurance to pioneer the few unexplored spaces remaining. As director James Cameron said, “More people have walked on the moon than have been to some of the places Jill Heinerth has gone right here on earth.” 

Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman

By Yvon Chouinard

This enchanting 2005 autobiography by the founder of Patagonia Inc, the powerhouse athletic gear corporation, is due for one hell of an epilogue with its next updated edition. In September 2022, it was announced that this author irrevocably transferred ownership of his $3 billion dollar privately-owned company to the newly established entity known as the Patagonia Purpose Trust, ensuring some $100 million dollars a year worth of profits will be used to combat climate change and protect underdeveloped land. This extraordinary act underscores all the authenticity, decency, and forward-thinking advice found in these pages, e.g., Prioritize values over profits. In Let My People Go, Chouinard wrote that he created Patagonia to be “a model other businesses could look to in their own searches for environmental stewardship…” If even some of the wealthy and powerful follow his example, we just might save this planet. Read immediately to become the kind of innovator we need the most. 

The Innovator's DNA: Mastering the Five Skills of Disruptive Innovators

By Jeff Dyer, Hal Gregersen, and Clayton M. Christensen

How do the truly original thinkers differ from run-of-the-mill execs and derivative “idea guys”? What sets apart the Jobses, Omidyars, and A.G. Lafleys? And how do you identify — and gain — that specific form of creative intelligence? For the third installment of Christensen’s Innovator’s series (preceded by The Innovator's Dilemma and The Innovator's Solution), the authors analyzed titans of industry for six years, studying the habits of 25 entrepreneurs and surveying thousands to pinpoint the five most important “discovery skills”: associating, questioning, observing, experimenting, and networking. With all the meticulous research findings, numerous examples, and tools for assessment, this is your how-to guide to developing skills for disruptive innovation and moving “progressively from idea to impact.”

Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person

By Shonda Rhimes

This ubiquitous TV storyteller’s memoir comes with a transformative life lesson. After her army of strong female protagonists — including Addison Montgomery (Private Practice), Olivia Pope (Scandal), Annalise Keating (How To Get Away With Murder), and Dr. Meredith Grey — completely dominated Thursday nights, Shonda Rhimes decided to push herself even further with a simple-yet-grand experiment: “For one year, I would say ‘yes’ to all the things that scared me.” Suddenly, her social anxiety was vanquished by this simple one-word magic spell. Rhyme’s writing style here is familiar in the best way, echoing the assured, fluid powerhouse monologues America has been enjoying most Thursday nights since the premiere of Grey’s Anatomy in 2005. Sadly, even giants occasionally stumble; creating and producing an unheard of amount of TV led to inevitable burnout. No passion left. “So what do you do when the thing you do, the work you love, starts to taste like dust?” she asks. Innovators who have lost their enthusiasm need to read Rhimes’ advice about reclaiming that ineffable spark — or, as she calls it, “the hum.”

“Remembering to be as self compassionate as I can and praying to the divine that we're all a part of.” 
–Aaron

“Prayer, reading, meditation, walking.”
–Karen
“Erratically — which is an ongoing stream of practice to find peace.”
–Charles
“Try on a daily basis to be kind to myself and to realize that making mistakes is a part of the human condition. Learning from our mistakes is a journey. But it starts with compassion and caring. First for oneself.”
–Steve

“Physically: aerobic exercise, volleyball, ice hockey, cycling, sailing. Emotionally: unfortunately I have to work to ‘not care’ about people or situations which may end painfully. Along the lines of ‘attachment is the source of suffering’, so best to avoid it or limit its scope. Sad though because it could also be the source of great joy. Is it worth the risk?“
–Rainer

“It's time for my heart to be nurtured on one level yet contained on another. To go easy on me and to allow my feelings to be validated, not judged harshly. On the other hand, to let the heart rule with equanimity and not lead the mind and body around like a master.”
–Suzanne

“I spend time thinking of everything I am grateful for, and I try to develop my ability to express compassion for myself and others without reservation. I take time to do the things I need to do to keep myself healthy and happy. This includes taking experiential workshops, fostering relationships, and participating within groups which have a similar interest to become a more compassionate and fulfilled being.“
–Peter

“Self-forgiveness for my own judgments. And oh yeah, coming to Esalen.”
–David B.

