Writing in Community
Writing in Community
A Practice of Attention — AWE – Attend, Write, Expand
with Mitra Manesh
This is a live online class where participants arrive through meditation, write in sustained silence, and leave expanded — more present, more connected to their voice, and more committed to their writing life. AWE is led by senior mindfulness educator Mitra Manesh.
Most of us have something we want to write and keep finding reasons to wait. This 6-week writing class offers a steady place to return — to the page, to your voice, and to what you truly want to give your attention to.
This is not a class in writing technique, and it is not a critique group. It is a structured, supportive space to simply show up and write — regularly, quietly, and in good company.
Each 90-minute session includes a guided meditation to arrive, a writing prompt often drawn from Mitra’s book, The Attentionist, 45 minutes of sustained silent writing, live coaching for participants who are stuck or have questions, and a closing meditation with a weekly intention.
Between sessions, all participants have access to the AWE WhatsApp community — a private space to share daily insights, reflections, and encouragement with fellow participants throughout the 6 weeks.
Writing is often solitary — and easy to postpone. In community it becomes steadier. The structure offers rhythm and gentle accountability, without pressure, performance, or judgment. We practice attention and let intention guide the act of writing.
Writers and not-yet-writers of all backgrounds and experience levels are welcome. Journaling, memoir, poetry, legacy writing, fiction, academic reflection, professional or personal writing — whatever feels alive and ready to emerge, you belong here. No recording. Just presence.
Dates & Time:
Wednesdays, May 6 – June 10, 2026
11:00am–12:30pm PT
Location:
Live-Online via Zoom
General Public Registration:
Base Rate: $100
Supporter Rate: $150*
Benefactor Rate: $250*
UCLA Health Employee & UCLA Student Registration:
UCLA Health Employee: $80**
UCLA Student: $0**
*Supporter and Benefactor rates include the base rate plus the suggested donation amount.
**UCLA Heath Employees & UCLA Students must register with their Mednet or Student email respectively.
Please note this is a live-online course. Due to the nature of this class, recordings will not be available.