Crossing the Unknown Sea Work as a Pilgrimage of Identity

by Whyte, David

• ISBN13: 9781573221788
• ISBN10: 1573221783
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-03-19
• Publisher: Riverhead Hardcover

Summary

An exploration of the meaning of work to human beings as an opportunity for deep self discovery and emotional fulfillment. Offers executives a more emotional and spiritual view of what work really is and what it means in human life. Uses poetic language style, but is written in prose. Meant to help the reader identify the roots of mental and emotional growth through work.

Author Biography

Poet David Whyte grew up among the hills and valleys of Yorkshire, England. The author of four books of poetry, he is one of the few poets to take his perspectives on creativity into the field of organizational development, where he works with many American and international companies. He holds a degree in Marine Zoology, and has traveled extensively, including working as a naturalist guide and leading anthropological and natural history expeditions. He brings this wealth of experiences to his poetry, lectures and workshops.

In organizational settings, using poetry and thoughtful commentary, he illustrates how we can foster qualities of courage and engagement; qualities needed if we are to respond to today’s call for increased creativity and adaptability in the workplace. He brings a unique and important contribution to our understanding of the nature of individual and organizational change.

In addition to his four volumes of poetry, David Whyte is the author of The Heart Aroused: Poetry and the Preservation of the Soul in Corporate America, published by Doubleday/Currency, an audio cassette lecture series, and an album of poetry and music. His new book of prose, "Crossing the Unknown Sea: Work as Pilgrimage of Identity" was published in hardcover by Riverhead Books in March, 2001, and is coming out in paperback in April, 2002. He lives with his family in the Pacific Northwest.

Table of Contents

Beginnings
Courage and Conversation: Setting Out with a Firm Persuasion	3	(6)
The Mountain Farm: A Stranger at the Door	9	(22)
Mid Ocean
At the Cliff Edge of Life: From Powerlessness to Participation	31	(31)
A Star for Navigation: Ambition, Horizon, and Arrival	62	(20)
Out of Ireland: A Short Sea Crossing	82	(31)
Arrivals
The Awkward Way the Swan Walks: From Exhaustion to Wholeheartedness	113	(26)
The Fatal Shore: Arrival and Authenticity	139	(14)
Perspectives
Outlaw Imaginings: When the Real You Wants Out	153	(20)
A Marriage with Silence: Escaping the Prison of Time and Work	173	(9)
Crossing the Unknown Sea: A Voyage Through the Hours of the Day	182	(45)
Pilgrimage
Keats and Conversation: The New and Newly Youthful World of Work	227	(19)
Bibliography	246	(1)
Permissions	247	(1)
Index	248