Mark Matousek
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
Tap into your authentic voice and overcome barriers hiding within — enabling deep creativity and transformative truth-telling.
Bring your unique story to fruition... and share your core message of empowerment with others.
Do you feel you have a creative gift inside you but don’t know how to bring it to life?
Have you ever been deeply moved and inspired by another person’s story or message and thought, I wish I could do that!
With all the experiences that life has brought your way, there’s no queston that your own unique voice — and what you long to create — can uplift others and bring new meaning and vision into the world.
Yet this possibility can seem far off when you actually sit down to express what is within you, and your mind responds with doubts and resistance.
Discover your courageous, creative self — and share the gifts that are yours alone.
How? With this 7-part program from seasoned author and teacher Mark Matousek.
Mark Matousek, an award-winning author who’s contributed to publications like The New York Times Magazine, Yoga Journal, and Huffington Post, has helped many soul-searchers and storytellers like yourself move past resistance and into strong stories that leave legacies.
In this new program, Mark is offering a unique opportunity to tap into your authentic story while staying rooted in your creative process and bringing your desired goal to fruition…
In a voice that is deeply, authentically you.
Because you’re a unique soul, unlike any other person in existence.
Your journey has never been experienced by anyone else. As the very first traveler on this unexplored and highly personal path, a conscious writing practice will reveal its life-enhancing lessons — for you and for others.
Mark empowers you to tap into this journey in his newest program by revealing:
- Methods that let you tap into your most original self
- The primary barriers and mental blocks that come up and how to overcome them in a positive, empowering way
- Self-inquiry practices to transform your writing into an original and deeply moving message
- A practice to make your writing more powerful and intimate... by identifying your core audience
- Radical truth-telling as a path to your deepest creativity
- Your work plan and a structure to bring you the creative freedom and discipline you need to complete your vision
Discover Your Authentic Voice to Leave a Lasting Legacy
How do you use writing as a real inquiry to explore the depths of your being, the far corners of your life, and the full breadth of your wisdom?
By opening your heart and mind to the possibilities...
In this 7-part program, Mark will share profound answers and practices to help transform your practice of writing into a powerful story, book, memoir, or writing piece.
If you’ve been wanting to see your soul’s truest story and inner voice come forth, know that you can find blessings from the past and access a power you had no idea was inside you.
Mark’s writing process guides you to orient your vision, tap into what truly motivates your purpose, move past internal obstacles, and build confidence in your authentic voice.
Your Past Shapes Who You Are and the Story You’re Meant to Share
In finding your authentic voice, you cannot look only to the blessings and joys life has brought you — but to the wounds of the human condition as well, which are a vital part of who you are.
During the writing process, your wounds may show up in a variety of ways, from insecurities to limiting beliefs. If you don’t know how to identify and move through these blocks, they can limit your capacity to share your truest story and bring a writing project to completion.
In writing your story, it’s crucial that you do not bypass these trying times, but tap into the power they’ve given you.
Your past enables you to clarify the future you want and the wisdom you wish to share with others.
Putting pen to paper is a beautiful and safe way to dive into your imagination — and all the trials and triumphs of life you’ve experienced during your unique and priceless journey.
And that’s why this writing course begins with the big picture...
Imagine a painting on a canvas.
At the beginning, the picture starts with mere dots of paint. Up close, all you see are flecks of color... fleshed out by the bristles of a painter’s brush. Then, upon completion, we step further and further back until we see one cohesive picture... a masterpiece of art.
A book, blog, memoir, or other writing piece follows the same arc.
In Liberating Your Authentic Writing Voice, Mark encourages students to begin with the big picture in mind of what they seek to create...
Every exercise then leads you to assemble the words that serve, like the dots of the painting, as the foundation...
Before you know it, you’ll see the framework for a picture, a story, a legacy... that will enable you to share your story in fresh and exciting ways.
Tapping into this vulnerable space within yourself can feel daunting, so know that it’s okay to evoke compassion not only for others, but for yourself as well. Giving permission to yourself, amid this community of fellow explorers and soul journeyers, will unlock a potential that you may never have realized was possible.
