Great Teachers: Natalie Goldberg 
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Natalie Goldberg has been one of my main “book teachers” since I found Writing Down the Bones in the Waldenbooks of Latham Circle Mall when I was about 16.
She introduced me to a world of wild mind and free writing and Zen and spiritual engagement and arty-hippy Taos and living with great presence and freedom.
To my burgeoning suburban teen self, this was a huge eye- and mind- and heart-opener. It changed my form.
It’s interesting reading her most recent book, The True Secret of Writing: Connecting Life with Language. She has clearly grown, matured, stripped down, and settled over the years, deep in her dual practices of writing and Zen. So have I in my own way, so reading this book feels like Natalie and I are old friends meeting in a different place.
Here is a one-page chapter I keep coming back to:
“Seven Attitudes of Mindfulness”
“Mindfulness means to be aware, awake. To be alive, attentive, receiving as we move through our day. Not brittle, blind, disjointed, out-of-touch, stressed, nervous, excited – or at least aware of these states and even having a bit of compassion for ourselves. This list is a reminder of another way to be in the world – really a relief, a way out of distress.
1. Nonjudging
2. Patience
3. Beginner’s mind
4. Trust
5. Nonstriving
6. Accepting
7. Letting go
“These seven attributes are the state of mind advantageous for writing, sitting, walking. Also for approaching your employees, your boss, friend, lover, enemy. A way to carry yourself. And we can so easily forget. Put the list on your refrigerator.”
I haven’t printed it for the fridge yet, but I think I will. How about you?
Warmly,
Alice
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Wild mind and living with presence and freedom. Oh yes. I want to practice that and this list, Alice.
I’m adding Goldberg’s new book to my list. She’s one of my favorite writers, too.
Hello, Susan!
Great to see you here. 🙂
If you read it, let me know what you think – especially if you, too, feel that Natalie (Ms Goldberg? Seems so formal for an “old friend”) has dropped down to a more settled place.
The book is largely about these incredible-sounding Write-Sit-Walk retreats she does. I am already dreaming of doing my own version of them, with writing practice and sitting and walking Reiki meditation practices interspersed. So inspiring.
With love,
Alice
Alice Risemberg ~ Reiki Pulse recently posted…The Temple of You
Hi Alice,
Like the 7 steps of Mindfulness, Thich Nhath Hanh writes very nice about these as well.
Love
Frans
Hi, Frans!
Thanks for visiting. Always nice to see you here. 🙂
Thich Nhat Hanh is another one of my most beloved Great Book Teachers. Similar (universal, wonderful) messages, different voices.
This book of Natalie Goldberg’s is largely about these Write-Sit-Walk retreats she has apparently been doing for years. Now I want to go to one AND adapt them for my own students, combining writing practice with sitting and walking Reiki/Japanese practices. Fantastic.
Love flying back to you from California,
Alice
Alice Risemberg ~ Reiki Pulse recently posted…The Temple of You
Alice, love love this. Adding this book now to my Amazon wish list and thanks enormously for sharing.
I will be adding the list to pin board today.
Karen, how delicious to see you here!
Let me know what you think of the book. Have you read any of her previous books?
Enjoy that list! (Whoops, I haven’t printed it for myself yet!)
Warmly,
Alice
Alice Risemberg ~ Reiki Pulse recently posted…Isn’t Reiki a Bit Out There?
Hi Alice– thanks so much for posting about this… I’m a big Natalie fan, got to study with her several times, and I had no clue that she’d put out this book a year ago! It looks like a good one, and I”m eager to read it. And I could use some mindfulness.
Hi, Theresa!
How wonderful to see you here.
I’m not surprised you’re a Natalie fan, too, makes sense!
I am really enjoying this one. As someone who has been doing writing and meditation practices for a long time, combining them in a retreat sounds fantastic. I hope to adapt the idea for my own students (and me).
Come back and let me know what you think once you read it.
With love,
Alice
Alice Risemberg ~ Reiki Pulse recently posted…Clarity of Mind
Great fridge material! Thanks for sharing it Alice.
Can’t wait to read the book.
Thanks, Kelly! That’s the same list I shared in your telepractice call last month. I keep going back to it. 🙂
Lots of love,
Alice
Alice Risemberg ~ Reiki Pulse recently posted…Is It Fear or Is It Love?