"Universal Creativity, flow through me...from my heart through my mind to my hand. Infuse my work with Spirit to feed hungry souls." ~ Alex Grey
The experience of ecstatic poetry, like that of any other visionary art, has profoundly-transformative potential. Its power lies within its capacity to connect us to our essence, to show us that we can access our own Source the same way a lightning rod harnesses the energy of electricity during a lightning storm. Ecstatic poetry is a practice of transformation through the power of essence-driven Word.
On this page, you are invited to experience the journey of ecstatic poetry through the lens of Brandon Thompson, who is but one poet-practitioner in this vast and sacred wilderness of words.
The Practice and Path of Ecstatic Poetry
Scholar and teacher Brandon Thompson explores the mystical practice of ecstatic poetry, beginning with its history and culminating with a lucid definition fo...
In this full lecture, Brandon explores the practice of ecstatic poetry, beginning with a journey into the history of ecstatic verse and culminating with a comprehensive definition for this profound visionary art.
Offerings from "The Long Road Home"
Brandon offers a sample of the ecstatic poetry from his first book, "The Long Road Home"
A trio of Brandon's favorite poems from his first book, The Long Road Home: A Collection of Poems from an Open Heart.
"a thousand mindless conversations about
'what it must be like'
none of these are real
i want to let go"
Brandon shares his poem "Hymn to Misery," and a bit about its significance as a practice-oriented piece of ecstatic poetry.
"suffering opens the eyes
misery burns away selfishness
agony
can make the fool's heart wise"
Brandon reads a favorite poem from "The Long Road Home"
Offerings from "From the Back of a Thirsty Camel"
Brandon shares two poems from his second book, From the Back of a Thirsty Camel: Ecstatic Longings.
"the time has come to speak of love
but when whispers of the beloved beg to be spoken
only silence escapes my lips"
Brandon offers a sample of the ecstatic poetry from his second book, "From the Back of a Thirsty Camel."
Brandon shares a special reading of a poem called "Invocation," the opening poem in "From the Back of a Thirsty Camel."
In this special reading, Brandon shares the opening poem from Thirsty Camel. As the book begins, this piece invokes the power of prayer on this path of poetry-as-devotion.
"in silence now, on bended knee,
i offer up my sword
that you might hone and forge my heart
i sing my prayer to Word"
Brandon shares a selection of poems from "Quantum Self," one of the sections in "From the Back of a Thirsty Camel."
Brandon explores the idea of "Quantum Self," one of the six sections found in Thirsty Camel, and then shares a few of his favorites.
"look at the place behind your thoughts
and see that there is no distance
between Self
and the cosmos"
Brandon discusses a section called "The Riddle" from his second book, "From the Back of a Thirsty Camel." He speaks about his longing to solve the riddle of ecstatic poetry and offers his thoughts on the transformative power of poetry practice.
Brandon discusses a section from Thirsty Camel called "The Riddle." He speaks about his longing to solve the riddle of ecstatic poetry and offers his thoughts on the transformative power of poetry practice.
"a poem is a riddle
that knows you have its answer
be still, and God will whisper the truth
into your ear"
On one of the hottest days of summer, Brandon travels to a local sacred site to share a few selections from "Dharma on Fire," one of the six sections in Thirsty Camel.
"what's so bad about being a seeker?
i'll take my longings and glimpses of God any day
over the concreted mind
that has it all figured out"
On one of the hottest days of summer, Brandon travels to a local sacred site to share a few selections from "Dharma on Fire," one of the six sections in "From the Back of a Thirsty Camel."
Brandon shares from "The Time has Come to Speak of Love," one of the six sections in "Thirsty Camel," and explores its emotional and spiritual significance along his path as an ecstatic poet.
Brandon shares from "The Time Has Come to Speak of Love," one of the six sections in Thirsty Camel, and explores its emotional and spiritual significance along his path as an ecstatic poet.
"if your hands are still stuffed half-deep
into your hot bag of peanuts,
you may think that i've turned my back on love
but really, i'm just leaving the circus"
Brandon discusses the power of intention in this exploration of "Personal Prophecies," a section from Thirsty Camel that represents personal transformation and manifestation.
"what is the cost of longing?
it depends on what you do when you feel its pull
but should you choose to ignore it completely
you will risk missing the voyage that could bring you home"
Brandon discusses the power of personal intention and manifestation in this exploration of "Personal Prophecies," the first section in his second book, "From the Back of a Thirsty Camel."
The final section in "From the Back of a Thirsty Camel" is a selection of poems called "A Breath Ageless." In this video, Brandon invites us into the world of ecstatic love poetry: words of love written as an expression of the Divine.
The final section in Thirsty Camel is a collection of poems called "A Breath Ageless." In this video, Brandon invites us into the world of ecstatic love poetry: words of love written as an expression of the Divine.
"an entire Universe from birth to death
is like one breath in the eyes of God
and there you were, in my arms,
breathing the fire of the moment"
Offerings from “This is Not My Kingdom”
Other Pieces of the Path...
The Ecstatic Poetry Video Series
The EPVS is now in its second season!! In this ongoing journey into the heart of ecstatic poetry, Brandon shares the poems that move him most deeply; poems from a multitude of ecstatic writers throughout human history. Look for new poems uploaded regularly.
All of the videos are available right here on the website in the adjacent pane, or click here to view the series on YouTube.
Brandon Thompson is a poet, scholar, musician, lover of music, and a Buddhist practitioner and teacher. He published two books of poetry: The Long Road Home: A Collection of Poems from an Open Heart and From the Back of a Thirsty Camel. He regularly facilitates ecstatic poetry workshops across the United States.
Author Reading from Berea Book Fest 2016
Brandon shares a few readings from his first two books, The Long Road Home and From the Back of a Thirsty Camel, at Berea Book Fest in April 2016. In between readings, he shares a bit of his journey and the stories behind his art.
Author Reading from Berea Book Fest 2017
Brandon brings ecstatic poetry back to Berea Book Fest for a second year. This time, the deeper work that he's been doing has begun to take shape. Brandon shares a bit about the history of ecstatic poetry along with some poems from early writers, and finishes with a few favorites from his newest works.
The Madison County Public Library and the Berea Writers Circle was proud to present the third annual Berea Book Fest. Visitors were able to talk with Central Kentucky authors and poets. Brandon Thompson is a poet, a scholar, a musician and a lover of music, and a Buddhist practitioner and teacher.