Description
In The Slow Runner’s Nirvana: Discovering a Path to Joy in the Presence of Pain, Craig A. Grossman offers an unfiltered and courageous glimpse into his discovery of the potential of running as a means of overcoming both emotional and physical pain. Indeed, the book began as a desperate suicide note that was intended for the eyes of only five to six close friends and relatives but fortunately evolved into a compelling account of Grossman’s personal journey, providing insights into the human experience of suffering and the pursuit of joy.
In this case, the path to joy started from a place of severe dissatisfaction. As Grossman neared his 50th birthday, he recognized that his physical health and his life were crumbling around him, with his marriage, his role as a father, his high-flying career spanning several domains, and his friendships all having become casualties of his lifelong battle with depression. His degrees from Stanford and Harvard, the “honors and gold stars” on his résumé, the prestigious professional titles he had amassed, all the money and success he had ever dreamed of—none of it meant anything. And it certainly didn’t bring him happiness.
The fact that he had made several unsuccessful suicide attempts is made clear from the outset, and Grossman’s intimate exploration and analysis of his struggles with mental health lies at the center of his story, which is ultimately turned around by the unexpected discovery that the simple act of running could serve as a catalyst for healing. “Running itself has a particular meaning in my life as it has for many others. It has been the most important thing on my path. It has kept me alive, quite literally, saving me from problems with depression and giving me a reason to continue forward.”
Running, as Grossman poignantly explains, served as his “teacher,” while the desire to run a marathon, which entails grueling preparation, traversing unforgiving terrain, and pushing the human body to its limits, gave rise to a new purpose in his life. The pursuit of this goal necessitated an unwavering commitment to daily discipline, training, and focus, with every step of his training and practice being associated with potential pitfalls. In fact, Grossman’s journey toward marathon-running glory involved a meticulous balancing act that left no room for depression or the general ramblings of an unquiet mind.
Despite its focus on sharing lessons and strategies with others in an effort to spare them the pain he endured and help them on the path to recovery/contentment, Grossman’s story is not a typical self-help book. Rather than relying on techniques from the therapy field, it focuses on practical matters, highlighting the everyday settings in which both breakdown and recovery can occur. Through a Buddhist perspective that focuses on living in the now, Grossman shares his unique experience of finding solace and contentment amid the chaos of mental illness and chronic pain, and all via the unconventional practice of running very slowly.
The Slow Runner’s Nirvana is more than a memoir or a self-help guide—it’s an uplifting and insightful examination of life, mental (ill-)health, and the pursuit of happiness. Grossman’s story serves as an inspirational testament to the transformative and restorative power of resilience, discipline, and following one’s passions, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges such as a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. As such, it provides an engaging narrative of hope and healing that should appeal to (slow) runners and non-runners alike.