Lessons From An American Stoic: How Emerson Can Change Your Life

In this interactive three-part series, Mark guides you through a trio of essential wisdom lessons from Ralph Waldo Emerson, America’s greatest Stoic master.

In each 90-minute session, Mark provides background for the lesson at hand then guides you through two Writing to Awaken practices designed to show how these timeless teachings can improve your quality of life in these troubled times. There will be optional breakout groups after each writing, followed by a Q/A and conversation.

Known for his provocative questions, Mark creates a safe, enjoyable atmosphere of creative encouragement and mutual support. No previous writing experience is necessary to benefit from this course. Writing to Awaken is Mark’s unique method for self-discovery and has helped thousands of people around the world to reach their personal, professional, and spiritual goals.

Class Flow

• In Week One, Know Thyself, you’ll learn about Emerson’s vision of self-reliance, and why it’s necessary to be truthful and courageous on the path to psychological and spiritual awakening.
• In Week Two, The Journey Out, you’ll consider the impacts of the outer world on your well-being, and the Stoic dictum that nothing can hurt you without your permission — a critical truth for us today.
• In Week Three, The Purpose of Wonder, you investigate the higher tier for our human emotions — reverence, awe, sacredness, enlightenment — and why these self-transcending feelings are essential for a balanced and happy life.

This is going to be an inspiring, eye-opening series and we hope that you can join us!  A lifelong Emerson lover, Mark is the author of eight books, including Emerson, the Stoics & Me: Timeless Wisdom for Living an Authentic Life, and Writing to Awaken: A Journey of Truth, Transformation, and Self-Discovery, and a contributor to Sam Harris’s Waking Up app, among many of other publications.

“Mark is a masterful and loving guide: his wisdom teachings and brilliantly conceived questions will enable you to dissolve the coverings and open to life-changing truth. You don’t need skill in writing to partake; all that’s required is the longing to awaken your heart.”   ~ Tara Brach