CA Point of Reference 1.jpg
CA Point of Reference 1.jpg

Creative Awakening: Point of Reference

from $0.00

“When we don’t have context, new ideas appear foreign or awkward. Sometimes the ideas that least match our expectations are the most innovative. By definition, revolutionary ideas have no context.” - Rick Rubin, The Creative Act: A Way of Being

At our November 17th session, we’ll be exploring point of reference. How does it impact our receptivity to new ideas? What strengths and limitations do our unique point of view create?

Facilitators and participants alike will share experiences of working with art, aesthetics, and life itself. This is a participatory program built on collective reflection, nudging us towards greater playfulness and presence.

Applying curiosity and compassion to our journey, we begin to discern and emulate the aspects that most resonate, and make a new relationship with what feels dissonant or out of reach. Through both, we can increase our appreciation and manifestation of creativity.

This is not an art class. You are not required to paint, sing, or produce anything. That said, if the content and practices move you to create, that would be even better.

Each session we use a chapter from Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act: A Way of Being as our guiding text, but it’s OK if you haven’t read the book before attending.

This 75-minute session includes:

  • Opening reflections on key themes from Alessandra Otero and Adam Berner

  • Discussion of the “Nature as Teacher” chapter of Rick Rubin‘s "The Creative Act"

  • Shared dialogue around your experiences applying mindfulness to art, nature, and creative living

  • Practical insights you can bring to everyday life

Schedule‍ ‍
Tuesday, November 17, 2026, 7pm–8:15pm Eastern time (via Zoom)

What You're Committing To
This session stands on its own—no commitment to attend future sessions. Some people come every month as part of the ongoing Creative Awakening series; others join for a single topic that speaks to them. You are welcome either way. For this session, we ask that you:

  • Participate thoughtfully in discussion, either by speaking or contributing in the chat. Much of the value comes from the richness and variety of perspectives that each person brings to the room.

  • Help create a respectful and confidential space for fellow group members

  • Apply whatever resonates in how you appreciate and engage creatively with your life

Registration Options
We want this program to remain accessible while supporting the ongoing charitable work of Mindfulness For Life.

Anchor Club Members — Free. Select the "Anchor Club Members" registration option. As this program exists to fund Mindfulness For Life's charitable mission, any additional contribution is warmly welcomed. We suggest $30 per session, though no amount is too small and none is required.

Not a member yet? Join the Anchor Club and attend this series at no additional cost:

  • $9.99/month or

  • $99/year

After joining, simply return here and register using the free member option.

Non-Members — $30. Want to give more? Sponsor, Patron, and Benefactor tiers are available for those with the means to contribute additional support. These donations help us provide free and low-cost mindfulness training to frontline caregivers and community advocates.

PLEASE NOTE: Registration closes one half hour before the program’s start time.

A note on experience
All experience levels are welcome, including beginners. Our focus is on the applied practice of mindfulness—especially as it relates to aesthetic appreciation and creative living. Though we will not be teaching formal meditation techniques, we're confident this will be meaningful and accessible wherever you are in your practice.

Contrbution Level:

“When we don’t have context, new ideas appear foreign or awkward. Sometimes the ideas that least match our expectations are the most innovative. By definition, revolutionary ideas have no context.” - Rick Rubin, The Creative Act: A Way of Being

At our November 17th session, we’ll be exploring point of reference. How does it impact our receptivity to new ideas? What strengths and limitations do our unique point of view create?

Facilitators and participants alike will share experiences of working with art, aesthetics, and life itself. This is a participatory program built on collective reflection, nudging us towards greater playfulness and presence.

Applying curiosity and compassion to our journey, we begin to discern and emulate the aspects that most resonate, and make a new relationship with what feels dissonant or out of reach. Through both, we can increase our appreciation and manifestation of creativity.

This is not an art class. You are not required to paint, sing, or produce anything. That said, if the content and practices move you to create, that would be even better.

Each session we use a chapter from Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act: A Way of Being as our guiding text, but it’s OK if you haven’t read the book before attending.

