Awaken Through Poetry – Free Class with Steve Taylor

Sometimes a moment of deep presence arrives without warning, and the world feels brighter and more intimate. In that kind of stillness, ordinary life can start to shimmer, as if something quiet inside you is finally paying attention.

Poetry has long been a simple way to meet those moments directly. Not as a performance or a craft you have to master, but as a few honest words that hold what you are actually sensing.

When you slow down enough to notice what is here, your inner world often becomes clearer. And as attention steadies, creativity can begin to move again, gently and naturally.

This is an invitation to reconnect with that felt sense of aliveness, and to let language become a doorway back into the present moment.

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Why Attend “Awaken Through Poetry”

There are times when life moves so fast that you miss your own experience. When attention is pulled into planning and commentary, the present moment can feel thin, and creativity can start to feel like something you have to push. This session is a way to slow down, so that what is already here can become vivid again.

Poetry offers a gentle bridge between inner stillness and honest expression. When the mind grows quieter, perception often opens, which means even simple scenes can feel meaningful and alive. Writing a few lines can help you recognize what you are noticing, and then stay close to it instead of rushing past.

In this hour, you will be guided into presence and invited to let language arise from direct experience. You may find that inspiration comes naturally when you are listening, so you do not have to force a creative mood or wait for the “right” moment. The result can be a steadier sense of connection, and a simple practice you can return to whenever you want to feel more awake to your life.

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What You’ll Learn During “Awaken Through Poetry”

Let’s begin by quieting the mental noise, so you can sense what is actually present. You will be guided into a simple meditation, which means you can settle your attention and notice life with more immediacy. You will not be asked to “perform” creativity; you will be invited to listen first.

As the mind relaxes, you will explore how spiritual awakening and creativity often move together, and then you will see why poetry can be such a natural expression of that shift. You will hear how moments of epiphany tend to bring gratitude, acceptance, compassion, and a sense of oneness, so that beauty can show up in places you may have overlooked. And you will consider how a few honest lines can help what you are discovering become clearer and more embodied.

You will also be introduced to haiku as a simple way to capture the essence of a moment, and then you can try writing one if you choose. This is not about technique or getting it “right,” which means beginners can relax and participate fully. By the end, you will have a grounded way to return to presence and translate it into words, so your daily life feels more vivid and connected.

Here’s just a little bit of what you’ll learn:

• Why poetry and spiritual insight have traveled together across history
• How quieting the mind can make perception feel more vivid
• What “suchness” means as a lived moment, not an idea
• Why creativity can be a natural expression of awakening
• How gratitude and compassion support a more open heart
• A gentle meditation to reduce mental commentary and return to presence
• How haiku captures a flash of direct experience in a few words
• Simple prompts to help words arise from what you are sensing
• Ways to integrate poetry as a steady practice in ordinary life

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Who Steve Taylor’s Spiritual Poetry Class Is For

This event is for anyone who senses there is more aliveness available in everyday moments. If you have been feeling mentally busy, emotionally flat, or creatively stuck, this is a gentle way to return to what is real right now.

It is also a supportive fit if you love spiritual teachings but want something simple and experiential. You can come with curiosity, and then let the practices meet you where you are, whether you write often or have not written a poem in years.

• People who want a practical way to cultivate presence
• Anyone curious about the link between awakening and creativity
• Writers and artists who want a quieter, truer source of inspiration
• Spiritual seekers who want grounded practices, not concepts
• Beginners who want to try poetry without pressure

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About Steve Taylor, PhD

Steve Taylor, PhD is an author, poet, and spiritual teacher who has spent more than two decades exploring the connection between psychology and spiritual awakening. His work brings a grounded clarity to the lived experience of presence, meaning, and inner transformation.

He is the author of many books on psychology and spirituality (published in 20 languages), along with four books of spiritual poetry, including his book Back to Stillness. He is also a senior lecturer in psychology at Leeds Beckett University, UK.

Steve has served as chair of the Transpersonal Psychology Section of the British Psychological Society. He also writes blog articles for Scientific American and for Psychology Today.

Eckhart Tolle has described Steve Taylor’s work as an important contribution to the global shift in consciousness. In this free event, Steve shares a simple, experiential approach to awakening through meditation, poetry, and direct attention to what is here.

