Creative Workshops 2009
June Writing Newsletter
Re-story Life and Work
Time
held me green and dying though I sang in my chains like the sea (Dylan Thomas)
Dear writer, storyteller, reader, traveller
There is a story of a pilgrim who walks all day and arrives muscle and
bone weary at a shrine. He lies on his back and places his feet on one of the
statues. The custodian of the shrine rushes out and reprimands him, “Put your
feet on the ground. The statue is holy.” Still prone, the pilgrim looks up at
the priest and responds. “Father, please show me where I can rest my feet on a
place that is not holy.”
This month I wish to celebrate the green passion of
journalist Elma Pollard, my heartner, who is starting a Green Times newspaper
- out in June for the first time. Distributed in parts of the
Perhaps this is a metaphor for the way we decorate our
lives with our words and stories - writing on the roof, underbelly, outsides,
insides, preparing the casket for that river crossing. Dylan Thomas might well
have put the above quotation on his pod casket.
How can we writers and
story tellers earth our words in eco work? You might like to send a
contribution to the Green Arts page. Contact Elma starlight@wol.co.za 084 868 2908 for orders, inspiration,
contributions, conversations, support.
Here is my contribution:
Weather
and Season Song
in this
waves rear on hind legs
like polar bears
slashing the sky.
gale wind drives rain
parallel to the earth
through the vineyard,
splitting the oak,
flooding the Flats,
cracking the sea wall
like an egg shell.
sweating dog summers
pant and howl in the face
of a fynbos fire
that chokes the air
and hurls pine cone
grenades at houses
and sears the mountain
coal-mine black.
sudden summer rain rots crops.
all seasons in a day -
nothing new, we say
to this
yet where are
the in-between seasons
when the earth tilts
with the sun mild
on Cancer or Capricorn?
somebody has flicked the
random scramble CD switch.
the weather and seasons
out of sync, no longer
sing in four part harmony
the cycle song of creation -
spring summer autumn winter -
ordered and measured
in tones and moods
as Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.
and is that somebody us?
Dorian
Elma’s message is about
responding to dark times with green times. Many folk are
currently walking in this
darkness. Fiona Robinson sent me this reminder:
You darkness, that
I come from, I love you more than all the fires that fence in the world – for
the fire makes a circle of light for everyone, and then no one outside learns
of you. But the darkness pulls in everything: shapes, and fires, animals, and
myself, how easily it gathers them! --powers and people. And it is possible a
great energy is moving near me. I have faith in nights (Rilke)
Dorian’s June/July Storyshops/ Writeshops
Home focus this month. but have ideas will travel.. If
you want any of these in your area speak speak. Jozians? Durbanians?
….To respond to two oft asked questions
–
No workshop is ever the same. No one jumps into the same river twice.
Writes: “No two trees are the same to Raven. No two branches are the same to
Wren.” (David Wagoner)
And for those who feel they might be ‘put on the spot’, I invite people to read
their writing only if they wish to. You may share in pairs or work in silence
if that is your choice.
1. Somerset West
Living the Questions Now : A Six Session
Writing Course R450 includes
notes
begins Wed 10 June (5.30 - 8.00 pm) and then 2nd Wed of every month
Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and
try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms and like books that are
written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be
given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live
everything. Live the questions now. (Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet)
What are the great questions of our lives? In
this course we mediate on, consider and explore these questions though reading,
writing and story telling.
Contact me for venue
2.
Somerset West
Once Upon
a Life…The Power of Story-Telling R300 (concessions available)
Sun 14 June 09.30 – 13.30 followed by a
shared lunch
(A repeat of the International Story
telling day (May 16) Movement for Sharing Life Stories in
Our lives are stories. We tell them in our own
voices. Climb inside your story and tell it from the inside. Listen to
it, Shape it. Taste it on you tongue. Reconnect to creativity, memory and
imagination. This workshop experience will energise you. You’ll emerge with
stories in your heart and on your lips.
Carol Scrooby who attended the 16 May
storyshop writes: “....they said I was crazy
to drive so far in a storm like that but how else could I have seen the golden
vineyards through the
wet black trees and warmed myself around the story-fire with kindred
souls?”
