Straight from the Studies
The Beauty of “The Quest for Meaning in Poetry with Charles Upton”
Summer’s heat invites a slower pace, where reflection and quiet creativity can flourish. In these warm, lingering afternoons, the works and thoughts of Charles Upton, poet, metaphysician, seeker, offer a gentle companion. If you’re passionate about poetry and the deeper questions of existence, this conversation from the New Thinking Allowed Foundation podcast is a true gem. Hosted by the thoughtful and ever-curious Jeffrey Mishlove, New Thinking Allowed explores the leading edge of knowledge and discovery through intimate, in-depth dialogues. In this beautifully insightful interview, Charles Upton invites us to reflect on the profound role poetry plays in shaping meaning, sound, and imagery in our lives. Upton began his poetic journey early, with his first books published in the late 1960s making him the youngest member of the legendary “beat generation.” This episode stands out for its honest meditation on the meaning of poetry itself. Upton explores the three essential functions of poetry: meaning, sound, and imagery. He speaks candidly about the challenges poets face, the “downfall” of modern poetry, and the sad tendency for poets to burn too brightly and die young. More than an interview, this is an invitation to see poetry as a living, breathing force, a bridge between the ordinary and the sacred. Upton’s reflections remind us that poetry needs an audience, but most of all, it needs seekers of wisdom willing to let meaning find them. For a glimpse into his world of poetry, mysticism, and insight, visit charles-upton.com
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