For Phyllis Cole-Dai, mindfulness is “keeping my head and my heart where my body is … here and now.” In this interview with the poet, writer, community leader, and editor of the popular Poetry of Presence anthologies, we explore the role of mindfulness in a writing practice and how mindfulness helps our writing be in service to a larger community. How can our creative practice help further social justice? How can our creative practice honor “what is beautiful in every person, even the ones we have most strong disagreement with?” And how is joy an integral part of any practice, especially in a time of social upheaval?
Phyllis Cole-Dai began pecking away on an old manual typewriter in childhood and never stopped. She has authored or edited books in multiple genres, “writing across what divides us.” Originally from Ohio, she now resides with her scientist-husband and two cats in a 130-year-old house in Brookings, South Dakota. She invites you to join The Raft, her online community on Substack, where members ride the river of life, buoyed by the arts and spiritual practice (phylliscoledai.substack.com).
website: https://phylliscoledai.com
Online community (The Raft): phylliscoledai.substack.com
Poetry of Presence (both volumes): https://poetryofpresencebook.com
Exploring Poetry of Presence II: Prompts to Deepen Your Writing Practice
Episode 91: Phyllis Cole-Dai on Mindfulness and Social Justice