“Hmm, this is a tough one! I guess I take care of my heart through fostering relationships with people I feel connected to. Spending quality time with them (whether we're on the phone, through messages/letters, on Zoom, or in-person). Being there for them, listening to them, sharing what's going on with me, my struggles and my successes... like we do in the Esalen weekly Friends of Esalen Zoom sessions!”
–Lori

“I remind myself in many ways of the fact that " Love is all there is!" LOVE is the prize and this one precious life is the stage we get to learn our lessons. I get out into nature, hike, camp, river kayak, fly fish, garden, I create, I dance (not enough!), and I remain grateful for each day, each breath, each moment. Being in the moment, awake, and remembering the gift of life and my feeling of gratitude for all of creation.”
–Steven
“My physical heart by limiting stress and eating a heart-healthy diet. My emotional heart by staying in love with the world and by knowing that all disappointment and loss will pass.“
–David Z.


Today, September 29, is World Heart Day. Strike up a conversation with your own heart and as you feel comfortable, encourage others to do the same. As part of our own transformations and self-care, we sometimes ask for others to illuminate and enliven our hearts or speak our love language.

What if we could do this for ourselves too, even if just for today… or to start a heart practice, forever?

About

Steven Gutierrez

Steven Gutierrez is an editor, writer, and ghostwriter. He has worked in book publishing and at several major (and some minor) magazines.

On Our Bookshelf: Innovators and Innovation

About

Steven Gutierrez

Steven Gutierrez is an editor, writer, and ghostwriter. He has worked in book publishing and at several major (and some minor) magazines.

< Back to all articles

Darnell Lamont Walker leading Rituals Writing Workshop

Striving to heal, to expand, to reach our potential — these are ongoing processes that resonate differently for each of us. For some, meaning is found in creation, whether building a new industry or crafting works of art. Others push themselves to pioneering achievement, conquering fears and limitations. For innovators, genius envisions glorious, transformative pathways to disrupt what no longer serves well. It clears out the old to make room for better, smarter, and new. Whatever your goals, guidance can often be found from the greats. Look upon their works, but do not despair! Instead, be inspired to grow mighty.


The Creative Act: A Way of Being

By Rick Rubin

Those searching for a proven muse should seek this thoughtful compilation by popular music’s most legendary producer. Anyone even casually aware of the industry knows Rick Rubin, the hit-maker whose production discography includes, well, basically everyone great: Run DMC, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, Tom Petty, JayZ, Adele, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Cash, Slayer, Neil Young, and on and on. Though he helped lay down the soundtrack for history’s last few decades, there’s no room for name-dropping in this skillfully constructed arrangement. Instead, the founder of Def Jam records helps transition anyone with artistic aspirations — superstars and the rest of us — into a creative and playful headspace: “You exist as a creative being in a creative universe. A singular work of art.” It’s the type of profound wisdom that will benefit your entire life along with your art. 

Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

By Jill Heinerth

This thrill ride-slash-memoir engulfs readers in adrenaline and otherworldly submerged chambers few will ever visit. One of the world’s greatest living explorers, Heinerth mapped the longest cave system in the world and became the first person ever to dive inside the caves of an iceberg while leading the 2001 National Geographic expedition to Antarctica. Her very terrifying profession — responsible for more deaths than climbs of Mount Everest — has taught her to “accept and welcome fear.” Case in point: There is even an entire chapter titled “My Dead Friends,” which includes her body recovery dives. There are also a few parts about her former marriage to a fellow diver, complete with an angry marital spat 300 feet below. Primarily, however, it’s the story of a woman testing her courage and endurance to pioneer the few unexplored spaces remaining. As director James Cameron said, “More people have walked on the moon than have been to some of the places Jill Heinerth has gone right here on earth.” 

Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman

By Yvon Chouinard

This enchanting 2005 autobiography by the founder of Patagonia Inc, the powerhouse athletic gear corporation, is due for one hell of an epilogue with its next updated edition. In September 2022, it was announced that this author irrevocably transferred ownership of his $3 billion dollar privately-owned company to the newly established entity known as the Patagonia Purpose Trust, ensuring some $100 million dollars a year worth of profits will be used to combat climate change and protect underdeveloped land. This extraordinary act underscores all the authenticity, decency, and forward-thinking advice found in these pages, e.g., Prioritize values over profits. In Let My People Go, Chouinard wrote that he created Patagonia to be “a model other businesses could look to in their own searches for environmental stewardship…” If even some of the wealthy and powerful follow his example, we just might save this planet. Read immediately to become the kind of innovator we need the most. 

The Innovator's DNA: Mastering the Five Skills of Disruptive Innovators

By Jeff Dyer, Hal Gregersen, and Clayton M. Christensen

How do the truly original thinkers differ from run-of-the-mill execs and derivative “idea guys”? What sets apart the Jobses, Omidyars, and A.G. Lafleys? And how do you identify — and gain — that specific form of creative intelligence? For the third installment of Christensen’s Innovator’s series (preceded by The Innovator's Dilemma and The Innovator's Solution), the authors analyzed titans of industry for six years, studying the habits of 25 entrepreneurs and surveying thousands to pinpoint the five most important “discovery skills”: associating, questioning, observing, experimenting, and networking. With all the meticulous research findings, numerous examples, and tools for assessment, this is your how-to guide to developing skills for disruptive innovation and moving “progressively from idea to impact.”

Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person

By Shonda Rhimes

This ubiquitous TV storyteller’s memoir comes with a transformative life lesson. After her army of strong female protagonists — including Addison Montgomery (Private Practice), Olivia Pope (Scandal), Annalise Keating (How To Get Away With Murder), and Dr. Meredith Grey — completely dominated Thursday nights, Shonda Rhimes decided to push herself even further with a simple-yet-grand experiment: “For one year, I would say ‘yes’ to all the things that scared me.” Suddenly, her social anxiety was vanquished by this simple one-word magic spell. Rhyme’s writing style here is familiar in the best way, echoing the assured, fluid powerhouse monologues America has been enjoying most Thursday nights since the premiere of Grey’s Anatomy in 2005. Sadly, even giants occasionally stumble; creating and producing an unheard of amount of TV led to inevitable burnout. No passion left. “So what do you do when the thing you do, the work you love, starts to taste like dust?” she asks. Innovators who have lost their enthusiasm need to read Rhimes’ advice about reclaiming that ineffable spark — or, as she calls it, “the hum.”

“Remembering to be as self compassionate as I can and praying to the divine that we're all a part of.” 
–Aaron

“Prayer, reading, meditation, walking.”
–Karen
“Erratically — which is an ongoing stream of practice to find peace.”
–Charles
“Try on a daily basis to be kind to myself and to realize that making mistakes is a part of the human condition. Learning from our mistakes is a journey. But it starts with compassion and caring. First for oneself.”
–Steve

“Physically: aerobic exercise, volleyball, ice hockey, cycling, sailing. Emotionally: unfortunately I have to work to ‘not care’ about people or situations which may end painfully. Along the lines of ‘attachment is the source of suffering’, so best to avoid it or limit its scope. Sad though because it could also be the source of great joy. Is it worth the risk?“
–Rainer

“It's time for my heart to be nurtured on one level yet contained on another. To go easy on me and to allow my feelings to be validated, not judged harshly. On the other hand, to let the heart rule with equanimity and not lead the mind and body around like a master.”
–Suzanne

“I spend time thinking of everything I am grateful for, and I try to develop my ability to express compassion for myself and others without reservation. I take time to do the things I need to do to keep myself healthy and happy. This includes taking experiential workshops, fostering relationships, and participating within groups which have a similar interest to become a more compassionate and fulfilled being.“
–Peter

“Self-forgiveness for my own judgments. And oh yeah, coming to Esalen.”
–David B.

