David Whyte, Poet - The Conversational Nature of Reality

[@timferriss]

This episode is brought to you by: GiveWell.org charity research and effective giving: givewell.org (If you’ve never used GiveWell to donate, you can have your donation matched up to one hundred dollars before the end of the year or as long as matching funds last. To claim your match, go to givewell.org and pick PODCAST and enter The Tim Ferriss Show at checkout.) Eight Sleep’s Pod 4 Ultra sleeping solution for dynamic cooling and heating: eightsleep.com/tim (save between $400 and $600 on the Pod 4 Ultra) AG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement: DrinkAG1.com/Tim (1-year supply of Vitamin D (and 5 free AG1 travel packs) with your first subscription purchase.)

[@tabishumaransari]

I can't overstate how nourished I feel everytime I listen to David. I discovered him back in 2019 when I was living in Galway, on the west coast of Ireland. Since then, I've moved countries twice and have resided in various cities but I carry a piece of west-of-Ireland and its sensibilities in me.

[@sarahthomson8183]

Spiritually and emotionally nourished. Yes.

[@Lou-ve6sy]

I have appreciated David Whyte for decades, his writing, interviews, etc. A quick David Whyte story… 25 years ago I took a seat on an airport lease car transport bus on route to an interview. Much to my surprise David was on the same bus and sat next to me. I recognized him from his picture on his book “The Heart Aroused.” A book I love and have re-read many times. I said hello and shared that I was an admirer. We talked for a short while. He asked me about my trip. I explained that I was at a cross roads career-wise and that this was a job interview trip that could be an important one. David shared that he just had a feeling that this trip was going to be significant for me. Well it turned out he was right, it was life changing and positive. After all these years, I have never forgotten those 5 mins with him on that transport bus.

[@ptaylor3304]

Wonderful!

[@ericteplitz9263]

Bravo!!! Ever since your return from sabbatical, your podcast has been *on fire*....!!! Liz Gilbert, Jon Batiste, Cyan Banister, and now David Whyte, each winning out over all others the deserved acclaim of Best Episode Ever!!! Thank you, Tim, for these amazing conversations with such gems of guests. Your marriage of preparation and presence has made each one of these interviews extraordinary, memorable, inspired, and inspiring. Much love and gratitude your way!

[@MichelleBrownAU]

YES!!

[@cristiaanamariesaint4458]

It’s painful to physically cry in the morning as I have while listening to David recite ‘Everything Is Waiting For You’. Just yesterday I encountered my extreme aloneness living on 61 acres in Normandy, France tending to a castle together with my two dogs. For a moment, perhaps only to comfort myself, I accepted the thought that maybe it was a meditation, and within the meditation (my life) was my art. I’ll listen again now, I’m sure there’s more crying to do.

[@yawni__emptysullivan840]

What a life 😮

[@yawni__emptysullivan840]

You should start a youtube channel 😳

[@cristiaanamariesaint4458]

@@yawni__emptysullivan840❤

[@cristiaanamariesaint4458]

@@yawni__emptysullivan840❤

[@ellepeterson9992]

Your life sounds incredible. Not to discount the loneliness. Only to say, I see you out there.

[@Dreamaster2012]

I feel a holy calling when David is reciting. Something mythic and far away. Yet, as near as your longing heart. Not a longing like missing something, but a holy longing to step into the image of the poem and regain this peace that passeth all understanding. Blessed be ❤🎉❤

[@PartyAtFarlows]

Back in the beginning of the Tim Ferriss Show, I might listen to a podcast repeatedly because there were little options for other good content - usually the first time for content and context and the second or third for clarity. This will definitely be one of those episodes that I return to repeatedly for clarity. Thank you for this brilliant interview.

[@serpenttree]

Thank you Tim for having David on and sharing this conversation!

[@rishibaldeo5479]

Thank you Tim for showing us the way, the truth and the light with your magnificent guests

[@elaynebaker1511]

I’m a 60 yr old American and wouldn’t heard of David unless I listened to this fantastic interview 🎉❤ Cool stuff

[@karenvalencic]

What a gift - thank you. I've listened to it twice and find it very transcendent! He is a master of words.

[@Archnamohan]

Thanks for this beautiful talk and David whyte is so good.

[@ptaylor3304]

Brilliant conversation. David brings deep wisdom in a way that can be heard. I’ve experienced later realisations about what he’s meant by certain things. Kind of epiphanies that have helped support and guide me. High praise indeed!

