Rachel Naomi Remen describes the awe and power of the life force--that enables thin blades of grass to grow up through concrete sidewalks. She emphasizes that we cut ourselves off from the power of the life force when we edit ourselves in accordance with the approval and disapproval of others. the life force, which is the basis of authentic healing, is our birthright as human beings.

Rachel Naomi Remen is author of The Human Patient, Kitchen Table Wisdom and My Grandfather's Blessings: Tales of Strength, Refuge and Belonging. She is medical director and co-founder of the Commonweal Cancer Help Center in Bolinas, California. She is also a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center.