Meditation for Writers - Remote!

This class is an investigation into meditation and mindfulness practices designed especially for writers. Over the four weeks, we’ll explore the connections between meditation and creativity, with an emphasis on the ways that an on-going practice can develop our work. Meditation and mindfulness isn’t a turning away from the world, but a lively and energized engagement with it, one that can positively impact our writing, political advocacy, and life in general.

We'll begin with the foundations of Vipassana (also known as Mindfulness) meditation, and then explore: the difference between concentration and open awareness and how these can be applied throughout our day, some of the fascinating related science and psychology, how mindfulness can provide a container for writing difficult material, and the paradoxical way that meditation can “buy” us writing time, as well as have the opportunity to discuss our individual challenges in navigating the vicissitudes of the writing life.

Practices we’ll learn: Sitting meditation (silent breath, as well as breath counting), walking, eating and metta meditations, the body scan, and practices designed to heighten our senses. Writers will be invited to do daily meditation during the week and to do optional exercises linked to their current writing projects.

This class is open to all writers and meditators, whether new or experienced.

This class will be hosted using live Zoom meetings! You will be able to participate in class via Zoom videoconference from wherever you’re most comfortable. All you’ll need is a laptop or a phone! About 15 minutes before your class is scheduled to begin, you'll receive an email from your instructor with a link to join the class meeting via Zoom–no need to download anything or sign up for Zoom in advance! If you have questions about remote learning, please feel free to reach out to [email protected] for more information.

For a glimpse at how remote learning works, look no further than the deep Zoom discussion of writing and literature below:

Scholarship Information

Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.

For more more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.