Natalie Goldberg

Natalie Goldberg is a renowned American author, writing teacher, and Zen practitioner, best known for blending creative writing with spiritual practice. Born on January 4, 1948, in Brooklyn, New York, she studied at George Washington University and later immersed herself in Zen Buddhism under the guidance of Dainin Katagiri Roshi. Her approach to writing as a form of meditation and personal inquiry has influenced countless writers and artists worldwide.

As an influential author, Goldberg gained widespread recognition with her groundbreaking book Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within (1986), which has sold over a million copies and remains a classic in the field of writing instruction. Her other works, such as Wild Mind, Thunder and Lightning, and The True Secret of Writing, continue to guide writers toward authenticity and mindfulness. Through her workshops and books, she encourages a writing practice that is honest, fearless, and grounded in observation and presence.

Goldberg is known for simple yet profound quotes that reflect her commitment to both creativity and clarity. One of her most well-known insights is: “Write what disturbs you, what you fear, what you have not been willing to speak about. Be willing to be split open.” She also teaches: “Stress is an ignorant state. It believes that everything is an emergency.” On the writing life, she advises: “Whether you’re keeping a journal or writing as meditation, it’s the same thing. What’s important is you’re having a relationship with your mind.” These quotes illustrate Natalie Goldberg’s vision of writing as a deeply personal and transformative act.