Midlife and the Great Unknown: Finding Courage and Clarity Through Poetry Audio CD – Unabridged, June 1, 2003

David Whyte is the author and poet of the soul, of the deep searching place within and of the wondering being.He refers with such modesty to the incredible work of others, and for that you get to know of poets and poems that you weren't familiar with before or at least did not recognize them untill seeing them in light of what he refers to.Like a true teacher, he helps you to dare to do what you already had within you. Like a genuine guide, he leads you to the realms you had unconsciously and conveniently forgotten or overlooked.David Whyte's writings are very deep and beautiful. But,when he speaks his expressions, his words could be more touching if he did not repeat himself over and over.Somethings get imprinted in your mind (not heart) forever because you've heard them repeatedly but memorizing is different from feeling.It is like someone holding a flower in front of you and insisting upon your looking at it, it is like each time you turn your face away, they bring you back to the flower(over and over). Yes, you'd remember the flower, its color, dimensions, fragrance and so on. But maybe it is when you are just passing by the flower and you intuitively/unknowingly turn around to look back and see the flower again because you wanted to because something touched you , is the moment that you are naturally receptive to the flower.Of course it matters how someone speaks, what words s/he uses. how their tone of voice is, how and when they emphasize on a word, how they flow as they speak and how sincere they are. David Whyte is excellent on all the above. If only he would give space to his listeners to absorb what he just read/said at their own pace. Words touch different people in different ways.All that said, this audiotape is very rich. It fills your backpack with amazement and inspiration on your personal journey through the Great Unknown.

I wish the "midlife" reference were not in the title as it made me hesitate and delay trying this product for way too long. It is such an exquisite treat and so powerful in way more ways than I can convey through words. David Whyte's uniquely powerful delivery adds further punch to his great insights that reach ever deeper the more one listens. Thus I found it amazing the first time I listened and keep being blown away by finding it ever more powerful every time I listen. In addition to the content, the place David Whyte speaks from is itself profoundly impactful. At the time I ended up deciding to buy this product I had greatly lamented Amazon not selling David Whyte's "poetry of self-compassion" as I had adored that tape. Although I still regret not having yet been able to find it on CD as it is even more powerful yet, I am so glad that it ended up pushing me into giving this product a try as both are invaluable and well worth owning and repeatedly listening to over the years as special treats that get ever better over time.

David Whyte is worth listening to again and again. I never fail to learn something new when listening to this audiobook - which is better than the book I'm my opinion because he seems to read his material the way he meant it to be heard.I return to this book at certain times in my life and will find new meaning in the old and mundane and learn things that didn't catch my attention before.Because of David Whyte I have begun to memorize poety - not only his poetry but others he mentions like Rilke or Mary Oliver.The thing is that all of these new age or self development books have the same message when you get to the bottom of it all. You just have to find the one that speaks to your soul.

The perceptive and soul-wise ability Mr. Whyte has comes through brilliantly in this CD. I've given many copies away to friends. As we enter maturity, Mr. Whyte addresses a lot of subtle vicissitudes that arise in our unconscious, giving shape and form to the questions we now need to be asking ourselves as we enter the transition. His overall theme, of "A Beautiful Mind", drives this work, he emphasizes life as a work of art, and how that outer expressiong will change at different times as we grow. Living comfortably with the UnKnown is a deep lesson, a practice, a commitment; "Midlife" is a solid road map on uncovering and discovering the great wealth of landscape within.

I purchased this for my sister after listening to it myself. David Whyte is an incredible poet. He offers personal stories that not only engage the listener, but add greater meaning to the poetry he writes. He has an accent being from Wales that is very easy to listen to.

I bought this to listen to as we traveled through Scotland.(Seems like an odd plan, but I wanted to do some reflection on my own mid-life.) I LOVED it! David uses poetry in such a meaningful manner, and he's an excellent story-teller. I've listened to this many times since that trip, and each time I REALLY listen. I have to say that I am a little better for the listening.

Adore David Whyte's work, and this one does not disappoint. Have shared it with friends and family, but I'm always sure to have it returned. I listen to it in the car. Highly recommend!

Time well spent with the words, and in the world of Mr Whyte!Real, loving, and inspiring!

I took David Whyte off the shelf to be my companion on a 4 hour journey from Dublin to Donegal!I had no idea of how the conversation would unfold. I settled into the driving with a delicious coffee by my side and pressed "play"... What a wonderful companion David turned out to be! As is often the case with sharing a journey with a stranger, I discovered we had much in common... We've lived and loved the stunningly beautiful North Wales; we read Patrick Kavanagh and have an appreciation for other great Irish Poets now deceased... As I drove past the burial place of Yeats just north of Sligo, the synchronicity of David quoting him, made me gasp.... The one and only quote emerged at that very point in the journey - wow! I laughed out loud at his spoken sense of The Librarian and her "erotic" poem! The depth of reflection on time lived in North Wales resonated with my own time of studies at UCNW. David's felt sense of Ireland was lovely and his amazing, strong accent is a tonic of the best kind!Having entered into my own mid-life reflection as I headed towards Donegal, I was helped to mindfully deepen into my own wonderings and I felt totally accompanied in an entertaining and profoundly moving fashion by this beautiful man.So, if you have three hours and want to reflect on midlife and the joy of the unknown... Invest in this gorgeous resource and breathe into its delicious richness and velvety smoothness :-)

Poetry is healing. And David Whyte is a vocal healer. Love the poems and the voice. Thanks

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