CONTEMPLATIVE WRITING ANNOUNCEMENTS

We have started a new session. For those of you on waiting lists, I will keep you posted as the holidays end and we head into January. First week of classes will be January 5th, and the price per 8 week session will be 125$ as of January 1, 2009. Financial aid, as always, will be available.

Now for some related announcements...

1. January weekend retreat in Black Earth (Save the date: Jan 10-11)
2. Miksang show (until 10/31)
3. Nanowrimo - National Novel Writing Month (all of November)
4. Level 1 - Art of Being Human meditation program Nov 7-8
5. Restorative Yoga Nov 16
6. Amy Tan link


1. January weekend retreat in Black Earth
I have reserved the Aldo Leopold Center in Black Earth WI for a weekend winter writing retreat (let's pray for good driving weather). I am very excited about this space and for us to be able to get away and snuggle in together over the winter. The dates are Saturday and Sunday, January 10-11. There will be about 15 spots and price will be in the 100-150$ range (I need to work out the specifics but there will be financial aid, too). This serves as a "save the date" - please let me know if you would think you'd like to come and I can add you to a list. More info soon.

2. Miksang show
Still up until the end of the month at Mildred's Sandwich Shop (good soups, too!) - E. Johnson and N. Paterson St.

3. Nanowrimo
November is National Novel Writing Month. Join my student, Steph Durnford (stephdurnford@yahoo.com) and thousands across the nation (www.nanowrimo) in writing a 50,000 word novel in one month!

4. Level 1 - Art of Being Human
The Shambhala Center, where I teach most of my classes, is having a really good introductory meditation class in a couple of weeks. Check out this page for more info or to register
http://www.madison.shambhala.org/program_details.php?id=16883&cid=226

SHAMBHALA TRAINING Level I The Art of Being Human
November 7 / 6:30 PM - November 8 / 6:00 PM
Price: $50
Friday, November 7, 6:30 pm register; 7-9 pm program; Saturday, November 8, 9 am - 6 pm) Level I is a meditation workshop that focuses on discovering basic goodness in the world and in ourselves, and is the first contemplative workshop in the Shambhala Training series. It is suited for beginning and experienced meditators. The workshop includes meditation instruction, discussions, talks, and meditation practice. This secular path of mindfulness and awareness meditation can benefit people of any spiritual tradition and way of life. It shows how to take the challenges of daily life in our modern societies as opportunities for both contemplative practice and social action. Suggested Donation: * $50 if pre-registered by November 2; $60 fee after pre-registration deadline; $25 if repeating the class. Please pre-register by November 2, 2008, by calling the Center at 441-8868 or emailing madisonshambhala@gmail.com

5. Restorative Yoga
Ali Dwyer and Amala Heeter offer these fantastic Restorative Yoga (read: relaxing practically effortless and fun movement and non-movement) classes once a month. Next one is November 16th, from 12-2pm. Want in? Eamil Ali: alidwyer@gmail.com

6. Amy Tan link
Just a great talk on creativity from the author of the Kitchen God's Wife. Amazing website for talks, too:
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/amy_tan_on_creativity.html


Enjoy!
Miriam
miriam hall (herspiral) madison wi usa
herspiral@yahoo.com
www.flickr.com/photos/herspiral
read of the week: buddha by karen armstrong