The Phenomenology of Nondual Awareness:

Philosophy for Poets, Poetry for Philosophers

In ancient times, before the advent of the written word, literature was memorized and recited in poetic measure in a bardic tradition thousands of years old. When writing first entered human history about five thousand years ago the myths, legends and sacred texts were written in poetic stanzas. Then, gradually over time prose slowly replaced poetry. The Presocratic philosopher Parmenides still wrote in verse but by Plato’s time philosophy was written in prose. When poetry was the means of expression for philosophy, the philosophers were all poets. This book brings poetry and philosophy back together, giving philosophy poetic expression and making poetry philosophical.

Sample Poem

make your peace with the universe
no need to be afraid or despair
bow to the laws of the universe
not to those of the state
the million-formed never-motionless flame of life
affords all you need
some find comfort in denominations and creeds
the morning sun rising in the dawn
is glory enough for me
there is a great sea of energy
out of which all things arise and dissolve
and when this life ends
as it must
the matter of this body
will never be lost
ever-changing and ever-moving
it will be part and parcel of this world
and when Father Sun explodes
and consumes this earth
this substance will carry on
in a cosmic dance
I am one with the infinite
and need no other assurance