In Liberating Your Authentic Writing Voice, you have the chance to enter into an engaged and supportive 7-part journey to identify your unique vision... cultivate your confident, authentic voice... and take your story all the way to completion.
This is a rare opportunity to carve out – and immerse yourself in — a safe space dedicated to serving you and your unique vision, which will ultimately result in service to all.
In Liberating Your Authentic Writing Voice, opportunities will open for your sacred depths, allowing you to develop a truly transformative writing practice that expands your mind, deepens your self-awareness, and shares your story with those who need to hear it...
Integrating your story, voice, and goals will produce a successful writing project that leaves a legacy that you’re truly proud to reflect on and share with others.
A journey with an established, skilled, and caring teacher will empower these possibilities.
A Master Guide Can Help You Unlock Your Authentic Voice & Inspire Others
A masterful teacher can empower you to mine deep and meaningful insights from your thoughts and life experiences through positive self-reflection.
A master guide can keep you on track and help you avoid the many pitfalls that can emerge when writing your story.
Thankfully, there's a guide who is adept at helping you unearth the deepest truths about yourself...
Over the last three decades, Mark Matousek has become one of the world’s foremost chroniclers of the spiritual path — as an author (of the bestselling Sex Death Enlightenment ), journalist (for publications such as The New Yorker and O ), collaborator (on seminal books like the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying), and editor.
Mark began his practice of writing to metabolize early losses and traumas in his own life. While this disciplined writing process initially functioned as his personal survival mechanism, it eventually became clear to him that he could turn it into a gift for others.
Mark is a master of language and, more importantly, a genius at marrying the depth of spiritual practice with the practice of writing. He's a dynamic, funny, self-revealing, and profound teacher who will be sharing practices and disciplines with you that make for a liberating, lifelong practice of writing.
Tap Into Your Deepest Originality & Bring Your Vision to Fruition
Many people have inspiration but lack the ability to bring their work to fruition. Regardless of their particular field — memoir, narrative nonfiction, screenplays, poetry, or blogging — the principles of the creative process are universal.
This motivational, hands-on course will guide you through the seven essential steps to completing the work you begin.
Discovering how to focus your vision... make space for dream time... develop patience... overcome resistance... and follow the authentic writing voice that is yours alone... can help you overcome the obstacles standing between you and your deep originality... your particular angle of vision... the tone of voice that comes naturally to you... the core messages you want to communicate... the legacy you long to leave behind... and the joy of sharing your work with others.
You’ll gain insight into what holds you back, and the tools for successfully structuring your creative life. You don’t have to be a writer to do this work: all you need is an inspiring and empowering story or message you wish to share, and the determination to learn how to communicate it to others.
In each class, Mark will give a brief talk on the subject at hand, and provide in-class writing exercises, personal coaching, and the opportunity to connect with a buddy for feedback. He'll then open the session up for questions and answers.
What You’ll Discover in These 7 Weeks
Course sessions are on Wednesdays at Noon Pacific.
During this 7-week transformational intensive, Mark will guide you through the fundamental skills and competencies you’ll need to craft writing that’s authentically in your voice, tells your most engaging story, and empowers the completion of the work.
You'll receive writing and self-inquiry practices in every module — to help you gain insight into that particular stage of the creative journey and manifest your work.
Each LIVE session will build harmoniously upon the next so that you’ll develop a complete, holistic understanding of the practices, tools, and principles you’ll need to sustain your writing practice and bring your vision into the world.
Module 1: Locating Your Authentic Voice (January 9)
It’s time to get writing! In this first module, you’ll learn to recognize the unique qualities of your authentic voice. Is it grounded or ethereal, narrative or abstract, lyrical or worldly wise? Identifying the strengths and weaknesses in your writing voice enables you to conceive your vision organically, as a natural outgrowth of your particular gifts.
In this module, you’ll:
- Apply powerful writing practices that bring forth the energy and qualities of your true voice
- Identify what works (and what doesn’t work) in your writing voice
- Watch your vision emerge organically out of your writing and authentic voice
- Allow your gifts to begin to come to light through your writing voice
Module 2: Envisioning Your Creation (January 16)
Having located your authentic voice, it’s time to envision what you wish to create. Specificity is key to this process; imagining your heart’s desires in as detailed a way as possible will help you clarify the creative process ahead. What is motivating you to do this work? What are your desired outcomes? Who is your audience, and what do you hope they gain from your vision?
