Esalen Institute is open! However, Highway 1 to the south is closed — please review the current travel advisory.
Learn More.

Learn more.

Due to road closures along Highway 1 to our north and south, Esalen is closed through April 11.
Esalen Institute is open! However, Highway 1 to the south is closed — please review the current travel advisory.
past workshop

Writing and Mindfulness: How a Mindfulness Practice Can Make You a Better Writer

February 14–18, 2022

with Janis Cooke Newman

We know that a consistent meditation practice lowers stress, improves health, strengthens relationships, and increases happiness. But did you know that cultivating mindfulness can also make you a more creative and skillful writer?

This combination writing and meditation workshop invites writers and meditators of all levels to delve deeply into both practices. Throughout the workshop, we will practice together in a number of ways to encourage your own work and practice to flourish. We’ll engage in…

  • Daily guided meditations that nourish creativity by encouraging you to be present to experience, establish a strong mind-body connection, and access emotion and empathy — all important tools for writing.
  • Daily bursts of free writing that give you an opportunity to tap into your creative energy — without judgment — so you can do your most original and authentic writing.

Both practices will be supported by discussions of writing craft to help you master the technical aspects of story-telling.

Each day, we will set aside time to share our work in a safe and supportive environment. As a special bonus, on Thursday evening we will invite the entire Esalen Community to a Public Reading. If you are interested in sharing your work, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up during the program.

By the end of the workshop, everyone will have acquired the tools necessary to develop a daily meditation AND a daily writing practice (and make them stick!). You’ll also receive a free month’s membership in the online daily writing community Creative Caffeine Daily.

Janis Cooke Newman

Janis Cooke Newman is the author of two award-winning novels, and a memoir. She has taught writing and mindfulness workshops at Esalen and for the San Francisco Zen Center. She is a long-time practitioner of Zen.

Full Bio