Erasure Poetry: A Mindful Practice for Educators

An activity table at the NAEA National Convention for the Caucus on the Spiritual in Art Education with colored pencils, printouts from two of bell hooks’ Teaching to Transgress, and stickers, April 2023.

Jenna S. Green

In today’s fast-paced world, mindfulness and other contemplative practices aid us in slowing down and returning to a compassionate, observational place. Within the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society’s Tree of Contemplative Practices can be found various approaches to practicing contemplation, such as contemplative arts and contemplative reading. So, how can we integrate more of these practices into art spaces, and how can we expand the meaning and practice of contemplative arts?

With this approach, educators can create introspective practices that reflect on their own words and the thoughts of those who have inspired them.

With so much emphasis on integrating mindfulness into art classrooms, museums, and community art programs, I wonder what artistic practices educators use for themselves to cultivate present-moment, compassionate awareness. How can they cultivate a sustainable practice that reinforces their teaching philosophy? And how often do they take time to ref lect on those philosophies? How can a mindful art practice, in this case, an erasure poetry practice, offer alternative ways to be mindful and present?

Mindful Exploration: Erasure Poetry
Erasure poetry is just one of hundreds of creative writing formats. With this approach, educators can create introspective practices that ref lect on their own words and the thoughts of those who have inspired them. The first time I experimented with this practice was as an activity at the Caucus in Spiritual Art Education’s Un-Business Meeting at the National Art Education 2023 Convention in San Antonio. I didn’t know who would show up, let alone what materials they would bring, so I provided pages from bell hooks’ Teaching to Transgress. While this has become a seminal text within educational spaces, it could also serve as a crucial text for art educators who cultivate mindfulness, center wholeness, and explore notions of well-being and holistic education.

The Erasure Poetry Process

1. Print your current teaching philosophy (this could be from your website, last review, or other means). If you do not have one, consider either writing one (up to a page) or printing a statement you admire.
2. Slowly read through the statement. Notice your breathing as you read each line. Be aware of how your body feels as you read.
3. After reading it the first time, sit still, close your eyes, and take several breaths.
4. Open your eyes and return to the statement. Identify one to three words that you consider essential parts of your teaching philosophy; these will be your anchor.
5. Identify connecting words to unify your thoughts.
6. With whatever writing materials you like (pencil, marker, colored pencil, etc.), work on covering up the remaining words. Here you can create shapes or designs around the anchors or connecting words.

Jenna S. Green is a PhD student in art and visual culture education at the University of Arizona. jsgreen@arizona.edu; jennashiragreen.com