In this module, you’ll:
- Envision the “product” of your vision — memoir, novel, legacy project, etc.
- Through a self-inquiry writing practice, clarify your motivation and desires for this process
- Identify the specific steps to bring your vision into the world
- Define your audience and the ways you hope your work will help heal, transform, or inspire them
Module 3: Building Your Work Plan (January 23)
Having cleared the way for your vision to take root, it’s helpful to cultivate a realistic work plan. Even though this plan is likely to change and evolve, crafting it now grounds the imagination nonetheless. You come to learn that order is freedom, planning is play, and structure is the secret to manifestation.
In this module, you’ll:
- Establish a realistic work plan and writing schedule you feel good about
- Cultivate a balance between planning and spontaneous creation
- Begin to create a structure in which your vision can take root
- Share your challenges, concerns, questions, and insights with Mark — and receive personal coaching and guidance
Module 4: Finding the Structure (January 30)
How do you decide on the shape of your work, the precise form that it’s going to take? It’s here that many creative people throw up their hands and give up. It’s common to resist specificity, especially when you're feeling inspired, but the more precise the imagined outcome — while knowing full well that whatever structure you build is certain to change — the firmer your grasp on the task at hand.
In this module, you’ll:
- Define the precise form your work will take
- Persist even when you want to resist, modifying your structure as needed
- Apply techniques to release resistance to structure
- Draw on the guidance of your authentic voice to “course-correct” if you lose your way
Module 5: Working With Resistance & Conflict (February 6)
The creative process often triggers your shadow and the voices of self-sabotage. The closer you get to realizing your vision, the louder and more invasive these internal enemies are likely to become. By understanding their negative messages, you disempower these creative foes and build confidence in your authentic voice.
In this module, you’ll:
- Address the parts of you that seem determined to stall your forward motion
- Understand what these “saboteurs” are attempting to communicate and heal
- Discover shadow aspects triggered by your creative process
- Harness the creative energy of internal conflict — to make your writing original and more meaningful to your intended audience
Module 6: Developing Healthy Discipline (February 13)
Next, we explore the importance of stamina, faith, and flexibility in completing both short-term and long-term projects. When we make an ally of discipline, we become our own authority, and cease looking toward others for affirmation. Discipline is the spine that keeps us upright and forward moving on the path to completion. Without the freedom to “fail well,” and learn from our creative mistakes, we cannot do our best work.
In this module, you’ll:
- Make healthy discipline your ally — the key to being a successful author and master of your own life
- Cultivate the willingness to “fail well” so you can apply lessons learned to your creative vision
- Deepen your faith in your own vision and creative process
- Turn inward for validation and to affirm your own worth and skills as a writer
Module 7: Bringing Your Work to Completion (February 20)
In this final lesson, we explore the question of what to do when our work is finished. How do we know when it’s good enough — and when the vision needs revision? Once the final draft is completed, how do we bring our creative work into the world and make our authentic voice heard? Students will finish the course with practical tools and a game plan for moving forward.
In this module, you’ll:
- Review your writing progress and product so far
- Continue to deepen into your authentic writing voice
- Begin the revision process if it’s time for that
- Create a plan for bringing your work into the world — from revision to outside editing to publication to promotion
- Receive practical tools and a game plan for the next phase of your journey as a writer
The Liberating Your Authentic Writing Voice Bonus Collection
In addition to Mark’s transformative 7-week virtual course, you’ll receive these powerful training sessions with leading visionaries and teachers. These bonus sessions complement the course — and promise to take your understanding and practice to an even deeper level.
The Questions That Matter: The Art of Self Inquiry
Audio Teaching From Mark Matousek
As seekers of truth, we must ask ourselves challenging questions in order to free ourselves of illusion, which is the goal of all spiritual practice. Until we question our assumptions, narratives, beliefs, conclusions, appearances, and objects of faith, we cannot awaken to our true nature, nor can we liberate our innate power and knowledge. In this talk for The Seekers Forum, Mark talks about why this is true, and explains how to cultivate the art of self-inquiry. Working with seven essential tools, you’ll explore the ancient question, Who Am I? that has driven both memoirists and spiritual seekers for millennia.