“Hmm, this is a tough one! I guess I take care of my heart through fostering relationships with people I feel connected to. Spending quality time with them (whether we're on the phone, through messages/letters, on Zoom, or in-person). Being there for them, listening to them, sharing what's going on with me, my struggles and my successes... like we do in the Esalen weekly Friends of Esalen Zoom sessions!”
–Lori

“I remind myself in many ways of the fact that " Love is all there is!" LOVE is the prize and this one precious life is the stage we get to learn our lessons. I get out into nature, hike, camp, river kayak, fly fish, garden, I create, I dance (not enough!), and I remain grateful for each day, each breath, each moment. Being in the moment, awake, and remembering the gift of life and my feeling of gratitude for all of creation.”
–Steven
“My physical heart by limiting stress and eating a heart-healthy diet. My emotional heart by staying in love with the world and by knowing that all disappointment and loss will pass.“
–David Z.


Today, September 29, is World Heart Day. Strike up a conversation with your own heart and as you feel comfortable, encourage others to do the same. As part of our own transformations and self-care, we sometimes ask for others to illuminate and enliven our hearts or speak our love language.

What if we could do this for ourselves too, even if just for today… or to start a heart practice, forever?



About

Steven Gutierrez

Steven Gutierrez is an editor, writer, and ghostwriter. He has worked in book publishing and at several major (and some minor) magazines.

< Back to all Journal posts

Darnell Lamont Walker leading Rituals Writing Workshop
On Our Bookshelf: Innovators and Innovation

Striving to heal, to expand, to reach our potential — these are ongoing processes that resonate differently for each of us. For some, meaning is found in creation, whether building a new industry or crafting works of art. Others push themselves to pioneering achievement, conquering fears and limitations. For innovators, genius envisions glorious, transformative pathways to disrupt what no longer serves well. It clears out the old to make room for better, smarter, and new. Whatever your goals, guidance can often be found from the greats. Look upon their works, but do not despair! Instead, be inspired to grow mighty.


The Creative Act: A Way of Being

By Rick Rubin

Those searching for a proven muse should seek this thoughtful compilation by popular music’s most legendary producer. Anyone even casually aware of the industry knows Rick Rubin, the hit-maker whose production discography includes, well, basically everyone great: Run DMC, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, Tom Petty, JayZ, Adele, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Cash, Slayer, Neil Young, and on and on. Though he helped lay down the soundtrack for history’s last few decades, there’s no room for name-dropping in this skillfully constructed arrangement. Instead, the founder of Def Jam records helps transition anyone with artistic aspirations — superstars and the rest of us — into a creative and playful headspace: “You exist as a creative being in a creative universe. A singular work of art.” It’s the type of profound wisdom that will benefit your entire life along with your art. 

Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

By Jill Heinerth

This thrill ride-slash-memoir engulfs readers in adrenaline and otherworldly submerged chambers few will ever visit. One of the world’s greatest living explorers, Heinerth mapped the longest cave system in the world and became the first person ever to dive inside the caves of an iceberg while leading the 2001 National Geographic expedition to Antarctica. Her very terrifying profession — responsible for more deaths than climbs of Mount Everest — has taught her to “accept and welcome fear.” Case in point: There is even an entire chapter titled “My Dead Friends,” which includes her body recovery dives. There are also a few parts about her former marriage to a fellow diver, complete with an angry marital spat 300 feet below. Primarily, however, it’s the story of a woman testing her courage and endurance to pioneer the few unexplored spaces remaining. As director James Cameron said, “More people have walked on the moon than have been to some of the places Jill Heinerth has gone right here on earth.” 

Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman

By Yvon Chouinard

This enchanting 2005 autobiography by the founder of Patagonia Inc, the powerhouse athletic gear corporation, is due for one hell of an epilogue with its next updated edition. In September 2022, it was announced that this author irrevocably transferred ownership of his $3 billion dollar privately-owned company to the newly established entity known as the Patagonia Purpose Trust, ensuring some $100 million dollars a year worth of profits will be used to combat climate change and protect underdeveloped land. This extraordinary act underscores all the authenticity, decency, and forward-thinking advice found in these pages, e.g., Prioritize values over profits. In Let My People Go, Chouinard wrote that he created Patagonia to be “a model other businesses could look to in their own searches for environmental stewardship…” If even some of the wealthy and powerful follow his example, we just might save this planet. Read immediately to become the kind of innovator we need the most. 