[@poetsandreamers]

We forget how much beauty words hold. I want to read so much more poetry. Thank you guys

[@parlaitaliano1]

I have been listening to you for quite a while and although some guests were not my cup of tea, I loved the superb way you conducted the conversations and, no matter who you talked to, extracted valuable insight. However, the best thing has been to witness the evolution of the podcast over the years. And now David Whyte, fabulous!

[@Jojosolomoncity]

I watched Jon Batiste, and thought to myself this has got to be the “ Best episode ever” then you hit us with this soul expanding, divinely enriching gift of David Whyte!! This was so good that I want to learn poetry just so I can find the words to describe the magic of this episode! Thank you Tim.

[@VickiThomas-f7n]

Oh My God..this man is better than any guru or spiritual teacher that I've encountered ..Listening to him breaks my heart and consoles me at the same time..Huge gratitude to be able to hear and see him ❤❤

[@carolspencer6915]

Good afternoon Tim and David Thank you for this shared conversation. Truly grateful. 💜

[@adellyjosefina]

Intense, starting at the point where he stated that the David Whyte project as self is absurd, onward. What is real about our identities "is at the seasonal edge of your existence, and that, as yet, does not have a name. And that is actually the place from which you write good poetry, from the unknown, below the horizon of your understanding deep inside yourself".

[@lisakaplan307]

By far my most favorite episode. Thank you so much. I had so many insights to my own wisdom while watching and listening. Many many thanks!❤

[@realhi-fihelplarry8047]

Very brave of this guy to post so much high quality content in so many different directions. It totally kills the popularity, but it gives us soooo much more quality of content. So thank you for NOT selling out!

[@davidmoore2869]

Thank you Tim, this would not have been an easy interview to prepare for. Your smooth deep questioning style was perfect for allowing him to flow with his both present and past reflections. I first came across David Whyte in 2012, read both poems and prose from The House of Belonging to The Three Marriages and both my sons have loved and benefitted from David's work. I met him in the Burren at a Leadership Retreat in 2017 with Irish musician Matin Hayes, got have amazing conversations and hear stories over Guinnes and lamb shank.

[@neurovil]

What a show! Poignancy about the human experience and a new favourite poet all in the first 15 minutes. Thank you.

[@LisadharmaAcosta]

Love love David’s poetry! Thanks for having him on your show!! ❤

[@Nametaken144]

Tim and David, thank you for sharing such a beautiful conversation ❤ I often wonder if people like yourselves are aware of how the work you push out into the world can bring such joy and beauty to the lives of others.

[@lauraanderson2982]

Thank Heaven I found this talk today. My heart is GRATEFUL for the wisdom and beauty that is expressed through this sharing. Indeed "touched the timeless within time"! Blessings

[@SueThomason1]

This made me so happy.

[@KellySmith-rj3lu]

✨🕯️🌟💫✨ great interview! 🪄✨✨✨✨🙌

[@MichelleBrownAU]

What an amazing interview!! Thanks!

[@dongyoon8772]

Tim, you always seem to find the most interesting guests that continue to change my life. Thank you

[@hirashaukat7674]

Such a beautiful conversation and David reciting his work 😊 thankyou for bringing this to us ❤️

[@walterreuther1779]

David Whyte's poems blow me away, amazing that you feel the same...

[@chrisbournea7056]

This conversation was a gem!

[@smitty0375]

This is magnificent and right on time. Thank you.

[@c.m.1248]

I'm so glad you decided to have David on the show. I love the psycho-spiritual path you are bringing and inquiring on your show as well as no doubt for yourself as well @TimFerriss Deep bow

[@gracefulabundance]

Great listening to the two of you.

[@poetsandreamers]

Very cool interview

[@shalmalianandm5799]

I can listen to him for the whole day!! ❤

[@Ladynerd90]

Incredible episode. So many revelations for me

[@Adammingstudio]

I love how your podcasts are becoming more spiritual, perhaps a round 2 with Krista Tippit is on the cards?

[@ingridmolins19]

I loved this episode💙

[@karalough4402]

The Zen Essay ✨🙏🏻🌿

[@mmac4942]

Such a nourishing conversation, thank you !!

[@cathybinder1111]

I’ve heard Zac Bush name that place as being when we know we are at the TIPPING POINT OF ALL THINGS. I love this and I know often that it’s the ONLY place where I ever TRULY abide! WE ARE THE CREATORS! I haven’t heard David before and I Am DEFINITELY IN LOVE NOW!!!!! Haha how BEAUTIFUL AND SO FULL OF THE ALL OF WHO WE ARE WHAT WE ARE AND HOW WE SERVE AND WHEN WE KNOW THIS ABOUT OURSELVES THATS WHEN I KNOW! I KNOW OUR TRUTH! I KNOW WHO I AM AND I AM KNOW THAT I AM THAT I AM!!!!!!! Thank you!!!

