Jon Kabat-Zinn defines mindfulness as “the awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally, to the unfolding of experience moment to moment.” The relationship between mindfulness and writing is bi-directional; writing exercises can cultivate mindfulness and presence, and mindfulness techniques can be used to support a writing practice by developing helpful mental habits, overcoming writers’ block, encouraging creativity, and facilitating fruitful self-discovery.

In this one-day workshop, we will discuss ways in which mindfulness principles can be brought to bear on each stage of the writing process—drafting, revising, editing, and even proofreading. The bulk of the workshop will be dedicated to experimenting with mindfulness practices that facilitate self-discovery and creativity. We’ll bring mindfulness practices to bear on Adrienne Rich’s poem “Diving Into the Wreck” and Hélène Cixous’ concept of “the three steps on the ladder of writing,” and take a deep dive into our own inner worlds to discover how courageously befriending ourselves and cultivating a state of awareness can transform our relationship to the writing process and to our own creativity.