Guru Viking Podcast Ep340: Poetry and the Sacred Remix [Bonus Episode] - John Brehm and Henry Shukman
Dec 27, 2025
This bonus conversation features John Brehm, an insightful poet exploring the spiritual dimensions of poetry, and Henry Shukman, known for his lyrical examinations of presence and landscape. They delve into how erotic poetry can evoke the sacred and discuss the profound impact of psychedelics on their artistic expressions. Brehm critiques aggressive analysis, advocating for an appreciative approach to poetry. Both share their love for the overlooked, drawing parallels between their poetic journeys and the spiritual awakening found in everyday life.
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Full Range Opens The Sacred
- Embracing the full range of human feeling lets poetry touch the sacred rather than exclude parts of experience.
- John Brehm argues inclusion of flawed impulses can open poems to deeper resonance.
Pigeons And A Provoked Poem
- John Brehm recounted a poem that provoked a hostile Facebook group because of its sexual content.
- He also described writing "Non-Harming" about shooting pigeons with a BB gun as a playful confession.
Enter Poems With Appreciation
- Enter poems via appreciative attention rather than aggressive analysis to enable deeper immersion.
- Brehm says appreciation lets readers merge with the poet's consciousness and access new alchemical insights.