The Innovator's DNA: Mastering the Five Skills of Disruptive Innovators

By Jeff Dyer, Hal Gregersen, and Clayton M. Christensen

How do the truly original thinkers differ from run-of-the-mill execs and derivative “idea guys”? What sets apart the Jobses, Omidyars, and A.G. Lafleys? And how do you identify — and gain — that specific form of creative intelligence? For the third installment of Christensen’s Innovator’s series (preceded by The Innovator's Dilemma and The Innovator's Solution), the authors analyzed titans of industry for six years, studying the habits of 25 entrepreneurs and surveying thousands to pinpoint the five most important “discovery skills”: associating, questioning, observing, experimenting, and networking. With all the meticulous research findings, numerous examples, and tools for assessment, this is your how-to guide to developing skills for disruptive innovation and moving “progressively from idea to impact.”

Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person

By Shonda Rhimes

This ubiquitous TV storyteller’s memoir comes with a transformative life lesson. After her army of strong female protagonists — including Addison Montgomery (Private Practice), Olivia Pope (Scandal), Annalise Keating (How To Get Away With Murder), and Dr. Meredith Grey — completely dominated Thursday nights, Shonda Rhimes decided to push herself even further with a simple-yet-grand experiment: “For one year, I would say ‘yes’ to all the things that scared me.” Suddenly, her social anxiety was vanquished by this simple one-word magic spell. Rhyme’s writing style here is familiar in the best way, echoing the assured, fluid powerhouse monologues America has been enjoying most Thursday nights since the premiere of Grey’s Anatomy in 2005. Sadly, even giants occasionally stumble; creating and producing an unheard of amount of TV led to inevitable burnout. No passion left. “So what do you do when the thing you do, the work you love, starts to taste like dust?” she asks. Innovators who have lost their enthusiasm need to read Rhimes’ advice about reclaiming that ineffable spark — or, as she calls it, “the hum.”

“Remembering to be as self compassionate as I can and praying to the divine that we're all a part of.” 
–Aaron

“Prayer, reading, meditation, walking.”
–Karen
“Erratically — which is an ongoing stream of practice to find peace.”
–Charles
“Try on a daily basis to be kind to myself and to realize that making mistakes is a part of the human condition. Learning from our mistakes is a journey. But it starts with compassion and caring. First for oneself.”
–Steve

“Physically: aerobic exercise, volleyball, ice hockey, cycling, sailing. Emotionally: unfortunately I have to work to ‘not care’ about people or situations which may end painfully. Along the lines of ‘attachment is the source of suffering’, so best to avoid it or limit its scope. Sad though because it could also be the source of great joy. Is it worth the risk?“
–Rainer

“It's time for my heart to be nurtured on one level yet contained on another. To go easy on me and to allow my feelings to be validated, not judged harshly. On the other hand, to let the heart rule with equanimity and not lead the mind and body around like a master.”
–Suzanne

“I spend time thinking of everything I am grateful for, and I try to develop my ability to express compassion for myself and others without reservation. I take time to do the things I need to do to keep myself healthy and happy. This includes taking experiential workshops, fostering relationships, and participating within groups which have a similar interest to become a more compassionate and fulfilled being.“
–Peter

“Self-forgiveness for my own judgments. And oh yeah, coming to Esalen.”
–David B.

“Hmm, this is a tough one! I guess I take care of my heart through fostering relationships with people I feel connected to. Spending quality time with them (whether we're on the phone, through messages/letters, on Zoom, or in-person). Being there for them, listening to them, sharing what's going on with me, my struggles and my successes... like we do in the Esalen weekly Friends of Esalen Zoom sessions!”
–Lori

“I remind myself in many ways of the fact that " Love is all there is!" LOVE is the prize and this one precious life is the stage we get to learn our lessons. I get out into nature, hike, camp, river kayak, fly fish, garden, I create, I dance (not enough!), and I remain grateful for each day, each breath, each moment. Being in the moment, awake, and remembering the gift of life and my feeling of gratitude for all of creation.”
–Steven
“My physical heart by limiting stress and eating a heart-healthy diet. My emotional heart by staying in love with the world and by knowing that all disappointment and loss will pass.“
–David Z.