The One Life We’re Given
Audio Dialogue With Mark Matousek and Mark Nepo
In this profound talk, Mark talks to bestselling poet and philosopher Mark Nepo about the connection between writing and spiritual awakening, and how to use adversity as a doorway to self-realization.
Mark Nepo is a poet and philosopher who has taught in the fields of poetry and spirituality for over 30 years. He is best known as the author of The Book of Awakening. In 2010, Oprah Winfrey chose this book as one of her Ultimate Favorite Things for her farewell season, launching it to the #1 spot on the New York Times bestseller list. Mark has appeared several times with Oprah on her Super Soul Sunday program on OWN TV. He has published several books and audio projects. A cancer survivor, Nepo writes and teaches about the journey of inner transformation and the life of relationship. His book, Seven Thousand Ways to Listen, won the 2012 Books for a Better Life Award.
The Heart Has Its Reasons: Learning the Language of Emotions
Audio Teaching From Mark Matousek
In this important teaching, Mark talks about the importance of differentiating emotional truth from the mother tongue of reason. In a culture where logic is king, and intellect is the coin of the realm, it’s easy to forget that emotions speak a language all their own. As Pascal wrote, “The heart has its reasons of which reason knows nothing,” and until we learn the grammar of emotional life — the syntax of feelings, the vernacular of affections — we cannot truly know ourselves. Why does emotion trump reason so often? Why are feelings so intractable once they kick in? What is emotional intelligence and how do we learn it? How can we harmonize our heart and mind in order to speak with a unified voice that captures the wisdom of both? These are some of the questions Mark explores in this fascinating audio teaching.
What Graduates of Mark’s Previous Courses Are Saying...
— Gill Bolt: “It’s Like Being Reborn”
— Toby Needleman: “I Feel So Much Lighter”
— Emma Jarrett: “An Unending Source of Wisdom and Exploration”
— Cathy McBride: “Not Just a Way to Heal, But a Way to Transform”
— Krystal Dyan: “You Feel That You're Held With Such Compassion and Such Beauty”
— Cathy Roberts: “The Writing Seemed to Be Flowing Through Me”
“Mark helped me dig deeper”
The framework Mark provides for considering key aspects of your life and development — and his questions — are very valuable and effective tools. I’m a lifelong journal writer, someone for whom writing has always been a part of spiritual exploration. But Mark helped me dig deeper. I'll be continuing to work with the ideas and “writing prompts” I got from this course.
— Susan, New York, New York
“I have started to get a better sense of where to direct my ship...”
This course was a blessing to me as I navigated some stormy waters in life. After relocating to a new city and being without work, I was able to use this course to pull my life stories apart and get a good glimpse at where I’ve been. With that insight, I have started to get a better sense of where to direct my ship for the next course of this life adventure... Thank you, Mark, for your guidance and enthusiasm in sharing this practice!
— Eric van Leeuwen, Portland, Oregon
“I accessed parts of myself which I had never known before”
Mark Matousek is a compassionate, wise, and transformational teacher. Through the class and his guided questioning, I accessed parts of myself which I had never known before. Although a clinical social worker, I’ve never taken a course with such personal and professional growth in such a short time! I would highly recommend to anyone who desires to break through old patterns of behavior, ideas, and beliefs through developing a daily writing practice.
— Mary Agnes R., Orlando, Florida
“Amazingly deep reframing of goals an d commitments”
The benefit I experienced from this course is a clearer understanding of mental roadblocks by great probing questions and shared experiences of insights gained from being “real” about them. This resulted in amazingly deep reframing of goals and commitments in life that really led to completing and realizing my own freedom and happiness and, hopefully, helping others do the same.
— Mary Stone, Kalaheo, Hawaii
“I discovered a portal to a brighter, more enlightened future”
I took this course to jumpstart my writing process and am beyond pleased. Mark Matousek is part life coach, part meditation master, and part writing teacher. The course was well organized, and with Mark at the helm, the murky waters of my past became more of a clear-running stream than a dank, stagnant swamp. The community page was also a great way to connect and share with others. I really loved this course and the camaraderie, compassion, and confidence it generated. I feel like I discovered a portal to a brighter, more enlightened future.
