on the pillars of the doorway

1. Hold on to the Center (Tao): This is the practice of non-judgment. As listeners, we will embrace those who share their writing. We will value the impact of their bravery; we will support their willingness even to fail. In this vein, we will strive to neither critique nor praise, for as FDR once said, “Comparison is thief of joy.”

2. Opening the door (Whyte): As a writing community we will take shared responsibility for the Light that is our practice. In this way we will act and write inclusively without bias against gender, sexuality, age, or ability.

3. Let yourself be crooked if you want to become whole (Tao) : We agree to take care of ourselves. We will take care of our bodies and minds in any way we need. This is sometimes called “radical kindness.” We will honor what we are comfortable sharing while tending to our personal needs.

4. The Stone Heart of the Mountain (Stegner): We agree to absolute confidentiality without commentary, suggestions or questions.

5. A Hand to your Heart (Patchett): When we write the most honest thing we can, we are offering ourselves the kindness to measure our true worth. We can then offer this kindness to others in our community. We want the best for one another. In trusting that we each intend to do our best, we will also help each other land gently when we fall. Finally, we can agree to listen to others with our whole heart. We are listening and actively pulling for each other.