I hope you are well. If you live in the northern hemisphere like me, you will be witnessing the onset of winter. Winter is a time for retreat and contemplation, to rest and regenerate, to turn into ourselves and reconnect, a time to step back and prepare to begin anew. It’s just struck me that the words ‘rest’ and ‘reset’ are so similar…A rest always leads to a re-set.  

Like nature, after the rest and reset of winter, we return to life in spring, refreshed with new vitality. After the retreat and contemplation of winter, our spirits burst forth with optimism and creativity. (I’ll include a poem on this theme at the end of the newsletter.)  

Back to Stillness

It has been wonderful to welcome my new book of poetry Back to Stillness into the world. I held an online launch two weeks ago and I enjoyed reading some of the poems aloud to audience of the first time. If you haven’t ordered a copy of the book yet, the link is here:

If you have already read the book and enjoyed it, perhaps you would be kind enough to leave a rating a review at the place where you bought it, which attracts new readers. I’m considering releasing an audio version of the book, but it partly depends on the demand, as it would involve some cost. To help me ascertain if it’s viable, perhaps you could let me know if you would like to order an audio version of the book (with me reading). 

                    Back to Stillness Course

In the new year, I am leading a six-week online course based on the book, starting on January 11th. We will explore spiritual awakening through poetry and meditations. In each session, I will read some spiritual poems and lead meditations, exercises and discussions based on the poems. Each session will be based on a particular theme, such as space, presence and oneness. Participants will also be guided and encouraged to create their own poetry (although this is optional of course) and will connect with each other through small group sessions. The course takes place on zoom and will be recorded if you can’t make the actual time. Details here

                            Signed Copies 

I have signed copies of Back to Stillness available. In the UK, they are £15 (including postage and packaging). Elsewhere, they are more expensive, due to postage costs. For the US, the cost is $25, for Europe, it’s E23. If you’re interested, simply reply to this mail, or write to me at [email protected] and let me know who you would like me to sign the book for. (It would be a great Christmas present!). 

(I also have some signed copies of Time Expansion Experiences too. Enquire with me if you’re interested in those.) 

              Interviews and New Articles 

I’ve just done an interview with the wonderful ‘Yoga Hour’ podcast about my poetry, mainly about The Calm Center but also touching on Back to Stillness. It features me reading several poems. You can listen here

              Facebook and Instagram

If you used to follow me on Facebook, maybe you noticed that I seemed to disappear for a few months. My account was hacked and disabled, and it didn’t seem possible to recover it. In the end, I quite enjoyed not using Facebook for six months. But now I’ve started a new account which you can follow here

I also have an Instagram account where I regularly post new poems as reels here 

Winter

But as each winter approaches, I feel slight trepidation.

A doubting old inner voice asks,

“How will you cope with the freezing mornings

and the long dark nights?

How will you stay cheerful

while struggling to keep warm and dry?

How will you keep your inner peace

while battling against the elements?”

But I have lived through many winters

and always found the strength to survive.

And even more, when I look back over my many winters

I see that I’ve grown stronger, year by year.

The more severe the winter, the more I grew.

As temperatures plummeted further

and ice grew thicker and harder

I searched deeper inside myself

and discovered more resilience.

And even more, when I look back over my many winters

I remember the deep inner radiance

that arose in the coldest times

when I was broken down to my core.

I remember the joyful liberation

that arose when I gave up hope

and turned to face the darkness.

And so the doubting voice quickly fades.

I am ready to embrace the winter.

I accept the darkness and cold

knowing they will bring inner light and warmth.

I have lived through many winters

and flourished through them all.

 All best wishes and blessings, Steve