The Tao of Walt Whitman Daily Insights and Actions to Achieve a Balanced Life

by Shaw, Connie; Allen, Ike

• ISBN13: 9781591811046
• ISBN10: 159181104X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-03-16
• Publisher: Sentient Publications

Summary

Walt Whitman, whose Leaves of Grass was called "the secular Scripture of the United States" by Harold Bloom, is a source of contemporary inspiration. His ecumenical wisdom, which includes both transcendentalism and realism, is encapsulated here in short verses for each day of the year. These, along with a daily action step, become a springboard for readers to transform themselves. The sublime poetry combined with exercises for self-reflection will make this unique pocket-sized daybook a constant companion for those seeking greater balance in their lives. In a world in which poetry has few readers, the authors have created a format to make it accessible and inspire a new audience to find value and use in this genre. By giving readers a context of action or contemplation in which to find their own meaning in the text, they reinvigorate the appreciation of the poetic word. Whether the reader is new to Whitman, or poetry altogether, or is already steeped in the words of the masters, they will find in this volume new ways to approach poetic language and their own lives, regardless of their generation. This is a book to share with grandmothers, best friends, young adults, and book groups, and anyone who wants to plumb the depths of poetic wisdom while learning more about themselves.

Author Biography

Connie Shaw is a publisher and poetry lover. Ike Allen, co-creator of the film Leap! and other movies about consciousness, leads transformational seminars internationally.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 9
Truth	p. 12
Infinite Possibilities	p. 16
Paradox	p. 20
Acceptance	p. 24
Inquiry	p. 28
Appreciation	p. 32
Authenticity	p. 36
Silence	p. 40
Compassion	p. 44
Wildness	p. 48
Miracles	p. 52
Nature	p. 56
Wonder	p. 60
Ecstasy	p. 64
Mystery	p. 68
Timelessness	p. 72
Illusion	p. 76
Death	p. 80
Community	p. 84
Work	p. 88
Generosity	p. 92
Passion	p. 96
Balance	p. 100
Health	p. 104
Mind	p. 108
Body/touch	p. 112
Shadow	p. 116
Practicality	p. 120
Intuition	p. 124
Creativity	p. 128
Chaos	p. 132
Perseverance	p. 136
Laughter	p. 140
Simplicity	p. 144
Transcendence	p. 148
Freedom	p. 152
Movement	p. 156
Vulnerability	p. 160
Devotion	p. 164
Responsibility	p. 168
Doubt	p. 172
Independence	p. 176
Duality	p. 180
Nonduality	p. 184
Receptiveness	p. 188
Eidelons	p. 192
Vitality	p. 196
Peace	p. 200
Emptiness	p. 204
Understanding	p. 208
Happiness	p. 212
Celebration	p. 216
About the Authors	p. 220
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.