How can a conscious awareness of death and dying help enrich our living?

When we embrace the shared elements of living—loss, grief, and death—we become more present to the beauty and exquisiteness of our lives. Far from being “morbid” or “depressing,” the stories we discover bring us closer to ourselves and each other. 

In this writing circle, we will write in response to prompts intended to help us explore our relationship with death and dying.

Why writing? 

The process of writing—as opposed to conversation—gives us the opportunity to go inward first, to discover what lies beyond what we know, and then to share with others if we choose. 

No writing experience is necessary—only a curiosity about how an increased consciousness around death and dying can help us live more mindfully and authentically.

This writing circle is for anyone who…

…has experienced loss
…wants to age with grace and courage
…is any age and wants to feel more solid with Self and others
… is curious about the mysterious and the unknown
…is interested in the growing cultural conversation about death and dying 

“Whatever fears I might have carried into Nancy’s circle, her warmth and wisdom dissolved them early on. She crafted insightful prompts that led to a deeper opening of my thoughts and feelings in the ongoing conversation of living and dying. With grace, Nancy leads the way by making the uncomfortable comfortable.”
—Marilyn Weisenburg, Portland, OR

ABOUT NANCY LINNON

Nancy has been teaching writing and facilitating groups for almost thirty years. She has published in several literary journals and magazines and began her career as a journalist for U.S. News & World Report. She holds a master’s from Brown University and an MFA from Antioch University.

She began her studies to be an end-of-life doula—someone who accompanies a person on their journey with death—in Ireland. She is certified by the International Association of End-of-Life Doulas (INELDA).

Many people have remarked that her work as an end-of-life doula is a departure from teaching writing, but she sees an organic throughline.

Death is a part of life waiting to be known—as are the multitude of stories within us.