When I first participated in River Writing, I was instantly at ease when the Agreements were read and collectively agreed to. A gentle holding of the experience where the expectations are clear allowed for me to exhale and lean into the structure. I hope it does the same for you.
Non-Judgment
We agree to practice for the sake of practice without criticism, praise, or apology. We commit not to comment, and especially not to praise. We grant ourselves permission to write wildly, poorly, and even to fail. We write to discover: not to craft, claim, or prove. We offer the inner-critic a break from vigilance. We take respite in the joy-stealing realm of comparison.
Shared Responsibility
We agree to take responsibility for the impact of our words, actions, and energy. Our goal is to create a community of authentic inclusion. We agree that everyone matters; those within the circle and those without. We speak and act without racism, sexism, nationalism, ablism, agism, fat phobia, homophobia, transphobia, or other forms of bias. If we stumble, we acknowledge our mistakes and apologize. When we stumble, we stumble toward each other.
Self Care
We agree to attend to our own physical and emotional needs. We are ultimately responsible for our own level of disclosure.
Confidentiality & Consent
We live in a small town! We agree not to retell other writer’s stories. If we wish to speak with someone about their writing we will ask permission first, prepared to gracefully accept their decline. We will not ask during session but reach out once our time together is finished for the day. We agree not to offer unsolicited advice.
Honesty
We agree to say the truest thing we can say within our own level of disclosure. We agree to come as we are honoring all the versions of ourselves.
Listening with the Heart
We agree to listen whole-heartedly, without judgment and with attentive curiosity. When someone is reading or speaking, we give ourselves over to the luxury of listening without having to respond.
Kindness
We agree to practice radical kindness with each other. A kindness so radical it includes ourselves.
Inside Passage Wellness 