The marvelous thing about a good question is that it shapes our identity as much by the asking as it does by the answering. David Whyte More Quotes by David Whyte More Quotes From David Whyte Genius is becoming something you were all along. David Whyte becoming-something becoming genius Poetry is the art of overhearing ourselves say things from which it is impossible to retreat. David Whyte retreat impossible art What we strive for David Whyte angel perfection inspirational For the personality, bankruptcy or failure may be a disaster. For the soul, it may be grist for its strangely joyful mill, and a condition it has been secretly engineering for years. David Whyte engineering personality years It doesn't interest me if there is one God or many gods. I want to know if you belong or feel abandoned. If you know despair or can see it in others. David Whyte abandoned despair want When I recite poems onstage, I put myself into the very personal struggle and it grants tremendous perspective. At the same time you get another perspective on the poem you're reciting. David Whyte grants perspective struggle Alertness is the hidden discipline of familiarity. David Whyte alertness alertness-is discipline By definition, poetry works with qualities and dynamics that mainstream society is reluctant to face head-on. It's an interesting phenomenon that by necessity, poetry is just below the radar. David Whyte mainstream-society quality interesting Being young and trying to catch a glimpse of the depths, of the true self, of the soul, or whatever human beings have called it over the centuries, we often find ourselves surrounded by bossy, hectoring voices trying to short-circuit our personal experience by super-imposing their own disappointments. Much of this bossiness masquerades as an education. David Whyte disappointment self inspirational The great poems are not about experience, but are the experience itself, felt in the body. David Whyte felt body and how we are all preparing for that abrupt waking, and that calling, and that moment we have to say yes, except it will not come so grandly, so Biblically, but more subtly and intimately in the face of the one you know you have to love David Whyte calling faith faces To give generously but appropriately and then, most difficult of all, and as the full apotheosis of the art, with feeling, in the moment and spontaneously, has always been recognized as one of the greatest of human qualities. David Whyte feelings giving art The tragedy with velocity as the answer to complexity is that, after awhile, you cannot see or comprehend anything that is not traveling at the same speed you are. And you actually start to feel disturbed by people who have a sense of restfulness to their existence. David Whyte tragedy answers people The art form has to do with the mystery and the hidden invitation that's in the room. And that's when the magic happens, that's when the deep silence emerges to the surprise of all the attentively listening ears. In a way, you're following that silence. You go where the silence is deepest. David Whyte listening-ear silence art The outlaw is the radical, the one close to the roots of existence. The one who refuses to forget their humanity and, in remembering, helps everyone else remember, too. David Whyte humanity roots helping Poetry is a street fighter. It has sharp elbows. It can look after itself. Poetry can't be used for manipulation; it's why you never see good poetry in advertising. David Whyte manipulation elbows looks If I don't have time for the writing, it's because I'm not making that time. It's really just a question of whether you want to or not, whether you feel you deserve to write or not. David Whyte want writing feels Poetry is often the art of overhearing yourself say things you didn't know you knew. It is a learned skill to force yourself to articulate your life, your present world or your possibilities for the future. David Whyte skills world art There's a fierce practicality and empiricism which the whole imaginative, lyrical aspect of poetry comes from. David Whyte lyrical aspect fierce I love the best of all the traditions. My discipline is the take-no-prisoners language of good poetry, but a language that actually frees us from prejudice, no matter what religion or political persuasion they are. I try to create a river-like discourse. The river is not political, it's not on your side or against you. It's an invitation into the onward flow. David Whyte your-side discipline rivers