— Lisa Miller, Los Angeles, California
“Supportive and perceptive guidance...”
It was everything I had hoped it would be and more. Mark’s extensive experience, compassion, and wisdom shone through the course content and his live presentation. His exposition in each module was clear and comprehensive, always illustrating what he said with case studies or examples. I was particularly moved and impressed with the way Mark responded to participants’ questions in the Q&A section of each module: his acuity and sensitivity to the participants, and the supportive and perceptive guidance he gave in response to the issues they raised.
— Gisela, Sydney, Australia
“Forgiving the universe and moving towards my true destiny”
We need to wake up to save the world. First we need to wake up to ourselves, all parts of ourselves; best and worst. Mark’s course helped awaken me. During the course of this lovely course, I was aided into forgiving the universe and moving towards my true destiny.
— Steve Minion, Manitoba, Canada
“I now know what I want to do...”
I’ve experienced many surprising benefits from taking this course. I’ve learned that writing can be a wonderful truth-telling tool. I now realize how important it is that I consciously create my future... with meaning, joy, and creativity at the top of the list. Thanks to Mark’s perceptive insights, I now know what I want to do, how I want to live, and what direction to go in. I experienced Mark as perceptive, non-judgemental, and constructive. He created an atmosphere of safety and respect that allowed me to explore much deeper territory and move beyond the obstacles I had thrown in my way.
— Anonymous
“Gave me a new way of looking at the story of my life...”
Writing to Awaken gave me a new way of looking at the story of my life in a supportive and structured way. It allowed disconnected parts out into the openness of the page... It’s not an “easy” course. It’s up to the participant to do what's suggested to get the benefit. Every participant will have taken away something different for their own journey and I am appreciative for this next step.
— Nerida, Phillip Island, Australia
“A powerful experience in opening up new pathways...”
I found that Mark's compassionate and insightful interactions, his discourses on the week's topic, and the writing exercises created for me a powerful experience in opening up new pathways into myself
— Derek, New Zealand
Join the Global Community
Liberating Your Authentic Writing Voice not only offers some of the most advanced online teachings currently available, it’s also a thriving global community of learning and practice.
Join your fellow students and practitioners from across the world in the live interactive conference calls or in our online community to support and learn from each other while you deepen your spiritual development through writing.
This international community is also at the leading edge of a global movement of people who are committed to manifesting a better world for all beings. This emerging planetary movement is rooted in an open heart, and stands for the principles of mutual support, cooperation, harmony, and reverence for all of life.
Here’s What You’ll Receive
Seven 90-minute Class Sessions With Mark Matousek
Experience a rare opportunity to be mentored and learn with renowned author and writing teacher Mark Matousek — from the comfort of your own home. Each class session guides you to learn the specific skills and abilities to awaken your spiritual potential. Course sessions are on Wednesdays at Noon Pacific..
Seven Audio Recordings of Class Sessions
After each class, the audio will be available for you to download in high-quality MP3 format. You’ll never have to worry about missing a session, and you can listen anytime and anywhere — on any connected device and at your convenience.
Seven PDF Transcripts of Class Sessions
In addition to the high-quality MP3 audios, you’ll also receive the entire class transcription in PDF format after each session is completed. You can then review, print, and highlight the most important insights and practices you were given.
Seven 30-minute Interactive Group Practice Sessions
With live class attendance, there will be a 30-minute optional interactive practice session directly following each class. You’ll be placed in an intimate group with several other participants on the conference call to interact, share, and do additional practices to help further integrate the weekly lessons. If you’re unable to attend the calls live, the Online Community group allows you to connect with each other to find alternative times to interact.
Writing Prompts for Deep Self-inquiry
After each lesson, you’ll receive a list of powerfully crafted writing prompts to accelerate your learning and integrate each week’s lesson.
Online Community
Our exclusive Facebook online community is the perfect place to continue your discovery process after each class. Here, you can continue the discussion about deepening practices and interact with your fellow students to take your exploration to an even deeper level.