[@HiMotionAndDesign]

Two of my favorite humans! What a treat!

[@shooshoojoon4]

What a wealth of Life shared with all that as one and as all is felt but had not known the words to give the shape of one ness that we are! Thank you

[@russandrews3078]

Thank you, both.

[@kylewatson2972]

I always find myself staring off into the horizon as a quick pick me up. I've never put words to the feeling I get when I do it, but hearing David talk about it generally was poetry for me. Very grateful for this conversation and look forward to picking up some of his work

[@eatingcleaner]

This was beautiful. Thanks for going out on the proverbial intellectual limb with this one.

[@yvonneraley3050]

Wow! Thankyou ❤ So beautiful

[@samgravell3180]

“Put down the weight of your aloneness and ease into the conversation.” Stunning.

[@alwaysthinkingmindset]

Good stuff

[@justine_ramdas]

The conversational nature of reality. It’s been one of my favorite phrases for years and continues to be. How is life speaking to and through you? What is it communicating? Life is here to help us, but we must listen to what it’s saying. Or, as my Dad would say “reality is your best friend.”

[@yianniskrompas]

wow this is the first time I have seen a video of you Tim so early! Happy to watch!

[@paulstanley3612]

Your best podcast to date. I had the privilege of meeting DW, about 10 years ago at a workshop in the UK. Sometimes he can be a tad ‘over-performative’ for my taste. This was DW at his best. Thanks both…

[@amirnaderi8470]

Oooof, what a 💎. 🙋‍♀️knuckledragger here but could listen to him recite poetry for days on straight. Thanks Tim

[@BobGray-xc2he]

How wonderful.

[@hejira6]

A BENEDICTION !!!!🙏🙏awash in some newly seen fresh light Thank you , both of you , what a gift ….

[@hopefellows7389]

The only reason I have “no regrets”is: whatever causes the regret is a lesson to be learned. No regrets=no lessons to be learned.

[@susydicello2388]

Such a huge fan of David Whyte! So grateful to hear this conversation. ❤

[@susydyson1750]

Ah Henry .. laughed at the frase drive past on the Zen Laburgubu ! 😊

[@barrygibbons4625]

Zen maestro ❤

[@jjjccc728]

## The Map and Territory of Creative Expression in David Whyte's Life This analysis applies the map-territory concept to the interview with David Whyte, exploring how his approach to poetry and Zen practice functions as a map for navigating the territory of creative expression and personal transformation. **Territory:** The territory represents the vast and multifaceted realm of human experience, encompassing both internal and external landscapes: * **The Inner Landscape:** This includes emotions, intuition, desires, doubts, fears, and the ever-evolving sense of self. It's a space of constant flux, where one grapples with identity, purpose, and the complexities of being human. * **The Outer Landscape:** This encompasses the physical world, relationships, societal structures, cultural influences, and the vastness of nature. It's a space of constant interaction, where one encounters challenges, beauty, connection, and the ever-present potential for growth. * **The Intersection of Inner and Outer:** The territory is defined by the dynamic interplay between these two landscapes. Experiences in the outer world shape the inner landscape, and the inner landscape influences how one perceives and interacts with the world. **Map:** Whyte's approach to poetry and Zen practice, as expressed in the interview, serves as a map for navigating this intricate territory. Key elements of this map include: * **Poetry as a "Secret Code to Life":** Whyte views poetry as a means of accessing and articulating the deeper truths of human experience. It provides a language for expressing the often unspoken and a framework for making sense of the complexities of life. * **Zen as a "Path of Heartbreak":** Whyte describes Zen practice as a process of confronting and embracing the inevitable pain and loss inherent in the human condition. It involves letting go of attachments and illusions to make space for genuine connection and authenticity. * **The Conversational Nature of Reality:** Whyte emphasizes the importance of dialogue, both internally and externally, as a way of understanding and navigating the world. He views conversation as an invitation to explore, question, and deepen one's understanding of self and others. * **Embracing the Unknown:** Whyte encourages a willingness to step into the unknown, to confront the edges of one's understanding and embrace the uncertainty that comes with growth and transformation. * **Cultivating Presence and Attention:** Whyte stresses the importance of paying attention to the present moment, both in the inner and outer landscapes, as a way of fully engaging with life. This involves a conscious effort to observe, listen, and experience the world with an open heart and mind. ### Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Map The effectiveness of this map lies in its capacity to guide individuals toward a deeper understanding of themselves and the world, fostering creativity, resilience, and a more meaningful engagement with life. Here are three concrete examples from the interview: **Example 1: The Transformative Power of "Regret"** * **Map:** Whyte encourages fully experiencing regret, not as a source of paralysis but as an invitation to engage with the future more generously. * **Territory:** He recounts a personal experience where confronting his own limitations and regrets regarding his writing process led to a breakthrough in his creative expression. * **Effectiveness:** This example demonstrates the map's effectiveness in using difficult emotions as catalysts for growth. By reframing regret as a source of insight and motivation, Whyte highlights the map's potential to shift perspectives and unlock new possibilities. **Example 2: Finding "Timelessness" Through Presence** * **Map:** Whyte suggests that loosening one's grip on controlling time allows for an experience of timelessness and a deeper connection to the present moment. * **Territory:** He describes a profound experience while writing his essay "Time," where he felt a sense of time looking back at him, leading to a release from his anxieties about time and an awareness of its multifaceted nature. * **Effectiveness:** This example highlights the map's ability to guide individuals towards a more expansive and liberating experience of time. By shifting the focus from controlling time to embracing the present moment, Whyte demonstrates how the map can cultivate a sense of peace and connection with the eternal flow of life. **Example 3: The "Beautiful Question" as a Tool for Inquiry** * **Map:** Whyte emphasizes the power of asking "beautiful questions" that foster introspection and deepen one's understanding of self and the world. * **Territory:** He shares the story of his friend Michael, whose persistent questioning about the nature of Blake's inspiration ("Did Blake actually talk to angels?") led to a profound exploration of faith, doubt, and the limits of human understanding. * **Effectiveness:** This example showcases the map's emphasis on curiosity and open-ended inquiry as a path towards meaning-making. Whyte suggests that the act of asking meaningful questions can be as transformative as finding answers, as it opens up new avenues for exploration and growth. ### Overall Assessment The map presented by Whyte, encompassing poetry, Zen practice, and a conversational approach to life, offers a powerful framework for navigating the complexities of the human experience. It encourages individuals to engage with their inner and outer landscapes with courage, vulnerability, and an open heart, ultimately fostering creativity, resilience, and a deeper sense of connection to themselves and the world around them. By embracing the challenges and uncertainties of the territory, individuals can use this map to unlock a richer and more meaningful life.