Venue:
3. Somerset West
The Joy of Stories: Nasrudin, Oom Schalk
and the Rabbi R60
Wed 24 June
19.00 -21.30
Why stories?
Because stories are origins and origins are places that we walk out from.
Because stories have many feet and travel several roads at once...
because the story conjures the invisible. (Deena Metzger)
Stories start
a conversation with ourselves and with our community. The evening’s focus
is on the joy of stories from different traditions.. Listening to
them,.. playing with them… laying our story down beside them,. We touch
on the philosophy of stories… how beliefs can trap us… how stories can free us…
Venue: The
Light Centre Contact Lily Masson
elizabeth@lightentre.co.za 021
852 3446
4.
Rekindling
the Fire: A Retreat to revive our Creativity and Imagination
4-5 July 2009
I know that there is room in me
for a second huge and timeless life (Rilke)
In this retreat we enter the world of story to recover
our creativity, zest, energy and passion. We search for a myth to sustain and
transform us as we ask, the poet T S Eliot’s question, “Where is the
life we have lost in living?” We consider how attention to life stories and
fiction, so rich in image, symbol and rhythm, can create a more abundant life.
The workshop uses collage work, journaling, stories , visualisation, observation
and other modalities to inspire us. Beginners are welcome.
There will be time to meditate in the room with a fig tree built into the wall,
reflect, observe birds and walk the labyrinth.
Cost
includes 2 nights accommodation R600 plus surcharge R120-00 and is open to non-
residents at R300 plus R120-00 surcharge. I work on a dharma basis for the
course .i.e. the workshop is a gift and participants offer a donation in
return
10 people needed to make the retreat
viable.
bookings
Elaine Whitwam whitbird@venturenet.co.za
039 684 6745 082 337 7702
5. Somerset West
Writing your Life Story
Sat 11 July 09.30 – 13.00
a U3A (University of the Third Age)
workshop – free to U3A members. Elders teaching elders. Why not join up?
6. Rooi Els /
Living the Questions Now. An Evening of
Story-telling and Poetry R50(R80 a couple)
Sat 11 July (19.00 -) a soup, bread,
cheese fire and wine evening
Live the questions now. Perhaps then you will
gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the
answer (Rilke, Letters to a Young
Poet))
What are the great questions of our lives? We
mediate on, consider and explore these questions though poetry and story
telling.
Contact Evette Weyers emoyeni @mhws.co.za
7. Ixopo Zen Pen:
Writing and Meditation
31 July - 2 Aug – at Buddhist Retreat Centre. brcixopo@futurenet.co.za 039 834 1863
“Looking at your image in a clear stream,you answer the question by your
very presence.”
In this workshop we explore the connection between
writing and meditation. We write and meditate on the many changes and
transformations we experience as we journey along the river of our lives. We
consider how creativity steadies the boat and how writing helps us dip the oars
into dark water so we may navigate the river safely.
Ongoing
activities (some repeat info)
Development
Work
Last year the Storywell team I co-ordinate completed a UNICEF project training
caregivers who look after vulnerable children in story telling and
listening. Written this up as a resource
book (see site for details)
Writer
in Residence
In late July I will enjoy another 3 day spell at
Corporate
Work
Story work in organisational development is growing.
Stories shape our world of work – leadership, training, mergers, marketing,
product development, client services, strategic planning. Stories influence
organisations (the larger body) as much as they do individuals (the smaller
body). Unconscious stories can sabotage an organisation. Stories made conscious
can save it. When employees’ stories are heard and received, they feel valued as an asset and
are more present at work. They feel a sense of belonging and begin to use
their initiative.
Speaking
Engagements
Be still when you have nothing to say but when genuine passion moves
you, say what you've got to say, and say it hot." (D. H. Lawrence) I’m building up this aspect of my work.
Anywhere: Autumnal Stories at Home
This season I will be a storying for groups
of friends…an evening, wine, cheese, breads and tales for the telling. Any
rhyme or reason – birthdays, TV fatigue,
the art of conversation, sommer. Gather a group for Winter. This month an
evening for a 10th wedding anniversary for a couple still in love ‘the second
time around.”
