Regular old ideas may not be enough anymore…if they ever were. Especially when it comes to creative writing. The phenomenally successful filmmaker, David Lynch, says, “Ideas are like fish. If you want to catch a little fish, you can stay in shallow water. But if you want to catch the big fish, you’ve got to go deeper.” We invite you to go deeper to discover new ways to catch the big one. In the upcoming Zen Writing Workshop, Zazen meditation is combined with periods of prompt-driven writing, illuminating the connections between Zen meditation and creative expression.
(All reading and study materials provided. Bring your documentary media: notebook & camera - feel free to photograph and record. Course content may vary slightly.)
Attendance is limited to no more than 15 | RSVP by September 14, 2024
Email taiunmelliston@gmail.com to RSVP.
Suggested Fee: $75 (Or what you can afford).
Class Schedule:
08:30 AM Introductions
08:45 AM Sitting Instructions
09:00 AM Sitting
09:30 AM Writing
10:00 AM Sitting
10:30 AM Writing
11:00 AM Sitting
11:30 AM Writing
12:00 PM Lunch/Read-out
01:00 PM Adjourn
Writing prompts
During the writing periods, participants may work on writing for a specific piece they already have in progress.
We will provide prompts and creative exercises for those who don't have their own writing project in progress.
Lunch
Bring your own or enjoy the pizza we'll order in.
Facilitators
Zenkai Taiun Michael Elliston-Roshi is Abbott and head teacher at the Atlanta Soto Zen Center and the leader of ASZC’s network of affiliates in the US and Canada organized under the Silent Thunder Order. Elliston-Roshi is also a professional designer and an accomplished fine artist whose work is featured in Atlanta at the Kai Lin Art Gallery in West Midtown. Prior to moving to Atlanta in 1970, Elliston-Roshi taught at both the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle Campus and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. In both schools, he was responsible for developing curriculum and teaching in a wide variety of graduate and undergraduate classes.
Andrew Dietz is founder of Creative Growth Group and partner in Creative Influence – a “sales-enabled” B2B content studio and public relations firm. He is also the author of two books, myriad blog posts and articles and a long time member of the Atlanta Soto Zen Center and has led prior workshops on meditation, creativity and writing. He is a graduate of University of Michigan (BBA, Marketing) and Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business (MBA, Marketing).
About ASZC
Atlanta Soto Zen Center (ASZC) is a Zen practice center founded in 1977 by Zenkai Taiun Michael Elliston-Roshi, abbot of ASZC and guiding teacher of the Silent Thunder Order. The Atlanta Soto Zen Center is recognized by the SZBA (Soto Zen Buddhist Association) and serves as the main training center for the Silent Thunder Order which has affiliate centers throughout the United States and Canada. ASZC is located near Briarcliff Road/Clifton Road intersection on the perimeter of Emory University. The facility is adjacent to Zonolite Park: 1.5 miles of gravel trails through 13 acres including an old-growth forest, a sunny meadow, small rivulets and a beautiful wetland garden. If weather permits, we’ll use the park for a portion of our program. www.aszc.org and www.storder.org