This 75-minute session includes:

  • Opening reflections on key themes from Alessandra Otero and Adam Berner

  • Discussion of the “Nature as Teacher” chapter of Rick Rubin‘s "The Creative Act"

  • Shared dialogue around your experiences applying mindfulness to art, nature, and creative living

  • Practical insights you can bring to everyday life

Schedule‍ ‍
Tuesday, November 17, 2026, 7pm–8:15pm Eastern time (via Zoom)

What You're Committing To
This session stands on its own—no commitment to attend future sessions. Some people come every month as part of the ongoing Creative Awakening series; others join for a single topic that speaks to them. You are welcome either way. For this session, we ask that you:

  • Participate thoughtfully in discussion, either by speaking or contributing in the chat. Much of the value comes from the richness and variety of perspectives that each person brings to the room.

  • Help create a respectful and confidential space for fellow group members

  • Apply whatever resonates in how you appreciate and engage creatively with your life

Registration Options
We want this program to remain accessible while supporting the ongoing charitable work of Mindfulness For Life.

Anchor Club Members — Free. Select the "Anchor Club Members" registration option. As this program exists to fund Mindfulness For Life's charitable mission, any additional contribution is warmly welcomed. We suggest $30 per session, though no amount is too small and none is required.

Not a member yet? Join the Anchor Club and attend this series at no additional cost:

  • $9.99/month or

  • $99/year

After joining, simply return here and register using the free member option.

Non-Members — $30. Want to give more? Sponsor, Patron, and Benefactor tiers are available for those with the means to contribute additional support. These donations help us provide free and low-cost mindfulness training to frontline caregivers and community advocates.

PLEASE NOTE: Registration closes one half hour before the program’s start time.

A note on experience
All experience levels are welcome, including beginners. Our focus is on the applied practice of mindfulness—especially as it relates to aesthetic appreciation and creative living. Though we will not be teaching formal meditation techniques, we're confident this will be meaningful and accessible wherever you are in your practice.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I need to do any reading in advance? No need to read anything ahead of time. Each session centers on a chapter from The Creative Act, and we'll discuss its themes and draw on select quotations, but you don't need to have read it to follow along or participate fully. That said, if you do read the chapter beforehand, you may find it enhances your experience.

Do I need meditation experience? Not at all. Our focus is on the applied practice of mindfulness rather than formal meditation technique, and everyone who participates can develop real skills in that area. That said, if you already have a meditation practice, you'll likely find rich new ways to deepen and expand it.

Do I have to talk or be on camera? Active participation is an important part of this series. Much of the learning comes through shared dialogue and collective reflection. You're welcome to participate in the way that feels most comfortable—speaking, contributing in the chat, or keeping your camera off—and we ask everyone to engage and share in some form.

Do I need to attend every month? No. Each session is standalone, so you're welcome to join whenever a topic speaks to you, whether that's once or every month.

Is this a Buddhist program? No. This program is open and accessible to people of any or no spiritual background. Lama Adam brings extensive training in mindfulness, meditation, and contemplative wellbeing of many varieties, including deep immersion in the Buddhist tradition, which influences how he thinks and teaches. Modern mindfulness as we know it has deep roots in Buddhist practice and philosophy, and Buddhist concepts may come up when they're useful—but always in service of understanding, never as doctrine. Everyone is welcome exactly as they are.

How does the pricing work?

  • Non-members: $30 per session — or join the Anchor Club for $9.99/month or $99/year and attend free

  • Anchor Club members: free, with a suggested donation of $30 to support our charitable mission

  • Sponsor, Patron, and Benefactor tiers help support free and low-cost programs for frontline caregivers

Will sessions be recorded? Yes. No one's image or voice will be shared publicly without their explicit consent. That said, Mindfulness For Life may use the facilitators’ contributions for future educational content, and participants may be invited to have their own comments included as well. Any transcripts or excerpts released from these sessions will have all identifying information removed by default.