Online Masterclass - Haiku and Mindfulness with Owen Bullock

Join Owen Bullock for an enlightening journey into the world of haiku and mindfulness! We'll kick off with an engaging talk on the magic of haiku — how these tiny poems capture profound moments and what makes them so impactful. 

Then, we'll delve into the fascinating connection between haiku and mindfulness, guided by Jon Kabat-Zinn’s inspiring definition: 'Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgementally.' Through vivid examples from literature, we'll uncover how mindful haiku reflect these qualities and explore other unique elements that bring haiku to life.

You’ll work in small groups to discuss these examples, then unleash your creativity in hands-on workshop exercises designed to sharpen your observation skills and spark your imagination. We’ll wrap up the session with a shared reading of the haiku you create and leave time for your questions.

About the Presenter

Owen Bullock has published five collections of haiku, including Summer Haiku (2019), River’s Edge (2016), Urban Haiku (2015), Breakfast with Epiphanies (2012), and Wild Camomile (2009); a bilingual collection of tanka, Uma rocha enorme que anda à roda (‘A big rock that turns around’), translated into Portuguese by Francisco Carvalho (Temas Originais, 2021); four books of poetry, including Pancakes for Neptune (2023), Work & Play (2017), Semi (2017), Sometimes the Sky Isn’t Big Enough (2010); and the novella A Cornish Story (2010). He teaches Creative Writing at the University of Canberra. Other interests include music, juggling and chess. You can find him on socials at @OwenTrail.

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