John Siddique

John Siddique (born 1964) is best known as a British spiritual teacher, poet, and author. He is the founder of Authentic Living, through which he aims to encourage people from all walks of life awaken to what he calls their "true naturalness".

The Times of India calls him "Rebellious by nature, pure at heart". Siddique is not aligned with any particular religion, philosophy, or tradition. Known for his authenticity, humour, and "feet on the ground" wisdom, his work has quietly reached millions of people in many ways, through books, apps, downloads, broadcasting, retreats, classes and talks. He has published six books and had numerous pieces published all around the world. He has written for BBC national radio including programmes on Near-Death Experiences and The Cultural Impact of The Indian Partition.

Siddique is the Honorary Fellow in Creative Writing at Leicester University. He is the former Canterbury Laureate, and British Council Poet in Residence at California State University, Los Angeles. He has held a number of roles with the Royal Literary Fund (RLF), including being the RLF Fellow at York St. John University. Alongside his spiritual work, he currently serves as an Editorial Board Member for the RLF.

Born in the United Kingdom, Siddique initially had a difficult early life and rebelled against school and society. He later attended Manchester University as a mature student, gaining a master's degree in Literature. His study of meditation, yoga, and inner healing began at the age of fourteen, at first from books, then in the deep practical study of the great religions and practices, before setting all labels aside after a series of profound shifts in consciousness which included a near-death experience in 2014.

Personal life

The young Siddique immersed himself in the world of books through his local library. Before becoming a writer he drifted through various jobs such as being a roadie, a pipe-welder, and landscape gardener.[1] He first began writing in 1991 after reading James Joyce's Ulysses and discovering the poetry of e.e. cummings, Walt Whitman, and D.H. Lawrence.[2] Siddique has stated in interviews that he regards his true countries of birth to be "literature and language".[3]

Published works

Poetry

  • Full Blood (Salt, 2011)
  • Recital – An Almanac (Salt, 2009)
  • Blackpool - A Poet’s View (Blackpool Council, 2009)
  • Poems from a Northern Soul (Crocus, 2007)
  • Transparency (editor) (Crocus, 2006)
  • The Prize (Rialto, 2005)
  • The Devil's Lunchbox (Crocus, 1996)

Short stories

  • Four Fathers (co-author) (Route, 2007)

For children

  • Don’t Wear It On Your Head (Salt, 2010)

Selected anthologies

Prizes, awards and honours

  • Hawthornden Fellowship
  • Royal Literary Fund Fellow – York St. John University, 2013-15
  • Honorary Creative Writing Fellow at Leicester University
  • Arts Council of England Writer's Awards, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2011
  • Shortlisted for CPLE Poetry Award, 2007
  • Nomination for Best First Collection - Forward Prize, 2005
  • Nomination for Best Poem - Forward Prize, 2004

Residencies

  • Canterbury Poet Laureate 2016
  • Royal Literary Fund Fellow - York St. John 2013/15 & 2014/15
  • Manchester Literature Festival, 2010
  • Los Angeles for The British Council, 2009
  • Blackpool - Poet in Residence, 2008
  • Manchester Art Gallery, 2008
  • Fundacion Valparaiso, 2006
  • The Rainer Charity, Wigan, 2005
  • Commonword/BBC Manchester - Poet in Residence, 2005
  • Ilkley Literature Festival - Poet in Residence, 2004
  • HMYOI Wetherby - Writer in Residence, 2000–03
  • Ledbury Poetry Festival - Writer in Residence for Young People, 2000–03
  • The LOWRY - Poet in residence, 2000–01
  • Prestwich NHS Trust - Poet in Residence, 2000

References
  1. "Poetry International". Archived from the original on 27 July 2011.
  2. "The Rialto".
  3. "The London Magazine". Archived from the original on 9 February 2010.
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