Comments

1. Sean Crawford (2019-10-27) #

   I suppose such a school would grow bit by bit, not all at once. I suppose coaches could be lured by the location, or the chance to meet other coaches.
   
   Speaking of location, at my local convention the volunteers would have fun taking big name guests to see nearby tourist attractions, and then guests may go back home and tell big names the convention is hospitable.
   
   An example of a small start might be a retreat in a cabin at a senior citizen nature lodge. Six people, then finally four, met to do a writer's retreat. They gave each other writing exercises to do, and then shared what they wrote. For example, if given only a first and third page, plus the back of the book, write the second page.
   
   In my home town decades ago some people formed the (Princess) Alexandra Writers Community Society, in an old school that held a community health centre. Later they moved into three rooms of four story old former elementary school, called "c-space" (It's cool, in Calgary) Next year they are hosting a Nobel prize winner as guest lecturer or coach (I forget the details)
   
   To me the "c" in that old school space means "creative" as all sorts of creative outfits have rooms in that school. (Textiles, painting, language, theatre and more) Call it a collection of masters.
   
   It all starts with someone willing to try something.
   
   A lady named Mary started up "Friday Free Fall" at the health centre. Some Fridays she would sit in her car watching the door and nobody else showed up. At last it grew too big for one room, and now I am one of the people who chair the Free Fall writing there.
   
   Incidentally, one of my joys in life is being around other students and masters, (yes, I'm a bit of a master myself) so I would go to such a school.

2. Trevor Meier (2019-10-27) #

   I would love this. It’s what I’m doing now, but I have to find my fellow students and locations myself. So far: Albuquerque (where an amazing couple host artists in their large former BnB), Thailand (where many digital nomads go and living is good and cheap), Paris (friends and fellow excellent artists with a couch), Brazil (a gracious host near the beach in a tranquil town) and a few others. Now I find peers and masters myself at each step; if instead this existed in a place, I would be there in a heartbeat.

3. Stephen Starkey (2019-10-28) #

   Love this! I've been working on similar ideas, but instead around mixing meditation and work. The first workshop I ran had excellent results.
   
   You've inspired me to try it again!
   
   I wrote my response to your post here: https://www.calmabiding.me/posts-output/2019-10-28-mastery-workshop.html

4. Nino (2019-10-28) #

   Super inspiring.
   
   in my field there is Joseph Bartz that i follow that did something like that!
   
   http://josephbartz.de/en/school.html
   
   Nice example! In that case they're teaching movement/yoga. In my idea it could be anything. Go there to learn chess or archery or drawing or whatever you want. You'll be learning online, but the coaches (not teachers) will help guide your path to mastery. — Derek

5. Nino (2019-10-28) #

   Your Imaginary school, What is teaching?

6. Jackie Mackay (2019-11-02) #

   Great idea. All England’s local councils have large (some. Quite grand) old houses delapidatef from being unoccupied and with overgrown gardens. Some have Wells and all have gardens. So some of the coaches can be gardeners and so forth.
   
   Focus on your skills by renovating properties.
   
   Just a thought.
   
   How do I share (send to friend) individual titles?
   
   I so appreciate your letters.
   
   Love Jackie

7. Ido (2020-03-27) #

   Hey Derek,
   thanks for sharing this. I like the idea of giving people what they need so they could take their own path towards mastery.
   
   By the way, I love the compression in EQ on your voice! It makes listening much more lively.
   
   Best,
   Ido

8. Slavko (2020-07-15) #

   A sanctuary of self-directed and assisted learning.
   
   Whatever the name, that sounds like the right subtitle.
   
   I imagine that the experts on learning are proficient in critical thinking, research methods, pedagogy, and perhaps psychology. Some of them understand how to motivate participants, how to guide them through a process, address their fears, insecurities, lack of discipline. Productivity techniques, journaling, and self-assessment strategies are being taught and encouraged.
   
   Participants group together according to their preferences for collaborative learning and their preferred learning style. Some study in solitude. Nevertheless, peers are always available to talk about things of interest.
   
   Such a lovely place!

9. Ki (2022-03-12) #

   Derek, I am going to do this.
   
   The past few years I have been collecting a few small, rural, funky mountain properties, with no desire to rent them for profit. I call them my "What If" spaces - they are MY pets. Artist retreats, wedding venues, intro to offgrid Airbnbs... all exciting but not quite right.
   
   We homeschool the Ron Paul way - self led exploration, daily blog, focus on writing. Capstone projects.
   
   So maybe, a homeschool, for grown ups.
   
   An ashram for all.
   
   Namasté indeed, sir!