Notes from the Road, Free Class and New Circles
I just returned from Paradise Island in the Bahamas teaching "Writing as a Spiritual Practice" at the Sivananda Ashram. That sheen you see in the picture above is what 80% humidity looks like. It was exhilarating, sometimes tiring, and always fulfilling. The vibes were full of sweetness and love. The food was vegan and delicious. I taught writing classes during the day and gave talks in the evening following a silent meditation and kirtan (which felt like I was in synagogue except chanting in Sanskrit instead of Hebrew). I'm still processing it all, but I know this: I love teaching and I love this topic.
Just a few bits of news: I will be offering a...
FREE CLASS: Wednesday, September 25th, 5:30 to 6:30 PM PT
If we haven’t written together before (and even if we have), I invite you to my free one hour Women’s Writing Circle. In this short time, you will get a feel for this practice and know if it speaks to you. We will write together to several poems and if you are moved to share your writing, the circle will listen with open arms— without feedback or comments. In this practice, we’re not trying to improve, we simply express our truth. The space we create is one of safety, acceptance and warmth.
Advanced register is required to access the Zoom link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpd-6urDgtHNxmrG7x-U3UM9iwQ9yhlvH7
and a ...
NEW eight-week Women’s Writing Zoom Circles begin Wednesday, October 2, 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM PT
(In-person classes are sold out)
Since I began teaching last Fall, I have had the privilege to write with dozens of wonderful women, each walking their own path, each journeying to find their true voice, all supporting each other in a circle of deep listening.
In Women’s Writing Circles, we use a line of poetry as a prompt and away we gallop, writing quickly and steadily for between 10 to 15 minutes. This practice is both simple and powerful, helping us bypass our inner critic, find our authentic voice and write our truth. Our stories matters.
More info: . Cost: $360 for eight week series (Ending November 20th). If you are interested and haven’t written with me previously, let’s talk first. If you are experiencing financial challenges, please reach out. If you have questions, I’m here!
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47 days until the election! Let's keep working hard every day to create the kind of world we want to live in and leave to our great, great grandchildren. I do not think it's an overstatement to say this is the most important election in our lifetime.
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I sign off with a poem I used in one of my classes in the Bahamas, and one I deeply love for its generosity...
Keep Going by Bhikshuni Vijaya
When everyone else was meditating, I’d be outside circling the hall.
Finally, I went to confess. I’m hopeless, I said.
The elder nun smiled. Just keep going, she said.
Nothing stays in orbit forever.
If this circling is all you have, why not make this circling your home?
I did as she told me, and went on circling the hall.
If you find yourself partly in and partly out—
if you find yourself drawn to this Path and also drawing away—
I can assure you, you’re in good company.
Just keep going.
Sometimes the most direct path is not a straight line.