The Liberating Your Authentic Writing Voice Bonus Collection
- The Questions That Matter: The Art of Self Inquiry
Audio Teaching From Mark Matousek
- The One Life We’re Given
Audio Dialogue With Mark Matousek and Mark Nepo
- The Heart Has Its Reasons: Learning the Language of Emotions
Audio Teaching From Mark Matousek
An Unprecedented Opportunity to Experience Liberating Your Authentic Writing Voice
We feel honored Mark Matousek has chosen to partner with The Shift Network to offer this exclusive LIVE online training. This is a rare opportunity to interact directly with a bestselling author, teacher, and expert in the art of personal awakening through writing.
Through this powerful online format, you’ll not only save time and money on workshop costs (plus travel, accommodations, and meals — which would cost thousands of dollars), you’ll be able to benefit from Mark’s incredible teachings and exercises from the comfort of your home — and at your own pace!
If you’re serious about bringing your unique story to fruition and your much-needed gifts to the world, then you owe it to yourself, your loved ones, and our world to take this one-of-a-kind training.
If you’re ready to take the next step in evolving yourself, click the register button below to reserve your space now.
Your Satisfaction Is 100% Guaranteed!
Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed! If you don’t absolutely LOVE Liberating Your Authentic Writing Voice with Mark Matousek — or don’t feel that it meets your needs — please contact our friendly Support Team on or before January 23, 2019 and we’ll happily issue you a refund.
More Praise for Mark Matousek...
“His classes will change the ways in which you examine your life...”
Mark Matousek’s writing instruction is transformative. His classes will change the ways in which you examine your life, and how you think about yourself as a writer. He approaches your work with a deep sense of empathy, allowing him to help you tell your story in your voice... No matter what stage of the process you are at, time spent with Mark will yield extraordinary results.
— Libuse Binder, Author of Ten Ways to Change the World in Your Twenties
“Mark Matousek is a truly gifted writing coach”
Mark Matousek is a truly gifted writing coach. With an interviewer’s ear, he listens deeply and hears what people have to say. With the determination of a midwife, he helps them give birth to themselves through their words. As my “book whisperer,” he is showing me that writing is truly a spiritual path, leading not only to publication but personal transformation. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from him!
— Gwenyth Jackaway, PhD, associate professor, Fordham University
“I’m deeply grateful for the experience”
The writing course I took with Mark Matousek was an amazing journey into the soul of each who took it. We found we were able to trust each other, thanks in large part to Mark starting our first class with the words, “You’re all here for a reason, even though you may not know what that reason is.” Over the course of just a handful of short sessions, I’ve come to realize that not only was I there for a reason, but that this reason was more important to my wellbeing and self-understanding than I could have possibly fathomed when I first signed on for this class... I’m deeply grateful for the experience.
— Brian Carr, President, Solid Threads
“The process is so enjoyable I’d rather it not end”
Mark is more of a midwife than a teacher. In addition to his innate grasp of and experience with storytelling, what makes Mark so great to work with is his very present presence — it’s what allows me to access what I’ve got to share. I’ve been meeting regularly with him for the past six months for help on the story I am writing and the process is so enjoyable I’d rather it not end.
— Jeannie Demers, freelance writer
“I know myself so much more deeply than ever before”
Mark Matousek is a masterful teacher. Being able to ask questions and listen as he answered others and worked with others in the class inspired so many insights in me as well. I am writing more and I know myself so much more deeply than ever before.
— Charlotte Ciraulo, Los Angeles, California
“Has returned me to a practice of daily writing...”
I have enjoyed the course and found it stimulating and growthful. Participation in the program has returned me to a practice of daily writing which I find highly beneficial... As well as the benefits I have gained, I would recommend the course for the excellence of the content, the graciousness of the presenters, and the positive effect of being held in a structure for the duration of the course...
— Frances McDonnell, Dublin, Ireland
“A true gift of listening to his students”
Mark’s an amazing teacher, always teaching in a powerful way with a big heart and a true gift of listening to his students and offering his insights and wisdom in a profound way.
— Judy, Ashland, Oregon
“Many gems and gold contained in these classes”
Mark is so knowledgeable; being in his class was exceptionally empowering... so many aha moments of inspiration you’ll receive, just by being open to listening. There were many gems and gold contained in these classes...