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Reviews

“[Steve’s course has] had a lasting effect on my life.” Steve’s course was more than just one single adventure. It’s had a lasting effect on my life. Each morning when I get up, I feel grateful to be simply here, being a part of something greater than our mind can imagine. The exercises help deepen this new perspective on life, which is much wider. I feel that life is in a flow no matter how challenging it is. It’s great to have the meditations to connect each day to my deep inner being.
— Elisabeth

“Steve’s authentic, heartfelt persona directly points to our spiritual nature…” Steve’s authentic, heartfelt persona directly points to our spiritual nature in a down-to-earth, warm, generous, clear, and profoundly poetic manner. His course has allowed me to reflect, recognize, and grow. It has been a privilege to be part of the program.
— Phil

“Steve excelled in his teaching…” Being together and doing so many practical exercises during the course and the week after created a kind of energy and space to grow awareness and experience change for all of us during those weeks together. This was very helpful for me! Steve excelled in his teaching by naturally being as fully aware as possible while teaching! I think this is the best way for students to learn; by demonstrating what they are teaching.
— Odette

“Thanks to Dr. Steve Taylor for sharing an engaging, genuine, inspiring journey…” Thanks to Dr. Steve Taylor for sharing an engaging, genuine, inspiring journey with all the course members! A must attend opportunity, to connect with your wider Self.
— Francesco

“Steve Taylor’s work is an important contribution to the shift in consciousness…” Steve Taylor’s work is an important contribution to the shift in consciousness which is happening on our planet at present.
— Eckhart Tolle, World-renowned spiritual teacher and New York Times bestselling author

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Frequently Asked Questions

When and where does the event take place?

This free online event takes place on Saturday, April 18, at 10:00am Pacific Time (PT). When you register, you will receive access details by email, and you can also stream the final replay presentation on Tuesday, April 21, at 12:00pm Pacific Time (PT).

Who is Steve Taylor, PhD?

Steve Taylor, PhD is an author, poet, and spiritual teacher, and a senior lecturer in psychology at Leeds Beckett University (UK). He has written widely on psychology and spiritual awakening, including books of spiritual poetry and his work Back to Stillness.

What will I learn during this event?

You will explore why poetry and spiritual insight often travel together, how a quieter mind can make life feel more vivid, and how creativity can arise naturally from moments of presence. You will also be introduced to haiku and invited to distill a moment of direct experience into a few honest lines.

What if I can’t attend live?

No problem. When you register, you will receive access details and replay information, so you can watch the recording if you cannot attend the live session.

How long is the event?

Approximately 60 minutes.

Do I need any special equipment to participate?

No special equipment is required. A reliable internet connection and a device with speakers or headphones is all you need, and having a quiet space can help you focus.

Who is hosting the event?

This event is presented by The Shift Network. After you register, you will receive all the access details and reminders by email.

Is this event suitable for beginners?

Yes. This experience is designed to be simple and accessible, whether you are new to meditation, new to poetry, or simply curious about how presence and creativity connect.

Is this event religious?

No. The session is non-religious and welcomes people of all backgrounds and beliefs.

Will there be an opportunity to go deeper after the event?

Yes. During the event, you will also hear about Steve’s upcoming 7-week live course for those who feel called to continue with more poems, meditation, and writing invitations.

What can I expect to feel during the event?

Many people notice more stillness, warmth, and clarity as attention settles. You may also feel more emotionally connected to the moment, with a sense of meaning or quiet joy.

Can I share this event with friends?

Yes. If you know someone who would appreciate a grounded approach to presence, creativity, and spiritual insight, feel free to share the registration link.

Is this event really free?

Yes. Registration is free, and you will receive event access details and reminders after you sign up. If you decide to join a paid program afterward, tuition details will be shared separately.

Do I need to be a poet to participate?

No. This event treats poetry as a simple expression of lived experience, not a technical skill. If you can notice a moment and describe it honestly, you can participate.

What is a haiku, and why are we using it?

A haiku is a brief poetic form originally designed to capture a flash of direct experience. In this event, it is used as a simple container, so you can distill what you are sensing into a few clear words without overthinking.

Will we do a guided meditation?

Yes. Steve will guide you through a meditation designed to quiet mental commentary, so your experience of life can feel more immediate and vivid.

Do I have to write during the event?

No. Writing is an invitation, not a requirement. You can simply listen, follow the meditation, and take in the teaching, and then write later if you prefer.

What if I don’t feel creative?

That is common, especially when life has been busy or stressful. The approach in this session is to start with presence, because creativity often returns naturally when the mind softens and perception opens.

Can I use this practice in daily life afterward?

Yes. You will leave with a simple way to pause, notice what is here, and shape it into a few honest lines. Many people find that this becomes a practical practice for returning to stillness and meaning in ordinary moments.

What should I have ready before we begin?

If you want to write, have a notebook and pen nearby, or a notes app open. You may also want water or tea, and a quiet space where you can listen without rushing.

What if strong emotions come up?

Sometimes stillness makes feelings more noticeable, and that can be part of the opening. Go gently, take a pause when you need to, and care for your nervous system with slow breathing, stepping away briefly, or reaching out for support if something feels overwhelming.

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