Writing Circles Inspired by The Tremble of Love: A Novel of the Baal Shem Tov
There are numerous themes in The Tremble of Love
that can be “written into” as the focal point of a writing circle.
Here are just a few:
GOD?
God. Where? What? Who? Dare to write into unspoken, ineffable experiences and questions in unbounded exploration, revelation, and not knowing. Explore through words the going beyond words. What may start as a feeling of writing oneself off a cliff may transform into homecoming and awe. All held in the net of sincere query.
Read “Wanting God”
WRITING AS PRAYER
This writing rendezvous offers the opportunity to pull out the stops, leave propriety in the dust, and free the heart and mind to give voice outside the bounds of formal prayer. Space to be as intimate, questioning, grateful, disillusioned, mystified, passionate as the moment and one’s life situation summon. No limits. No rules.
Read “Writing As Prayer”
SILENCE AS NOURISHMENT
In this writing circle, Ani will lead participants into meditation before writing, so that writing may emerge more consciously from a place of stillness, silence, and witness. Resources will be shared about the practice of meditation, the sweet power of silence, and how these can fuel our writing and our lives.
THE PRACTICE OF SELF-COMPASSION
A central theme in The Tremble of Love: A Novel of the Baal Shem Tov is self-compassion—not to be confused with self-pity. This session will offer sparks that can inspire a tender, forgiving, even amused encounter with one’s self in all our many faceted perfect imperfection. Members of this circle will leave with tools for the practice of self-compassion realized through writing.
DEEP LISTENING
In this writing circle, we will explore writing as a way to deepen our ability to listen. Writing at its best calls for deep listening to ourselves. It can be a path to deeper listening to others without judgment, to nature, and to the poignant longing for love, peace, and well-being, everywhere around us.
“I feel like I’ve been to a really good yoga class when the writing group with Ani ends. The experience is meditative, cleansing, cathartic and catalytic all at the same time. I emerge present-focused and grateful. And to boot, words have come out of me that I never expected and there they are on the page…”
-Marla Solomon
“Your guidance provides a rich spiritual experience.
You put your heart and soul into everything you do and it brings out that kind of response in those who write with you.”
-Harriet Goodwin
Contact Ani for more information about Writing Circles Inspired by The Tremble of Love.
HARVESTING LOVE
Writing as Prayer
Because we did not flee
A Whistle and a Pure Heart: Praying as We Are
Join Ani’s Inner Circle
A great way to stay connected with Love:
Harvesting Love letters. Book excerpts. Recordings.
Resources to help you free the voice of your heart. And more.