[@languagemodeler]

oh hell yeah brother

[@tyruswatson2115]

I”m not much of a poet, but I’ve dabbled. The only poem that I remember that I’ve written was written on a nuclear powered submarine under the ice above the arctic circle. I think it was May 1st… The Polar Bear Cub So furry soft white and small I didn’t know I could run that fast Nor that the mother was so tall!

[@user-sh9pl1sx2m]

Tim mentioned 2:02 2 poets here, mary oliver i know, second is who? hafez? pls help me out tnx

[@eatingcleaner]

Also Kim Addonizio (Body and Soul). And Bukowski, of course, for accessibility.

[@gracefitzgerald2227]

Jeez this guy is Dr. Oz’s long lost twin.

[@ejt8573]

Marc Gadfi is the triplet

[@naturelover1284]

Kind of wish I had many more regrets because otherwise I'm just focused on the few I do have

[@mokshams.2504]

First here!

[@mohamedsps9254]

👍

[@NNAFL]

so you’ve come and so your heart searches for soul’s tender kisses protector, and lover of love man of venerability and equal peasantry as the rest simple in his own form of levity and ceaselessly childlike wanderlust words, words and evermore words calling forth your forgotten tears as a doting babe’s gaze or a winter’s warm embrace when you stepped off the plane what did you see and what did you hope in lands not to your taste your presence is felt as we unknowingly pass in the city that never sleeps where the lights are your stars from which delightfully unfold lost remnants of your dreams thoughts of enduring beauty you did not know were there a mind you’ve shared thusly and seek to gracefully lay bare

[@MICHAELMEREDITHSR]

Ah David to write & requite, of happenings upon a walk This is something i hope we never balk Pen to paper, or keyboard digitally struck This leaves proof, we give a f*ck Today Ginny-Girl & i were on a walk As it came to an end, there was a loud trill Junior 'munk, loudly chastised us Where are you my little friend? There finally, it was to be seen Up on a branch, of a magnificent fir 🌲tree🌲 I see you little one, we'll get out of your hair As we went in the cottage, it seemed to know For his loud calls subsided Was he letting us know, this 🌲tree🌲is his territory‽ 🙏🦉 🏞️

[@giovannipotenza123]

This guy just proves how useless and banal is modern prose poetry. Bla bla bla. Feelings feeling bla bla bla. Never even heard of this guy. Prose in prose out