— Anonymous
“ I find myself saying what I truly think...”
I felt knots untying inside. I could breathe easier... I have been surprised by aspects of myself that I was not aware of, both positive and negative. I find myself saying what I truly think, things that I did not have the courage to say, and these are kind things!
— Beverley Manley, Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
“A rite of passage for writers”
[This course] should be a foundation course for truth seekers. The insightful exploration is a rite of passage for writers; the outcome will be life-changing as it was for me.— Anonymous
About Mark Matousek
Mark Matousek is a bestselling author, teacher, and speaker whose work focuses on personal awakening and creative excellence through self-inquiry and life writing. He’s an award-winning author of five books, has worked on The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, and collaborated with Andrew Harvey on Dialogues with a Modern Mystic. His first book, Sex Death Enlightenment: A True Story, became an international bestseller that was published in 10 countries and nominated for two Books for a Better Life awards.
A featured blogger for Psychology Today, Purple Clover, andHuffington Post, he’s contributed to numerous anthologies and publications, including The New Yorker, O: The Oprah Magazine (contributing editor), The New York Times Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, Yoga Journal, Details, The Saturday Evening Post, AARP, Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, and many others.
Mark, who’s on the faculty of Omega Institute for Holistic Studies and the New York Open Center, teaches transformational writing workshops around the U.S. and in Europe, and is the Creative Director of V-Men (with Eve Ensler), an organization devoted to ending violence against women and girls.
He brings three decades of experience as a memoirist, editor, interviewer, survivor, activist, and spiritual seeker to his penetrating and thought-provoking work with students. His workshops, classes, and mentoring have inspired thousands of people around the world to reach their artistic and personal goals and transform their lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s a virtual course?
A: It’s a great way to engage live and pre-recorded teachings and each other from the comfort of your home! All you need is a computer, mobile device, or telephone. If there’s more than one person in your household taking the course, you’ll each need your own connection. We use Zoom videoconferencing to make it just like an in-person event, where you can ask questions and deepen your exploration of the course themes.
There’s no additional charge for connecting to Zoom with your computer or mobile device. Please note that dialing Zoom from your telephone is a toll call; your telephone service provider will charge you according to your existing long-distance calling plan. International access numbers are available.
“I’ve never seen a course so well put together ever...”
I had never participated before in an online course. The packaging, presentation, inclusion, and Facebook postings created a wonderful, safe cocoon within which to participate. I’ve never seen a course so well put together ever — not in all the years of taking college classes — and I had my doubts about doing an online course. The wealth of organization and ease of learning materials and support made this fun as well.
— Claudia F., Medford, Massachusetts
Q: Can I get benefit from the course if I miss the live classes?
A: Absolutely! You can download the recordings and transcripts of all course sessions from our online media archive, so you never need to worry about missing live calls. You can also engage the full community and leaders on our private online community group.
Q: Can you tell me about the private online community group?
A: We’ll have a private online community group for all course participants on Facebook that will support you in making connections with others, sharing insights, engaging in discussions, and completing homework assignments that can supplement your transformational journey. You’ll have the ability to share your experiences, projects, and growth throughout the course.
Q: Are there scholarships available for this training?
A: Yes, we always make a certain percentage of spaces available for partial scholarships, giving preference to those in developing countries or doing important but underpaid work to which they can apply the training material immediately. If you’d like to apply for a scholarship, please review our guidelines, which include a link to our online application form.
Q: What’s your refund policy?
A: Your satisfaction with The Shift Network and this course is our highest priority! We offer a satisfaction guarantee so that you can sample the course risk-free. The deadline to receive a full refund is January 23, 2019. To request a refund, please click on this refund request form and submit your request. Your refund will be processed within five business days and we’ll send you an email confirming your refund. However, we’d love to have a chance to address and resolve your concerns first. If there’s something we can assist you with, please email us at support@theshiftnetwork.com and we’ll be happy to help! (No refund requests accepted after the above date or with scholarship awards.)
Q: How can I reach Customer Support?
A: Please visit our Customer Support Center, where you should be able to find the answer to your question or the solution to your problem. And if you can’t, you can submit an online request form and we’ll get right back to you.