Mentoring
Walk with me in words. You
put on one shoe, I wear the other. Memoirs, mindfulness adventures, work in the
word… genres tumbling out of folk on the one-on-one path. Such a richness of
story here.
5-
Email Courses: Writer’s/ Poet’s Voice Course – one-on–one
tuition
Some folks respond to structure, assignments… if
so, ask and it shall be negotiated. Here is one possibility: Do you love reading and writing? This
one-on-one apprenticeship aims to take you further up the writing mountain and
offer you a deeper engagement with your craft. This course is structured in the
nature of an ongoing conversation with a few chosen writers or poets,
(ancestral or alive) with me and with yourself. I encourage you to keep a
journal to record your observations and reflections.
CD/
Books
More Stories: Stories from
announcing announcing a 2nd CD. Some fifty plus stories to entertain,
tease you, stimulate creativity, prompt discussion… out mid June … advance
orders at R100 plus postage
The Halo and the Noose, the Power of story-telling and
story listening in Business Life R180
Want to source a 100 plus stories? co-written with
Graham Williams (Graysonian Press). We run corporate story workshops based on
our book. Bruce
Copley
leading aaha
educator, sound journey man writes:
The stories are delightful. I love the
skilful way in which you explain and illustrate the relevance and connection of
stories to every sphere of our short earth walk. Congratulations for a
fine and profound gift that will I have no doubt, weave its magic. I
regard as one of the most delightful and totally captivating reads of my life.
(bruce@aahalearning.com)
For orders: from the authors
or Graysonian Press Inspirational
books that change the world www.graysonian.com +27 11 6462956 or
0836101113
Friends
at Work and Play
(
Enhance personal growth and honour your
soul through creative techniques. Reconnect with your imaginative
side and enrich your life.
Aneta is a clinical psychologist and
hypnotherapist, has integrated years of experience as a therapist and life in
other countries with ancient ways of being in this world.
Aneta
082 686 8118 or 021 8555415 aneta.shaw@vodamail.co.za
(
17 - 19 July. Nuy Valley Guest House in
art making techniques and processes,
Connect to your creativity connect with nature - we will do some creative work
outside.
get to know yourself a little better
Mandala workshop 8 Aug (Newlands)
Gabby is an experienced Art Educator who
leads weekends of art, creativity, fun, laughter and relaxation
Gabby
083 359 3270 gabby@circlestories.co.za
(
Based on the same principle as going to regular gym sessions,
this will be geared to developing fun, useful creative skills and ability that
absolutely everyone can learn. Activities
combine your brain and your body to develop holistic creativity skills through
regular exercise sessions, an unusual and exciting way to invigorate your
weekly routine.
Creativity Gym™sessions at Zenatude, corner
Michelle Jacobs: 084 777 436 innovation@mweb.co.za
http://www.creativitygym.com
(
"We are the Leaders we've been Waiting for": A Powerful One Day Leadership Conference for Women and
the organizations who recognize their leadership contribution and
potential
"The real challenge for
women's leadership is to ask the right questions" Debby Edelstein
Leading organisations recognise that
the creativity, resilience and emotional intelligence which
women leaders contribute is even more valuable when times are tough.
The truth is that women lead all the time. We just lack the confidence to call
it leadership. This one-day interactive conference will highlight the
qualities you already possess in your personal and professional life
and will show you how to fast-track your path from good manager to
great leader.
DATE: Tues 9 June 2009
VENUE: Sunnyside Park Hotel, Parktown,
TIME:
8:00 am for 8:30am until 4:30pm
COST:
R3500 ex vat. (speak to QL about group discounts and special rates for NGOs)
Phone Lizzy (011)
880-9749, email lizzy@qualitylife.co.za
with your contact details or register online at http://www.qualitylife.co.za/program.htm.
Writer-sites and News (see site news on my web. see new web
address dorianhaarhoff.com The longer old one is linked to it.
…. so this month write enough to
cover that pod coffin
Dorian
PS Thank you to all those who pass on this letter.
Dr Dorian Haarhoff
021 855 3937 / 082 873 6802/ fax 086 511 4751
http://dorianhaarhoffwriter.homestead.com
and dorianhaarhoff.com