Creativity in Contemplative Practice

Pathways to Presence; Poetry, Meditation, & Conversation

Begins: July 11th
Poems have a magical way of bringing us closer to our lives, giving us a new view, a deeper view, and a little more understanding of what makes us tick. Connecting with others over a poem, in meditation and conversation, offers new perspectives, inspires creativity, and is a balm for the spirit.

Drawing on poems from a variety of poets, each two-hour session includes reading poems together, meditation, and exploring how the poems connect us to ourselves, each other, and the wisdom of the Dharma. We'll also be joined by Gail Ford, writer, teacher, poet, and dharma practitioner to teach a bit on craft.

Everyone is welcome. No prior background in either meditation, poetry or writing is necessary. Just bring your curious mind and willing heart. The poems will be sent in advance of each session and there is no homework.

Date & Time
6 Friday Mornings
July 11th to August 15th
8:30 - 10:30am, Pacific
Online via Zoom

Class Fees:
$235 - $335, sliding scale
Offering fees above the base rate helps make Pacific Mindfulness programs more widely available. Thank you for your consideration.

Heidi Bourne is a meditation teacher in the Insight Meditation tradition and is the founder and guiding teacher of Pacific Mindfulness. She has been teaching since 2005 offering classes, series courses, nature retreats, trauma-informed/sensitive and resiliency-focused professional programs. Heidi is especially interested in the integration of the common sense, accessible and timeless teachings of awareness, ethics, and compassion into the complexity of our everyday lives. She is known for her grounded, down-to-earth humor and presence.

Heidi holds certification in mindfulness facilitation from UCLA, trauma resiliency from the Trauma Resource Institute, as well as Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness. She has a background in nursing and over 35 years in small business leadership.

Gail Ford is a poet and graduate of Stanford University. She has taught for The Writers Studio since 2012 and been the Director of the San Francisco Branch since 2019. Gail currently teaches the intermediate level class in fiction and poetry, and a class on personal essays. She loves writers, talking about writing, and happily welcomes new and continuing students looking for a supportive classroom environment where play and deepening craft abide.

Photos: personal, unsplash.com, Gail Ford
Photos: Unsplash, personal