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Over 125 poetic companions, from Basho to Billy Collins, Saigyo to Shakespeare.
The Poetry of Impermanence, Mindfulness, and Joy received the Spirituality & Practice Book Award for 50 Best Spiritual Books in 2017 by Spirituality and Practice Website.
The poems expertly gathered here offer all that one might hope for in spiritual companionship: wisdom, compassion, peacefulness, good humor, and the ability to both absorb and express the deepest human emotions of grief and joy. The book includes a short essay on “Mindful Reading” and a meditation on sound from editor John Brehm—helping readers approach the poems from an experiential, non-analytical perspective and enter into the mindful reading of poetry as a kind of meditation.
The Poetry of Impermanence, Mindfulness, and Joy offers a wide-ranging collection of 129 ancient and modern poems unlike any other anthology on bookshelves today. It uniquely places Buddhist poets like Han Shan, Tu Fu, Saigyo, Ryokan, Basho, Issa, and others alongside modern Western poets one would not expect to find in such a collection—poets like Wallace Stevens, Robert Frost, Elizabeth Bishop, William Stafford, Denise Levertov, Jack Gilbert, Ellen Bass, Billy Collins, and more. What these poems have in common, no matter whether they are explicitly Buddhist, is that all reflect the essential truths the Buddha articulated 2,500 years ago.
The book provides an important poetic complement to the many prose books on mindfulness practice—the poems here both reflect and embody the dharma in ways that can’t be matched by other modes of writing. Its unique features include an introduction that discusses the themes of impermanence, mindfulness, and joy and explores the relationship between them. Biographical notes place the poets in historical context and offer quotes and anecdotes to help readers learn about the poets’ lives.
From the Publisher
Accept an Invitation to Connect
A poetry anthology from the editor of the bestselling Poetry of Impermanence, Mindfulness, and Joy
Explorations of loss, of thanksgiving, of transformation—of the darkest and brightest moments of our lives—some of these poems show a path forward while others simply acknowledge and empathize with where we are. All are celebrations of poetry’s ability to express what seemed inexpressible and to bring us into greater awareness of the deepest aspects of our shared human experience.
This quietly inspirational anthology from poet and editor John Brehm includes poems by Rainer Maria Rilke, Robert Frost, Elizabeth Bishop, Czesław Miłosz, Seamus Heaney, Billy Collins, Joy Harjo, Danusha Laméris, Ada Limón, Kevin Young, Arthur Sze, Ellen Bass, Li-Young Lee, Natasha Trethewey, and many more.
It also includes Brehm’s essay on appreciative attention and links to guided meditations for select poems.
Also from John Brehm
The Poetry of Impermanence, Mindfulness, and Joy
The Poetry of Impermanence, Mindfulness, and Joy offers a wide-ranging collection of 129 ancient and modern poems unlike any other anthology on bookshelves today. It uniquely places Buddhist poets like Han Shan, Tu Fu, Saigyo, and others alongside modern Western poets one would not expect to find in such a collection—poets like Wallace Stevens, Robert Frost, Billy Collins, and more. What these poems have in common is that all reflect the essential truths the Buddha articulated 2,500 years ago.
The Dharma of Poetry
In The Dharma of Poetry, John Brehm shows how poems can open up new ways of thinking, feeling, and being in the world. Brehm demonstrates the practice of mindfully entering a poem, with an alertness, curiosity, and open-hearted responsiveness very much like the attention we cultivate in meditation. Complete with poetry-related meditations and writing prompts, this collection of lively, elegantly written essays can be read as a standalone book or as a companion to the author’s acclaimed anthology The Poetry of Impermanence, Mindfulness, and Joy.
Dharma Talk
A volume of original poetry from the bestselling creator of Poetry of Impermanence, Mindfulness, and Joy.
In Dharma Talk, award-winning poet John Brehm explores the perennial themes of aging, compassion, emptiness, nonseparation, and more. At once poignant and humorous, Brehm’s gentle, wry poems remind us that the personal and the universal are not different—and point us to the Dharma of everyday life.
ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1614293317
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wisdom Publications (June 6, 2017)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 312 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781614293316
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1614293316
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.5 x 0.9 x 6.5 inches
Customers say
Customers find the book offers a well-curated collection of poems from known and lesser-known poets, with an excellent how-to read poetry section. They find the selection thoughtful and enriching for their spiritual lives. The book is described as delightful, sweet, and full of profundity. Readers appreciate the timeless themes and relevance to life.
