Poetry as Spiritual Practice

Reading, Writing, and Using Poetry in Your Daily Rituals, Aspirations, and Intentions

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Just as Writing Down the Bones was the first book to teach writing as spiritual practice, Poetry as Spiritual Practice is the first instructional guide to combine poetry and spirituality in an innovative program that, in its elegant, small-format edition, will also become a beloved inspirational companion.

Even in collections of religious poetry, little has been said about how and why poetry is the source language of devotion and the richest expression of spiritual practice in prayer, chant, and song. Now, however, Poetry as Spiritual Practice invites readers to recognize poetry as the “the pure sound and shape of their spirit.” Like the popular 10 Poems to Change Your Life, this beautiful book gives readers the tools to help them explore poetry’s sound and language, its rhythms, meters, and forms, in a reflective writing and reading process that leads to deeper awareness and daily enjoyment.

Popular workshop leader and author of three books of poetry, McDowell illustrates his teachings with excerpts from a wide range of well-known poems-good and bad-as well as his own and his students’ work to make this a treasury of poetry with deep, abiding messages from all historical eras and all religions and faiths. Interactive exercises and guided meditations help readers put the methods and messages into practice by integrating poetry into their daily path and spiritual journey.

Poetry as Spiritual Practice will benefit all seekers as it deepens and expands their ongoing inquiry into the most profound mysteries.

Robert McDowell‘s poems, stories, essays, and reviews have appeared in hundreds of magazines and anthologies here and abroad, including Best American Poetry, Poetry, The New Criterion, Sewanee Review, and The Hudson Review. He also offers one-on-one mentoring and coaching for businesses and groups interested in improving their spiritual awareness, listening, communication, writing, and presentation skills.