Mindful Writing Project
Donation protected
MINDFUL WRITING PROJECT
« what I proposed : that writing was available to everyone, that it could be practiced, and that there wasn’t a special chosen few. »
Natalie Goldberg
WHAT?
This crowdfunding campaign warmly invites you to help create the very first year-long online "mindful writing" program, by co-funding the website and promotion tools needed to get the news out and allow as many people as possible to join and participate.
FOR WHOM?
1. The program develops the main pillars of Natalie Goldberg's "writing practice" method, which is a way of writing that not only incorporates key elements of zen meditation, but most of all, makes writing accessible to each and every human being, regardless of social, religious, political, racial and educational background.
As Natalie said:
"all of us have stories to tell" ... "writing is a path to meet ourselves and become intimate (...). It should be put forward in the Declaration of Independence, along with the other inalienable rights: "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness - and writing""!
Today, for instance, almost everyone supports the democratization of higher education. And yet, so many of our young adults imagine that somehow "writing" would not be part of their "nature"...
This writing method allows each and every person to experience and see for him/herself how, yes, of course, they too can learn how to write - and how to love writing!
2. On top of that, it's also a fabulous way to finally end all procrastination and "writer's blocks" for aspiring and published authors, precisely by studying - in a creative and kind way - how the writing mind works, so that writing can once again become the joy that it should be, instead of the activity of "lone suffering artists" ... or lifelong alcoholics ... or "dried up" academics in dusty libraries... :-)
How could this be possible? By learning how to rigorously separate the "creator" from the "editor" (or the "inner critic", as some mindfulness-based approaches call it).
As Natalie said:
"Meditation and writing practice are coincident. The more we understand the human mind, our basic writing tool, the better, more secure we can be in our writing".
BACKGROUND HISTORY
The year-long course, starting in March 2021, is the result of an 18 month pilot project with about 90 participants from all over the world and all professional backgrounds - from academics, physicians and nurses to young mothers going back to college, painters, filmmakers and retired men and women who finally have the time needed to start writing a memoir or novel.
As many of them have witnessed, even already before the global pandemic, this program has been "life-changing" and for some even "life-saving".
The main instructor of the course will be Anja Van Rompaey, a writer, published author and philosopher who has done years of research in the history of philosophy (at the French university in Brussels, Belgium), and who is a certified Trauma-sensitive meditation teacher. She has also been the facilitator of the 18 month "EU Writing Down The Bones" pilot project (named after Natalie Goldberg's book with the same title).
TESTIMONIALS
"After extensive planning and facilitating online writing practice sessions with Anja Van Rompaey, I hope to encourage anyone to join her. For people new to Natalie Goldberg's writing practice methods, Anja Van Rompaey will expose the basics and keep the vitality of those essential methods. She is a meticulous organizer with a huge heart open to all. She will guide you on a journey of both reading and writing practice based on Writing Down the Bones to ensure your confidence to dig down into your memories and feelings that you may not know you have.
Have you always wanted to write but never got the hang of it? Do you need a structure to continue writing? Then this is your chance!”
Sonja Lillvik, longtime Natalie Goldberg assistant and friend, author of The Painted Fish and other Mayan Feast, North Carolina, US / Yucatan, Mexico.
“Once we feel safe we can be insanely creative, truly compassionate, calm in turmoil, and collaborative. Writing with Anja’s group over the last 18 months has been an experience in safety, trust and listening unlike any other in my long academic and literary career. She provides such kindness, clear boundaries and consistent support that I have begun to find my own voice as a writer in an entirely new and moving way. Through the writing practice and reading together I have experienced the sublime tenderness of being heard and also of listening with total presence and no judgement. She has most gently shepherded a very diverse group of people into a collective of empowered, vulnerable, creative and thoughtful writers. If you ever have the chance to join one of her groups, I promise you, it will change your life, and probably your writing too!”
Kimberley Healey, PhD French Literature University of Pennsylvania, published author, teacher of writing and literature, US
SCHOLARSHIPS
The course will work with a Scholarship Fund, in order to allow those who wouldn't be able to pay the registration fee to nevertheless fully attend the program too.
All donations received after the $6500 or €5300 goal has been achieved, will go directly to the Scholarship Fund.
FUNDING DEADLINES
This crowdfunding campaign works with two crucial deadlines.
Only when these funding deadlines are met will it be possible to still start the course before the summer, whereas precisely because of social isolation, having the opportunity to connect with yourself and others has become more urgent than ever before.
1. The first 3500 USD/2850 EUR has to be raised by Monday January 4 at the very latest.
2. The second 3000 USD/2450 EUR has to arrive by February 3 at the very latest.
SIGNING UP FOR THE COURSE
If you would like to register for the course yourself, just send an email to [email redacted]. If the January 4th goal has been achieved, you will receive an email at the beginning of February which will contain a link to the website, where you can sign up.
CONCLUSION
Do you want to contribute to a world where more people have access to writing, and a world that is more mindful? Then PLEASE donate whatever you can - and/or share this campaign with as many people as possible!
In the name of all those who will benefit from this program in the future, thank you SO much for your support!!
As Natalie Goldberg wrote in the book "Writing Down The Bones":
"Believe me, you, too, can find your place inside the huge terrain of writing. No one is so odd as to be left out. Now, please, go. Write your asses off"
or ... donate to this campaign so that others at least can do so! :-)
« what I proposed : that writing was available to everyone, that it could be practiced, and that there wasn’t a special chosen few. »
Natalie Goldberg
WHAT?
