“So rarely do we get to sail the winds of life with such a thoughtful, insightful, and reflective thinker and feeler.  This gorgeous book is a gift to those of us who worry and wonder about the earth and the unfolding of our personal path. With a poet’s elegance, a meditator’s sensitivity, and philosopher’s insight, Hoelting helps us celebrate human experience in its fragile yet shining quality.” —Paul Wapner, author of Living through the End of Nature

In Apprentice to the Wild, long-time wilderness guide and meditation teacher Kurt Hoelting charts the evolution of his path from his early encounters with wildness and risk on commercial fishing vessels in Alaska to his embrace of Zen practice as a gateway to the wild within. Inspired by the words and friendship of Gary Snyder, Hoelting founded Inside Passages, guiding mindfulness-based kayaking expeditions in Alaska focused on how the “practice of the wild” informs both our inner and outer landscapes. In later essays, he reveals the role of grief as teacher in his own life and discovers what it means to become an elder in turbulent times. With honesty and wisdom, Hoelting offers timely advice: “In a time of profound ecological challenges, reclaiming a felt connection with the wild forces that gave birth to our species has become an essential part of our emerging survival equipment.”  

$20.00 ISBN 979-8-99174-002-9
Coming January 22, 2025

Preorder your copy now