Writing The Journey - Five Week Course with Dan Simpson

As we move into summer (and hopefully the end of lockdown), it feels like a time of renewal and reflection - and of looking forward with hope after such a difficult year. Many of us may make a resolution to take new ways of being, lessons, or practices into the “new normal”. 

Reflecting on a transformational experience he had last year, Dan writes:  “A fellow ‘psychonaut’ once said to me as we were tripping together - “Words are silly”. As a poet, whose primary trade is in both written and spoken word, I know how silly words can be – and how powerful. Holding these two simultaneously existing beliefs at the same time, we may be able to use language to better tell our own stories. As we heighten our understanding of the universe and ourselves through psychedelics, poetry is the substance of heightened language.

Alongside poetry, one of Dan’s primary methods of understanding himself and the world – of processing his experiences – is through journaling. Using more than 10 years’ experience of delivering creative writing workshops (including in wellbeing settings), Dan has devised this course for the Psychedelic Society to nurture our minds and spark our imaginations through the power of writing. This third iteration of this course, it is newly expanded to five weeks - allowing for a deeper exploration and more time to write and share together.

Keats wrote that “words are images of thoughts refined”. The course will offer that refinement to people who have undertaken an experience they are looking to better define and integrate into their lives. It will be an ideal opportunity to explore the power of language as a tool to support a period of change and transformation, or to reflect on one’s life journey more broadly - using poetry, journaling, and life-writing techniques.

What to expect:

• Stimulating guided writing prompts and exercises 
• Exploring stream-of-consciousness writing 
• How to free-write and edit
• Using metaphorical language as a way to truth
• Time for breathing and self reflection 
• No-pressure sharing back to the group

5-week course dates:  11, 18, 25 Apr & 2 & 9 May

SPEAKER PROFILE: Dan Simpson

Dan Simpson is a writer, performer, producer, and educator. He makes highly engaging and contemporary work that is entertaining, smart, and funny. His subjects include science and technology; history and place; art and culture; people and poetry. A former Canterbury Laureate, he was poet-in-residence at Imperial College London - and currently at St Albans Cathedral (and next year at Glastonbury Festival!).

An accomplished facilitator, Dan is an welcoming, insightful, and adaptable workshop leader. He convenes and lectures on the 'Writing for the Spoken Word' module at Canterbury Christ Church University, and delivers primary and secondary school classes around the U.K. - including work for First Story, Barbican Centre, and Apples and Snakes. He also runs creative writing, wellbeing, and professional development sessions for adults. 

Dan has been Poet-in-Residence at Glastonbury Festival 2020 (virtual), Waterloo Station, and National Trust Stowe. His two collections of poetry are Applied Mathematics and Totally Cultured (Burning Eye Books), and he has been commissioned by Southbank Centre, Free Word, and Reading University. Dan has performed around the world including at Glastonbury Festival, Chicago’s Uptown Poetry Slam, Sofar Sounds Auckland, and on the BBC.

Please email  mags@psychedelicsociety.org.uk with any questions.

REFUNDS POLICY: Please note, we do not arrange refunds or exchanges. When possible we encourage reselling on Ticketswap.

ACCESS:  We do our best to include everyone in our events, regardless of health circumstances. If you have access requirements please email the event organiser directly to discuss. Many facilitators are able to offer reduced ticket prices for those truly unable to afford the ticket price. If this applies to you, do please get in touch with the event organiser.

For PSYCHEDELIC KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES please check out the Psychedelic Society website. 

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