John Siddique

John Siddique (born July 1964) is best known as a 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".

John Siddique
BornJuly 1964 (age 58–59)
UK
EducationManchester University
Occupation(s)Spiritual teacher, poet and author
Websitewww.authenticliving.life

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. He has to date published eight books. His teachings and writings have featured in Time Magazine, The Guardian, Granta, on CNN and the BBC. The Times of India calls him "Rebellious by nature, pure at heart." The Spectator magazine describes him as "A stellar British poet." New York Times correspondent Bina Shah says Siddique is "One of the best poets of our generation." Former Scottish Poet Laureate Jackie Kay speaks of Siddique's writing as being "A brilliant balancing act."

Siddique is the Honorary Fellow in Creative Writing at Leicester University. He is the former Laureate of the British city of Canterbury, and British Council Poet in Residence at California State University, Los Angeles. Over the years, he has held a number of roles with the Royal Literary Fund (RLF), including being the RLF Fellow at York St. John University.[1] Alongside his spiritual work, he is a commissioning editor for the Royal Literary Fund's WritersMosaic initiative.[2][3]

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 studies of meditation, yoga and inner healing began at the age of thirteen, 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.[4] 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.[5] Siddique has stated in interviews that he regards his true countries of birth to be "literature and language".[6]

Published works

Non-Fiction

  • Signposts of The Spiritual Journey (Watkins Publishing, 2021) ISBN 978-1786785176

Poetry

  • So – Selected New Poems 2011–21 (Crocus, 2022)
  • Full Blood (Salt Publishing, 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

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. "John Siddique". Royal Literary Fund | Fellows. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  2. "Writers Mosaic".
  3. "Team members". Writers Mosaic. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  4. "Poetry International". Archived from the original on 27 July 2011.
  5. "The Rialto".
  6. "The London Magazine". Archived from the original on 9 February 2010.
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