Someone once said that another word for Love is Presence. What does it look like to be fully present to both loved ones and strangers, and to ourselves? Can we give this attention to our writing, and use writing itself to better understand being awake to our lives? We have many claims to our attention today, perhaps most by our devices and other technologies. Here we will stop and create space for the undivided attention of our presence. Instead of giving it away thoughtlessly, we will bring it back and hold it in the cup of our present moment breath. And in such a mindful space, write.

Students can expect to explore principles of mindfulness and try them out. Using guided meditations and opportunities for writing we will give that other word for love to ourselves, our world, and everything the present moment holds for us. This workshop will include readings and discussion, and opportunities for students to share what they write with fellow participants. All writing skill levels are welcome, and you do not need experience with meditation. Students will come away from this workshop with new work begun, and tools to use for more mindful living and writing.

In this class, students will:
-explore and understand what mindfulness is and the importance of presence
-create a space in the workshop for mindful attention
-use writing to better understand mindfulness and make our writing more awake
-through short readings, group discussions, and writing prompts, students will aim to get closer to a renewed sense of permission and self-trust and creative flow
-start new work that students can continue after the workshop