Harold : Maude.
Maude : Hmm?
Harold : Do you pray?
Maude : Pray? No. I communicate.
Harold : With God?
Maude : With life!
I invite you to join us for an unusual summer writing experience. Many people are familiar with writing practice guru Natalie Goldberg, who encourages people to keep a list of topics to explore in timed writing sessions. In this class we will write off topics, dialogue, and song lyrics from the 1971 cult classic film, Harold and Maude, starring Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort and featuring the songs of Cat Stevens.
During our first session we will watch the film together; in the next four classes we will probe its meanings as we engage in writing practice, share our reflections in pairs, and brainstorm practical experiments for the week ahead.
We will meet on Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm Central time by Zoom on the following dates: July 8, July 15, July 22, July 29, and August 12.
Some Essentials—
Receptivity, openness, a sense of humor
Writing journal or device
Willingness to explore some of life’s great questions, a few of them articulated by Buddhist teacher Stephen Batchelor—
- What am I here for?
- Am I living in such a way that I can die without regrets?
- How much of what I do is compromise?
- Do I keep postponing what I “really” want to do until conditions are more favorable?
Tuition is $75 and you can write a check to me or use Paypal to my gmail address. Partial scholarship available.
Message or email me if you are interested: Markjchmiel@gmail.com
Maude : That was fun! Let’s play something together.
Harold : I don’t play anything.
Maude : Nothing? Dear me, everybody should be able to make some music. That’s the cosmic dance.
