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David Whyte on The Art of Poetry and Prose

Jun 21, 2022

David Whyte, a renowned poet and author leading the Many Rivers Organization, shares his insights on the transformative power of poetry and prose. He discusses his latest collection, "Still Possible," and dives into themes of personal growth through creativity. Whyte explores emotions like anxiety and depression, viewing them as paths to deeper connections. The significance of silence and self-inquiry also plays a crucial role in his philosophy, encouraging listeners to embrace vulnerability and the power of storytelling in understanding their journeys.

58:51

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David Whyte

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Quick takeaways

Silence is a doorway to understanding and transformation, allowing us to break free from anxieties and connect deeply with ourselves and others.

Life consists of three essential marriages - work, another person, and ourselves - each offering growth, renewal, and deepening intimacy.

Embracing the unknown and cultivating silence allows us to find true happiness, letting go of expectations and control, and fully inhabiting the present moment.

Deep dives

The Power of Silence

Silence is often seen as the enemy to our established identity, but it is actually a doorway to understanding and transformation. Embracing silence allows us to let go of our anxieties, worries, and reluctances, and be open to the present moment. By cultivating a relationship with silence, we can find peace, compassion, and intimacy with ourselves and others. Silence helps us break free from the noise and busyness of life, connecting us to a deeper sense of self and the world around us.

Making Silence a Friend

03:47

Awakening is Not Freedom From Feeling Things

04:13

Understanding Your Reluctance

03:55

The Parable of the Bad Wolf

03:59

Intro

2min

Navigating Inner Battles and Spiritual Growth

18min

The Interplay of Poetry and Prose

6min

Embracing the Journey of Self-Discovery

14min

Navigating Life's Unpredictability

5min

Navigating Existence: Embracing Intimacy and Silence

17min

Embracing Silence and Community Support

4min

David Whyte is a poet and author who also leads the Many Rivers Organization and Invitas, the Institute for Conversational Leadership, which he founded in 2014. David is the author of many poetry collection and prose books, including his newest book, Still Possible

In this episode, Eric and David discuss several of David’s beautiful poems from his latest collection, as well as some of his older work.

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David Whyte and I Discuss The Art of Poetry and Prose and…

His book, Still Possible
His poem, Your Prayer
The metaphor of a doorway, and how it can be a barrier or an opening in your life
Beautiful forgetting and how we can get out of and then into ourselves
How depression is a form of stuckness
Asking yourself how invitational you are to the people in your life
His book, The Three Marriages
How poetry is the art of saying things you didn’t know you knew
His poem, The Road to Santiago
How our reluctances are doorways to connection to other people
Anxiety and how it is a kind of staticness
How not knowing is great intimacy
The importance of silence and rest