Jennifer Butler –
Best Poetry Collection ever for spiritual growth and reflection
I use this collection for daily meditation. I’ve never seen such a broad collection spanning almost all of human history and every continent. The selections are grouped by themes of mindfulness, joy and impermanence with an excellent “how to read poetry” section in the back. I’m a Christian who appreciates Buddhism. I am also new to an appreciation of poetry. I’ve used this book alongside Bible reading to pray and contemplate. This collection has enriched my spiritual life so much that I have given a number of copies as gifts.
D.H. –
Beautiful Poems
When this book first came and I opened it, I didn’t think too much of it but that was because my mind was turbulent from life. Later, when I was calmer, I opened it again and discovered what it really is – a first class collection of beautiful poems.
James Barilla –
Just lovely
This is a beautiful book in every way — the perfect gift for anyone, especially oneself 🙂 Nothing cheesy here, just deeply moving truths from a community of higher consciousness. What is needed right now and always. It’s also delightfully sized — fits in the hand or a pocket for taking on solitary walks.
Dan Stern and Gail Stern –
Very nice collection
Broad range of poets. Many resonated with me.
mike –
Four Stars
Empty
Susan in Bham –
An unusual collection
I’ve bought half a dozen copies of this book, for friends, etc. beautiful collection of poetry related to Buddhism, and not your typical fare. Very thoughtfully curated.
M. Wolk –
relevant prose for those who are contemplating their own life, and the life of people they love.
I am not a poet.The only poems I used to know start with” There once was a gal from……”This collection has very relevant prose, especially for those who are contemplating the life of those they love, and their own fate.I have bought and given copies of this book to a at least 10 people who find great comfort, relevance and compassion after reading this collection.
Per Chat –
Great book
Absolutely lovely. I’ve recited numerous poems in my classes; and have recommended this book to many others.
pcĂ©sare –
Sexta-feira Santa. Celebro a data lendo essa maravilhosa coletânea sobre poesia da impermanĂŞncia, atenção plena e jĂşbilo. Um livro lindo, da capa ao conteĂşdo, alimento para a alma, trabalho de gigantes.Passeiam por essas páginas mais de sessenta poetas, dos mestres japoneses do passado longĂnquo a Shakespeare, Pablo Neruda, Fernando Pessoa e nomes menos conhecidos da PolĂ´nia e GrĂ©cia, alĂ©m da boa safra de poetas norte-americanos.Tanta beleza nessas páginas, difĂcil recolher amostras. Por questĂŁo de espaço, fico com os japoneses (e um chinĂŞs), que sĂŁo mais econĂ´micos com as palavras. Um pecado deixar de fora um poema espetacular intitulado “A alegria dos peixes”, de um poeta chamado Chuang Tzu, que viveu 300 anos antes de Cristo; o poema maravilhoso de Pablo Neruda sobre a morte de uma árvore- esse nĂŁo resisto e copio um trechinho: “Fiquei lá olhando o que ainda ontem abrigava os sons da floresta e ninhos, mas eu nĂŁo chorei porque meu irmĂŁo falecido foi tĂŁo bonito na morte quanto na vida..”Como diz o editor, este Ă© um livro que pode ser lido como um Ăşnico poema em mĂşltiplas vozes. E arremata: “A consciĂŞncia da efĂŞmera natureza das coisas pode ter sido a primeira expressĂŁo poĂ©tica”.♣NĂŁo diga que minha cabana nĂŁo tem nada a oferecer:Venha e compartilharei contigoA brisa fresca que entra pela janela.
iggypoots –
loved this little book of wisdom
Pradnya Shenoy –
A brilliant collection of poetry based on The principles of Buddhism.
clarislou –
I LOVE this little book. It keeps me calm and sane through crazy times. It also delights and inspires. I have bought this book many times over for friends to share its wonders. It is the spiritual sangha (or community) that editor John Brehm promises and it travels with me everywhere. I am very grateful to John Brehm for putting it together – thank you John!
Rowena Scotney –
So so beautiful x Thank you John Brehm for these poems gathered together. Such depth and lightness, joy, wonder and heartful wisdom, gentleness, humanity and truth. I carry these poems with me x