What is Breathe/Read/Write?
In BRW circles, we meditate, listen to a selected poem, freewrite in response, and share what comes through. It’s a reliable structure that kindles creativity and connection.
Lisa begins each round by guiding everyone to settle in and feel the alignment between body, mind, and heart. We breathe into that alignment.
After a few minutes, we turn to a short poem to prompt our freewriting. Freewriting consists of putting pen to page and letting it go. No need to edit.
We end with a round of sharing. This is optional, but we find that it feels good to read what we’ve written. We get to surprise ourselves and our companions. And to listen and be heard nurtures on a deep level, like gathering around the campfire and sharing.
Most BRW circles take place in Zoom. We also meet in NYC and travel occasionally for in-person gatherings.
Circles last from one hour for the Monday Morning [W]rites to three hours for the Studio Time Circles, where everyone gets a chance to work on personal projects. Our long-standing Thursday Morning Circles go from 10 am to 12 pm ET.
See our Eventbrite listings for our up-to-date offerings and details and to register.
photo by Jennifer WorthamLisa Freedman…
started BRW in 2016, after the elections. She wanted to make a space where people could be with one another and bring their whole selves to processing and responding to current events.
The ritual - breathe, take in a poem, freewrite, and share - works. It cuts through the sound-bite buzz and helps people keep their hearts open and their imaginations tuned to hope.
BRW continues to be a place where the personal and the political mix. For some sessions, we have themes like immigration or the blindness of war. For others, it’s more open-ended, such as crows or convenience stores.
In all cases, the freewriting in response is truly free. No musts or shoulds. This makes the sharing time a wonderful kaleidoscope of concerns and associations paired with enthusiastic responses from listeners.
Bio: Lisa has taught and presented extensively -- for the International Women’s Writing Guild, New York Zen Center, United Nations, St. John the Divine, Extinction Rebellion, and many others. Lisa received her MFA from the New School, where she now creates and teaches courses such as “The Open Space of Silence: A Meditation and Writing Workshop.” Her writings have appeared in Satya Magazine, Shambhala Times, the anthology Resist Much, Obey Little, and more.