In this interview I am joined by John Brehm, American poet and author of ‘The Dharma of Poetry’.

John recalls his early life in Nebraska, formation as an unlikely poet, use of psychedelics, and discovery of the aesthetic impulse.

John reads ‘Non-Harming’, a poem from his latest book ‘Dharma Talk’, and reflects on the use of poetry for personal and religious edification, as well as the power of exposing one’s darker dimensions in verse.

John also discusses how to achieve profundity in poetry, the skilful use of language, why T.S. Eliot is so often criticised, and how to detect the unmistakable whiff of ego.

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep230-the-dharma-of-poetry-john-brehm


Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

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Topics include:

00:00 - Intro00:49 - A controversial poem 02:58 - Self awareness of one’s foibles 04:21 - How poets present themselves 04:56 - Ikkyu 05:21 - Making the sinful sacred 07:02 - Overly solemn poetry readings07:52 - John reads ‘Non Harming’10:05 - Reflections on the poem11:54 - Working class upbringing in Nebraska 13:04 - An unlikely poet14:46 - The poetic calling16:29 - Psychedelics 18:19 - Early poetic influences 20:06 - The art of seeing one’s local place24:42 - An aesthetic impulse 25:53 - How to relate to a poem27:46 - Aggressive approaches to poetry 29:09 - Nondual poetry practice 31:21 - How the high modernists made poetry elite 32:41 - Williams vs Eliot 34:08 - Anybody can enjoy poetry36:16 - Poetry as edification 39:57 - The unmistakable whiff of ego41:56 - The one who stops 45:41 - How to reach profundity in writing50:23 - How to craft effective language 53:32 - How to read a poem aloud55:34 - The role of memorisation

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To find out more about John Brehm, visit:- https://www.johnbrehmpoet.com/

…For more interviews, videos, and more visit:- www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James