Welcome to

The Dojo

a creative sanctuary for igniting, tending, and protecting your creative fire.

Warning #1 

The dojo is a place one enters to learn, practice, and fall on the mat many times.

If you are not prepared to learn, practice (as in take many consistent small actions), and fall on the metaphoric “mat” many times and get back up, this place is not for you. 

But don’t be sad if you don’t feel prepared.

There’s a place we have to get you prepared. If you’re feeling a little lost or disoriented at the moment go to “Orientation”… and come back when you’re ready. 

Warning #2

The dojo is a place for creative sprints and sparring. 

If your ego is prone to injury, if you haven’t committed to a craft, medium or project, and if you don’t have any creative skillset developed beyond “extreme beginner” the dojo is not for you. 

But take heart, because you might be in “The Range of Exploration” phase of the creative life which is honestly one of the most fun phases in the cycle of creativity. Go have fun, explore, discover, and come back to the dojo when you are ready to commit to creating something and your ego can take a few hits. 

The Dojo is for the second stage of geidō.

In Japanese aesthetics, “geidō” is the name for the method by which we become masters at any art. It’s as true for painting and calligraphy as it is for a tea ceremony or aikido. According to geidō, every master has to go through three stages:

First Stage: a commitment to the art. This may take some time.

Second Stage: we devote our time to largely mimicking a master of that art form. In this stage, we learn how to see the world like the master does, in what’s called a “heart-to-heart” transmission.

Third Stage: when the artist expresses themselves and steps out of their master’s shadow. They can do whatever they enjoy or choose to do, but with mindlessness (mushin) and a sense of whimsical play (yuge). Imagine Pollock splashing his canvas or Lennon/McCartney jamming.

Training & Practices

Digging for Buried Treasure

X marks the spot to essential creative treasures we were taught to bury long ago. This is an 8 week personal archeological dig for that good stuff we grew ashamed of and hid away.

  • Stubbornness

  • Weirdness 

  • Childhood & Curiosity 

  • Rebellion

  • Being Judgmental 

  • Delight

  • Silliness & Playfulness

  • Uselessness 

  • Inventiveness 

  • Fierceness & Wildness 

  • Enthusiasm 

  • Intensity

  • Obsession 

  • Pride

The Creative Burn

a 6 week rite of passage “challenge” to re-ignite, tend, and protect your creative fire and grow your creative soul. 

WEEK 1: The Spark – Lighting Matches

WEEK 2: The Friction – Facing Resistance 

WEEK 3: The Burn – Pain is initiation, not punishment. 

WEEK 4: The Forge – Turn Pain into Power

WEEK 5: The Hearth Keeper – Endurance & Devotion

WEEK 6: The Torch – Carry the Fire Forward

Toolkits & Tools of the Trade

Weapons of Mass Creation

Play

Curiosity

Wonder & Whimsy

The Sublime

Intuition

Vision

Faith & Belief

Action

Process

Collaboration & Feedback

Reflection & Retrospectives 

Practice & Devotion