Bodhisattva
of writing 1.) acknowledge the suffering caused by mainstream writing education
from future-oriented rhetoric and assignments; 2.) realign each occasion of
writing instruction and each writing experience so that each occurs in a present
moment; and 3.) accept the uncertainty that comes from ways of teaching that do not pursue fixed outcomes and polished pieces of writing.
Bodhisattva of writing willingly swap the traditional
certainties of future-oriented thinking for impermanence and interconnection.
Bodhisattva of writing know that the intrapersonal
comes with many messes and imperfections but still seek out the intrapersonal,
no longer kowtowing to hypothetical audiences of the hypothetical future.
Bodhisattva of writing welcome not being in control
and are happy to teach preverbal, prewriting, the fragmentary, nonverbal, and
even no-writing.
Bodhisattva of writing make these changes in their
teaching because they know that writing calm and equanimity are infinitely more
valuable learning outcomes than getting students to accomplish a perfect rhetorical
analysis essay.
Most importantly, bodhisattva of writing turn to
themselves to see the ways in which they suffer as writers. If we do not
address how we suffer with our own writing, how we engage in mindlessness as
writers, we will pass suffering on to our students, our friends, and our
family.
