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  • Midlife and the Great Unknown

  • By: David Whyte
  • Narrated by: David Whyte
  • Length: 2 hrs and 32 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (116 ratings)
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Midlife and the Great Unknown

By: David Whyte
Narrated by: David Whyte
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Summary

"In the middle of the road of my life I awoke in a dark wood, where the true way was wholly lost."

When you find yourself suddenly without bearings, as Dante Alighieri voiced so well centuries ago, where will you look for guidance? Throughout the ages, teaches David Whyte, the language of poetry has held a special power to hazard ourselves boldly at the "fierce edges" of our lives.

On Midlife and the Great Unknown, you will engage with poetic imagination as it was meant to be experienced: as your companion and guide for the challenging terrain of midlife. Join this Yorkshire-born poet and bestselling author to explore:

  • "Radical simplification": an invitation to sit in silent reflection and observation
  • Using your poetic imagination to navigate life's cycles of loss and joy
  • Honoring who you are right now, including your skills and limitations, and more

    The language of poetry can "emancipate" you into the next phase of your existence, teaches David Whyte. It can help you break through obstacles and give you courage to take necessary risks. Drawing from the wisdom of fellow poets Rainer Maria Rilke, Emily Dickinson, and Seamus Heaney, Whyte invites you to boldly engage in a conversation with the second half of your life on Midlife and the Great Unknown.

  • ©2003 David Whyte (P)2008 Sounds True

    What listeners say about Midlife and the Great Unknown

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    Disappointing

    David Whyte is amazing and what he has to say is wonderful. Unfortunately the content of this book is word for word included in Clear Mind Wild Heart which I have already purchased and enjoyed very much. I will be returning this for a refund. It would help to make this clear before purchase.

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    6 people found this helpful

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    Listen twice

    Take the time to listen at least twice, first to enjoy the voice and get your bearings, then to absorb the poems and get to the marrow of of it. It won’t disappoint.

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    1 person found this helpful

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    Life changing

    I listen to this book over and over and over, without tiring of it, each time learning a new way of being or altering my perspective on life. I recommend it to everyone I know and will continue to do so. I am so grateful to my dear friend who shared it with me and to Mr Whyte for the authoring such beautiful, life-changing poetry and prose.

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    Wow.

    Wow. Now I get poetry. Deep nourishment. Thank you so much for writing this. Have started to read a few lines a day, as suggested.

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    harvesting the ripened fruits

    love David's deep contemplations and reverence to the interior landscape whilst holding a staff beacon to the invisible.

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    Outstanding!

    Whyte is a gem, a rare reminder of the potentials and depths of the human psyche.

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    Useful

    Not what I expected to say. Nevertheless true. This reading reaches into dilemmas and experience allowing me to still make my own connections… make my own connections. Thank you David Whyte, starting again. Forth time around.

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    Outstanding…

    Cuts through the essence of life and living. Thank you David for sharing your “In Sights” which I very much enjoyed. Sean

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    Wonderful

    Life affirming book, bringing life's elements back into perspective. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, no matter what frontier you are at in your life.

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    Wonderful communicator

    The most wonderful ability to collect the un described elements of living a good life. Gives courage to trust curiosity as a journey. To doubt, to listen, even be still and the hazel twig may show us we become a conduit to discovery.

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