Larry Jordan

Everyone is related, and everything is connected.

Existential Health: Being Available, Engaged, and Present

Oct 29, 2026 by Larry Jordan, in The Way

Here, I reflect on the themes in Jim Palmer's new book, “The Practice of Being Alive.”

The book centers on "existential health," which Jim defines as the health of a person's relationship to their own existence.

It involves finding solid footing through inner orientation, relational integrity, communal belonging, and cosmic grounding.

Jim’s consistent emphasis on contact, footing, and grounding resonates with me.

I connect Jim’s ideas to my own Zen practice, noting that both philosophies emphasize living in the moment and accepting reality as it truly is.

Existential health is NOT about mastering self-improvement techniques, but about becoming more available, engaged, and present.

Have you become healthier by becoming more available, engaged, and present?



Existential Health: Being Available, Engaged, and Present

 




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