Today, September 29, is World Heart Day. Strike up a conversation with your own heart and as you feel comfortable, encourage others to do the same. As part of our own transformations and self-care, we sometimes ask for others to illuminate and enliven our hearts or speak our love language.

What if we could do this for ourselves too, even if just for today… or to start a heart practice, forever?



About

Steven Gutierrez

Steven Gutierrez is an editor, writer, and ghostwriter. He has worked in book publishing and at several major (and some minor) magazines.

On Our Bookshelf: Innovators and Innovation

About

Steven Gutierrez

Steven Gutierrez is an editor, writer, and ghostwriter. He has worked in book publishing and at several major (and some minor) magazines.

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Darnell Lamont Walker leading Rituals Writing Workshop

Striving to heal, to expand, to reach our potential — these are ongoing processes that resonate differently for each of us. For some, meaning is found in creation, whether building a new industry or crafting works of art. Others push themselves to pioneering achievement, conquering fears and limitations. For innovators, genius envisions glorious, transformative pathways to disrupt what no longer serves well. It clears out the old to make room for better, smarter, and new. Whatever your goals, guidance can often be found from the greats. Look upon their works, but do not despair! Instead, be inspired to grow mighty.


The Creative Act: A Way of Being

By Rick Rubin

Those searching for a proven muse should seek this thoughtful compilation by popular music’s most legendary producer. Anyone even casually aware of the industry knows Rick Rubin, the hit-maker whose production discography includes, well, basically everyone great: Run DMC, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, Tom Petty, JayZ, Adele, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Cash, Slayer, Neil Young, and on and on. Though he helped lay down the soundtrack for history’s last few decades, there’s no room for name-dropping in this skillfully constructed arrangement. Instead, the founder of Def Jam records helps transition anyone with artistic aspirations — superstars and the rest of us — into a creative and playful headspace: “You exist as a creative being in a creative universe. A singular work of art.” It’s the type of profound wisdom that will benefit your entire life along with your art. 

Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

By Jill Heinerth

This thrill ride-slash-memoir engulfs readers in adrenaline and otherworldly submerged chambers few will ever visit. One of the world’s greatest living explorers, Heinerth mapped the longest cave system in the world and became the first person ever to dive inside the caves of an iceberg while leading the 2001 National Geographic expedition to Antarctica. Her very terrifying profession — responsible for more deaths than climbs of Mount Everest — has taught her to “accept and welcome fear.” Case in point: There is even an entire chapter titled “My Dead Friends,” which includes her body recovery dives. There are also a few parts about her former marriage to a fellow diver, complete with an angry marital spat 300 feet below. Primarily, however, it’s the story of a woman testing her courage and endurance to pioneer the few unexplored spaces remaining. As director James Cameron said, “More people have walked on the moon than have been to some of the places Jill Heinerth has gone right here on earth.” 

Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman

By Yvon Chouinard

This enchanting 2005 autobiography by the founder of Patagonia Inc, the powerhouse athletic gear corporation, is due for one hell of an epilogue with its next updated edition. In September 2022, it was announced that this author irrevocably transferred ownership of his $3 billion dollar privately-owned company to the newly established entity known as the Patagonia Purpose Trust, ensuring some $100 million dollars a year worth of profits will be used to combat climate change and protect underdeveloped land. This extraordinary act underscores all the authenticity, decency, and forward-thinking advice found in these pages, e.g., Prioritize values over profits. In Let My People Go, Chouinard wrote that he created Patagonia to be “a model other businesses could look to in their own searches for environmental stewardship…” If even some of the wealthy and powerful follow his example, we just might save this planet. Read immediately to become the kind of innovator we need the most. 

The Innovator's DNA: Mastering the Five Skills of Disruptive Innovators

By Jeff Dyer, Hal Gregersen, and Clayton M. Christensen

How do the truly original thinkers differ from run-of-the-mill execs and derivative “idea guys”? What sets apart the Jobses, Omidyars, and A.G. Lafleys? And how do you identify — and gain — that specific form of creative intelligence? For the third installment of Christensen’s Innovator’s series (preceded by The Innovator's Dilemma and The Innovator's Solution), the authors analyzed titans of industry for six years, studying the habits of 25 entrepreneurs and surveying thousands to pinpoint the five most important “discovery skills”: associating, questioning, observing, experimenting, and networking. With all the meticulous research findings, numerous examples, and tools for assessment, this is your how-to guide to developing skills for disruptive innovation and moving “progressively from idea to impact.”

Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person

By Shonda Rhimes

This ubiquitous TV storyteller’s memoir comes with a transformative life lesson. After her army of strong female protagonists — including Addison Montgomery (Private Practice), Olivia Pope (Scandal), Annalise Keating (How To Get Away With Murder), and Dr. Meredith Grey — completely dominated Thursday nights, Shonda Rhimes decided to push herself even further with a simple-yet-grand experiment: “For one year, I would say ‘yes’ to all the things that scared me.” Suddenly, her social anxiety was vanquished by this simple one-word magic spell. Rhyme’s writing style here is familiar in the best way, echoing the assured, fluid powerhouse monologues America has been enjoying most Thursday nights since the premiere of Grey’s Anatomy in 2005. Sadly, even giants occasionally stumble; creating and producing an unheard of amount of TV led to inevitable burnout. No passion left. “So what do you do when the thing you do, the work you love, starts to taste like dust?” she asks. Innovators who have lost their enthusiasm need to read Rhimes’ advice about reclaiming that ineffable spark — or, as she calls it, “the hum.”

“Remembering to be as self compassionate as I can and praying to the divine that we're all a part of.” 
–Aaron

“Prayer, reading, meditation, walking.”
–Karen
“Erratically — which is an ongoing stream of practice to find peace.”
–Charles
“Try on a daily basis to be kind to myself and to realize that making mistakes is a part of the human condition. Learning from our mistakes is a journey. But it starts with compassion and caring. First for oneself.”
–Steve

“Physically: aerobic exercise, volleyball, ice hockey, cycling, sailing. Emotionally: unfortunately I have to work to ‘not care’ about people or situations which may end painfully. Along the lines of ‘attachment is the source of suffering’, so best to avoid it or limit its scope. Sad though because it could also be the source of great joy. Is it worth the risk?“
–Rainer

“It's time for my heart to be nurtured on one level yet contained on another. To go easy on me and to allow my feelings to be validated, not judged harshly. On the other hand, to let the heart rule with equanimity and not lead the mind and body around like a master.”
–Suzanne

“I spend time thinking of everything I am grateful for, and I try to develop my ability to express compassion for myself and others without reservation. I take time to do the things I need to do to keep myself healthy and happy. This includes taking experiential workshops, fostering relationships, and participating within groups which have a similar interest to become a more compassionate and fulfilled being.“
–Peter

“Self-forgiveness for my own judgments. And oh yeah, coming to Esalen.”
–David B.

“Hmm, this is a tough one! I guess I take care of my heart through fostering relationships with people I feel connected to. Spending quality time with them (whether we're on the phone, through messages/letters, on Zoom, or in-person). Being there for them, listening to them, sharing what's going on with me, my struggles and my successes... like we do in the Esalen weekly Friends of Esalen Zoom sessions!”
–Lori

“I remind myself in many ways of the fact that " Love is all there is!" LOVE is the prize and this one precious life is the stage we get to learn our lessons. I get out into nature, hike, camp, river kayak, fly fish, garden, I create, I dance (not enough!), and I remain grateful for each day, each breath, each moment. Being in the moment, awake, and remembering the gift of life and my feeling of gratitude for all of creation.”
–Steven
“My physical heart by limiting stress and eating a heart-healthy diet. My emotional heart by staying in love with the world and by knowing that all disappointment and loss will pass.“
–David Z.


Today, September 29, is World Heart Day. Strike up a conversation with your own heart and as you feel comfortable, encourage others to do the same. As part of our own transformations and self-care, we sometimes ask for others to illuminate and enliven our hearts or speak our love language.

What if we could do this for ourselves too, even if just for today… or to start a heart practice, forever?



About

Steven Gutierrez

Steven Gutierrez is an editor, writer, and ghostwriter. He has worked in book publishing and at several major (and some minor) magazines.