This crowdfunding campaign warmly invites you to help create the very first year-long online "mindful writing" program, by co-funding the website and promotion tools needed to get the news out and allow as many people as possible to join and participate.
FOR WHOM?
1. The program develops the main pillars of Natalie Goldberg's "writing practice" method, which is a way of writing that not only incorporates key elements of zen meditation, but most of all, makes writing accessible to each and every human being, regardless of social, religious, political, racial and educational background.
As Natalie said:
"all of us have stories to tell" ... "writing is a path to meet ourselves and become intimate (...). It should be put forward in the Declaration of Independence, along with the other inalienable rights: "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness - and writing""!
Today, for instance, almost everyone supports the democratization of higher education. And yet, so many of our young adults imagine that somehow "writing" would not be part of their "nature"...
This writing method allows each and every person to experience and see for him/herself how, yes, of course, they too can learn how to write - and how to love writing!
2. On top of that, it's also a fabulous way to finally end all procrastination and "writer's blocks" for aspiring and published authors, precisely by studying - in a creative and kind way - how the writing mind works, so that writing can once again become the joy that it should be, instead of the activity of "lone suffering artists" ... or lifelong alcoholics ... or "dried up" academics in dusty libraries... :-)
How could this be possible? By learning how to rigorously separate the "creator" from the "editor" (or the "inner critic", as some mindfulness-based approaches call it).
As Natalie said:
"Meditation and writing practice are coincident. The more we understand the human mind, our basic writing tool, the better, more secure we can be in our writing".
BACKGROUND HISTORY
The year-long course, starting in March 2021, is the result of an 18 month pilot project with about 90 participants from all over the world and all professional backgrounds - from academics, physicians and nurses to young mothers going back to college, painters, filmmakers and retired men and women who finally have the time needed to start writing a memoir or novel.
As many of them have witnessed, even already before the global pandemic, this program has been "life-changing" and for some even "life-saving".
The main instructor of the course will be Anja Van Rompaey, a writer, published author and philosopher who has done years of research in the history of philosophy (at the French university in Brussels, Belgium), and who is a certified Trauma-sensitive meditation teacher. She has also been the facilitator of the 18 month "EU Writing Down The Bones" pilot project (named after Natalie Goldberg's book with the same title).
TESTIMONIALS
"After extensive planning and facilitating online writing practice sessions with Anja Van Rompaey, I hope to encourage anyone to join her. For people new to Natalie Goldberg's writing practice methods, Anja Van Rompaey will expose the basics and keep the vitality of those essential methods. She is a meticulous organizer with a huge heart open to all. She will guide you on a journey of both reading and writing practice based on Writing Down the Bones to ensure your confidence to dig down into your memories and feelings that you may not know you have.
Have you always wanted to write but never got the hang of it? Do you need a structure to continue writing? Then this is your chance!”
Sonja Lillvik, longtime Natalie Goldberg assistant and friend, author of The Painted Fish and other Mayan Feast, North Carolina, US / Yucatan, Mexico.
“Once we feel safe we can be insanely creative, truly compassionate, calm in turmoil, and collaborative. Writing with Anja’s group over the last 18 months has been an experience in safety, trust and listening unlike any other in my long academic and literary career. She provides such kindness, clear boundaries and consistent support that I have begun to find my own voice as a writer in an entirely new and moving way. Through the writing practice and reading together I have experienced the sublime tenderness of being heard and also of listening with total presence and no judgement. She has most gently shepherded a very diverse group of people into a collective of empowered, vulnerable, creative and thoughtful writers. If you ever have the chance to join one of her groups, I promise you, it will change your life, and probably your writing too!”
Kimberley Healey, PhD French Literature University of Pennsylvania, published author, teacher of writing and literature, US
SCHOLARSHIPS
The course will work with a Scholarship Fund, in order to allow those who wouldn't be able to pay the registration fee to nevertheless fully attend the program too.
All donations received after the $6500 or €5300 goal has been achieved, will go directly to the Scholarship Fund.
FUNDING DEADLINES
This crowdfunding campaign works with two crucial deadlines.
Only when these funding deadlines are met will it be possible to still start the course before the summer, whereas precisely because of social isolation, having the opportunity to connect with yourself and others has become more urgent than ever before.
1. The first 3500 USD/2850 EUR has to be raised by Monday January 4 at the very latest.
2. The second 3000 USD/2450 EUR has to arrive by February 3 at the very latest.
SIGNING UP FOR THE COURSE
If you would like to register for the course yourself, just send an email to [email redacted]. If the January 4th goal has been achieved, you will receive an email at the beginning of February which will contain a link to the website, where you can sign up.
CONCLUSION
Do you want to contribute to a world where more people have access to writing, and a world that is more mindful? Then PLEASE donate whatever you can - and/or share this campaign with as many people as possible!
In the name of all those who will benefit from this program in the future, thank you SO much for your support!!
As Natalie Goldberg wrote in the book "Writing Down The Bones":
"Believe me, you, too, can find your place inside the huge terrain of writing. No one is so odd as to be left out. Now, please, go. Write your asses off"
or ... donate to this campaign so that others at least can do so! :-)
Organizer
Anja Van Rompaey
Organizer
Watermael-Boitsfort, BRU