On the Edge

"Most people are naturally creative and are somehow aware that they've cut off this unique part of themselves. When they hear there is a place to express this uniqueness, it means a chance to fulfil a deep, long-held wish... the purpose of the Mastery is to discover that you create your own creativity. At each moment, you have the choice of turning it on or off - to create or not to create. Only you can do it. Making the creative alternatives available is the goal of everything we do on the Mastery"

Thus wrote Dan Fauci, creator of the Mastery of Self-Expression workshop, the subject of ‘On the Edge' by Christine Kimberley.

‘The Mastery of Self-Expression' was created in the USA in 1976. Since then it has travelled the world, and an estimated 30,000 people have experienced it. It began as a workshop designed to reconnect actors to their passion and to give them a place, and a space, to explore and take risks with their creative abilities; an opportunity not only to free themselves from self-censorship, negative evaluations and the endless chatter of ‘I can't' but also to experience their creativity in the moment as they exceed the thoughts of ‘I can't'.

‘On the Edge' is a celebration of this work and chronicles its journey across the globe and beyond the confines of professional performers. From its beginnings in a loft in the meat district of New York to Paramount Studios, from Findhorn in Scotland to Neve shalom/Wahat al-salaam in Israel, from Hollywood household names (Ted Danson wrote the Foreword) to well known brand names across the world and people from all walks of life, ‘The Mastery' has had a considerable, often life-changing, impact on those who have encountered it first-hand.
Having trained to lead the workshop herself twenty-five years ago, Christine set out to create a lasting record of what she believes to be one of the most potent and valuable contributions to the personal growth and development movement. A book seemed the obvious choice.

She approached the problem of how to capture on paper an experience that is simultaneously universal and uniquely personal by inviting leaders and participants alike to contribute. Some came to the work when AIDS first reared its ugly head and a specific ‘AIDS Mastery' was created in response. It too is well-chronicled here.
The end result, including a contribution from Dan Fauci himself, is a vivid picture of what it is like to be a part of this work and lead such a dynamic experience, how it has developed, and the impact it has all over the world. All of which makes it easy to see why the workshop is still popular today. The book's design (illustrations by Lorna Hamilton-Brown) reflects the content beautifully.

As writer and journalist, Ellen Snortland reflected; "Creativity can't be captured; it can only be created in the moment. Moment by moment, Christine Kimberley's ‘On the Edge' captures some of the best creative minds."

‘On the Edge' is available from www.christinekimberley.com