Dear Readers,

As some of you know, I teach writing practice, a way of writing developed by Natalie Goldberg based on zen practice. In 2021 Natalie named me a dharma heir and I teach in her tradition after nearly twenty years of in-person retreats with her, serving as a teaching assistant in more than one of her online Shambhala courses, and attending online retreats with her.

In May 2021, at the request of some of Natalie’s online students, I formed an online writing practice group called the Monday AM Practice Group, named for my time slot in Pacific time. The Monday AM Practice group is still going: we will be starting our Spring Quarter on April 7, 2025. Spring dates are April 7, 14, 21, and 28, May 12 and 19, and June 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30. We meet on Zoom from 9:00 to 10:30 AM Pacific time.

We begin each class with ten minutes of silent zen-style meditation, returning to the root of writing practice. Then I provide writing topics and we write together and read aloud to each other.

One of the things about writing practice groups than other forms of writing groups is that we don’t comment on each other’s writing: we don’t voice our opinions or give feedback on what we hear read. Instead, we give the writer/reader infinite space to say what she/he/they need to say: our job is to listen, to witness what is said silently, to be as fully present as we can for the voice of the writer/reader.

Being in a group where there are no comments on your work can be disconcerting, but it frees you to say whatever you have to say without fear of others’ disapproval and it frees you to explore the content of your own mind.

The Monday AM Practice Group opens for new members at the beginning of each term and then closes to promote safety and cohesion. New members need to commit to attending each scheduled session for the duration of the term, unless you clear an absence with me in advance. This helps members of the group know that you will be present for them.

This group generally consists of somewhere between ten and twelve students, although there have been as many as eighteen in the past.

Spring Quarter 2025 is an 11-week quarter, offered for $275.00 USD, which works out to $25.00 per class period. In addition to class time you get a written summary each week of each class, which includes suggested homework assignments (generally five topic suggestions) and access to me for questions via email.

Payment can be made via PayPal (the easiest option for non-U.S. residents) or by personal check. You may pay for the entire quarter in a lump sum, or make three monthly payments. Payment for Spring Quarter will be due on April 1, 2025 by noon Pacific time. For those opting for the installment plan, your first payment of $100.00 USD will be due on April 1.

If you have questions for me, please use the comments field below. Thank you.