David Whyte on Courage as a Measure of Our Heartfelt Participation with Life

There are maybe a handful to times in your life where you discover a book, that you want to keep by your bedside for the rest of your life. And for me that book is David's ‘Consolations’. It ratcheted open my mind to a whole new perspective on the definitions of words like Ambition, Courage and Heartbreak, that I thought I previously understood.

I’m not sure how to even begin to describe exactly what it is that David does. On paper he's an acclaimed poet, a writer and a philosopher. But to my mind, after having recently spent a magical week with him on the Irish Atlantic coastline, I feel like he's a true elder, with a deep philosophical curiosity and gift for weaving together our inner and outer worlds in what he calls 'the conversational nature of reality’.

We recorded this conversation, in David's cottage by a roaring fire. You can probably hear how nervous I felt, especially early in the first few minutes. But what I really hope comes across, is the way that David’s voice casts a spell of sorts that puts those listening (myself included) into a state of reverie and complete undiluted attention.

It’s a wide-ranging conversation and towards the end we cover some really interesting ground on the questions he believes we’re living our way into as a society, and how Trump is a representation of everything that is wrong with the masculine picture of an immature boy that has never grown fully into the world.

❓Listener Question >> "Do you have a favourite poem that you carry with you? How has poetry shaped your life?” Tag @jonnym1ller on Twitter or Instagram.

📝 Show Notes + Read the full transcript (with my photos of Ireland) over on Medium

📚 Explore David's work: + Follow David on Twitter or Facebook + Read 'The Bell & The Blackbird'. + Apply for one of David's upcoming walking tours in Ireland, the Lake District, Tuscany & New Zealand + Watch David's TED Talk 'A lyrical bridge between past, present and future' + Find out everything else David is up to at davidwhyte.com

🎵Musical Credits Thanks so much to the Heinali who generously provided the musical accompaniments.

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