Gavril Nikolaev
Hi there! I’m Gavril, the guy behind this blog (click here to learn why I started it in the first place). If you like what I do and want to support me, this page is for you. Keeping this blog going takes almost all of my free time, and your help makes a significant difference. … Read more
In the midst of life’s chaos, we can always turn to nature as a source of resilience. Just as a mountain is not moved by the winds blowing over it, the ocean is not destroyed by the waves moving on its surface. In a similar way, no matter what we experience, some aspect of … Read more
As a poet and meditator, John Brehm believes that poetry can deepen our spiritual practice. Over the many years of teaching, he’s found a simple method of leading discussions that elicits lively engagement, leads to profound insights, and helps us live in the present moment. He begins by reading the poem aloud, or having … Read more
It’s impossible to overestimate the joy that a simple act of kindness can bring to someone else’s life. Just a smile from you can help someone else regain the composure they need to face the day ahead with new motivation and optimism. As a result, you can experience “the helper’s high,” a bounce-back effect … Read more
One of my favorite professors once said that it’s impossible to overinterpret a poem — a type of literary analysis called close reading. As I heard him say those words, I was taken aback with a matter-of-factly, arrogant naiveté of a complete beginner in poetry. To my defense, my reaction was far from uncommon … Read more