The Dharma of Poetry: How Poems Can Deepen Your Spiritual Practice and Open You to Joy

Love this book

Este libro es una maravilla de apertura espiritual.

Quick Disclosure, the last book I read was probably 6 years ago in college. I don't typically read. John was one of my customers and when he said he was an author I looked into his portfolio and thought maybe this book would be a good quick read since I've been undergoing a lot of stress in my life.I wasn't prepared for the journey this put me though. I think in life we get so caught up in the mundane and media that it distracts us from living in the moment. When we stop to soak everything around us our thoughts form into words, we are all capable of being poets in our own mind.With my job, I am filled with constant anxiety, "did this customer get taken care of or did I miss something or .... what if". My mind is filled with these questions that infect my mind like a sickness that I can't quite get rid of (even off the clock). Half way through reading this book I realized I am not seeing what I want to see or feeling what I want to feel because my mind is clouded with thoughts that are toxic. What if I had a job where I don't have to be filled with constant anxiety, would this allow me to live more clearly and in the moment? Would this allow me to have more positive thoughts when I'm not working?Reading through this I felt reinvigorated and enlighten. I'm ready to make some big decisions in my life that will help gear me towards a healthier mindset so I can form better poetry in my own mind. I never thought a book evaluating poetry would evoke so much wisdom. 5/5

John Brehm’s book, The Dharma of Poetry, shows how poems can be a door that takes us deeper into our spiritual lives. A beautiful weave of thoughtful essays and carefully selected poems offers a healing balm from the often overwhelming stress of today’s world. I keep this book and Brehm’s companion book; The Poetry of Impermanence, Mindfulness, and Joy, on my bedside table for daily inspiration and solace in difficult times. Read this book and settle into the quiet wisdom within.

This book is an analysis of some of the poets and poems in The Poetry of Impermanence. The autor has some interesting ideas about the work. If you love the first book you will probably like this one. The suggested meditation exercises are helpful. The author is the editor of the first book and his thiughts are relevant.

This beautiful book gave me a new appreciation and insight of poetry.