---
title: "15 Way Quotes By Natalie Goldberg"
description: "15 Way quotes by Natalie Goldberg. Plus more from Natalie Goldberg and more Way sayings from other authors."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee8/natalie-goldberg-1741_inspirational_to-stay-close-and-intimate-with-experien_141731.png"
---

> [To stay close and intimate with experience is to stay close to the mind; the nitty gritty mind of the way things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/to-stay-close-and-intimate-with-experience-is-to-stay-close-to-the/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee8/natalie-goldberg-1741_inspirational_to-stay-close-and-intimate-with-experien_141731.png)

> [One poem or story doesn't matter one way or the other. It's the process of writing and life that matters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/one-poem-or-story-doesn-t-matter-one-way-or-the-other-it-s-the/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cac/natalie-goldberg-1741_inspirational_one-poem-or-story-doesn-t-matter-one-way_3190038.png)

> [When I wrote and got out of the way, writing did writing.” (p.90)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/when-i-wrote-and-got-out-of-the-way-writing-did-writing-p-90/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f53/natalie-goldberg-1741_way_when-i-wrote-and-got-out-of-the-way-writ_305540.png)

> [Oh, my passion! That is what finally carried me through. Let passion burn all the way, heating up every layer of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/oh-my-passion-that-is-what-finally-carried-me-through-let-passion/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e74/natalie-goldberg-1741_heating_oh-my-passion-that-is-what-finally-carri_2763318.png)

> [Be tough in the way a blade of grass is: rooted, willing to lean, and at peace with what is around it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/be-tough-in-the-way-a-blade-of-grass-is-rooted-willing-to-lean-and-at/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aff/natalie-goldberg-1741_blade_be-tough-in-the-way-a-blade-of-grass-is_1081048.png)

> [Original details are very ordinary, except to the mind that sees extraordinariness. it's not that we need to go to the Hopi…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/original-details-are-very-ordinary-except-to-the-mind-that-sees/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63c/natalie-goldberg-1741_details_original-details-are-very-ordinary-excep_2596977.png)

> [In a way, the cancer became an ally because it stopped me from running around so much. I was able to settle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/in-a-way-the-cancer-became-an-ally-because-it-stopped-me-from-running/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/979/natalie-goldberg-1741_able_in-a-way-the-cancer-became-an-ally-becau_165594.png)

> [The positive thing about writing is that you connect with yourself in the deepest way. You get a chance to know who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/the-positive-thing-about-writing-is-that-you-connect-with-yourself-in/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/386/natalie-goldberg-1741_chance_the-positive-thing-about-writing-is-that_2355007.png)

> [What writing practice, like Zen practice does is bring you back to the natural state of mind...The mind is raw, full of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/what-writing-practice-like-zen-practice-does-is-bring-you-back-to-the-2/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e51/natalie-goldberg-1741_alive_what-writing-practice-like-zen-practice_2495814.png)

> [Learning to write is not a linear process. There is no logical A-to-B-to-C way to become a good writer. One neat truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/learning-to-write-is-not-a-linear-process-there-is-no-logical-a-to-b/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/natalie-goldberg-1741_answers_learning-to-write-is-not-a-linear-proces_1999862.png)

> [Use original detail in your writing. Life is so rich, if you can write down the real details of the way things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/use-original-detail-in-your-writing-life-is-so-rich-if-you-can-write/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/967/natalie-goldberg-1741_details_use-original-detail-in-your-writing-life_539828.png)

> [That daydreaming seemed important at the time, but when I asked my teacher Katagiri Roshi about it, he said, "Oh, it's just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/that-daydreaming-seemed-important-at-the-time-but-when-i-asked-my/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/632/natalie-goldberg-1741_daydreaming_that-daydreaming-seemed-important-at-the_3033419.png)

> [If you're having difficulty coming up with new ideas, then slow down. For me, slowing down has been a tremendous source of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/if-you-re-having-difficulty-coming-up-with-new-ideas-then-slow-down/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4e/natalie-goldberg-1741_art_if-you-re-having-difficulty-coming-up-wi_1253782.png)

> [ Let's say I've directed that \[writing\] energy into writing my latest book but suddenly, I really want to write about an onion.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/let-s-say-i-ve-directed-that-writing-energy-into-writing-my-latest/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d8/natalie-goldberg-1741_book_let-s-say-i-ve-directed-that-writing-ene_1176445.png)

> [This is what metaphor is. It is not saying that an ant is an elephant. Perhaps; both are alive. No. Metaphor is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/this-is-what-metaphor-is-it-is-not-saying-that-an-ant-is-an-elephant/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9d/natalie-goldberg-1741_alive_this-is-what-metaphor-is-it-is-not-sayin_1587160.png)

## Other authors on Way

## More by Natalie Goldberg

> [“We heard about people who go back to their roots. That is good, but don't get stuck in the root. There is the branch,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/we-heard-about-people-who-go-back-to-their-roots-that-is-good-but-don/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

> [Over and over, we have to go back to the beginning. We should not be ashamed of this. It is good. It's like drinking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/over-and-over-we-have-to-go-back-to-the-beginning-we-should-not-be/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

> [I feel very rich when I have time to write and very poor when I get a regular paycheck and no time at my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/i-feel-very-rich-when-i-have-time-to-write-and-very-poor-when-i-get-a/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

> [Actually, when I look at my old notebooks, I think I have been a bit self-indulgent and have given myself too much time to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/actually-when-i-look-at-my-old-notebooks-i-think-i-have-been-a-bit/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

> [Our bodies are garbage heaps: we collect experience, and from the decomposition of the thrown-out eggshells, spinach leaves, coffee grinds, and old steak bones…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/our-bodies-are-garbage-heaps-we-collect-experience-and-from-the/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

> [Know that you will eventually have to leave everything behind; the writing will demand it of you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/know-that-you-will-eventually-have-to-leave-everything-behind-the/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

> [To encounter a fine book and have time to read it is a wonderful thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/to-encounter-a-fine-book-and-have-time-to-read-it-is-a-wonderful-thing/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

> [In the past few years I've assigned books to be read before a student attends one of my weeklong seminars. I have been astonished…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/in-the-past-few-years-i-ve-assigned-books-to-be-read-before-a-student/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

> [“When you draw and pay attention to what is, it's a form of being present. This inspires the mind, makes it happy, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/when-you-draw-and-pay-attention-to-what-is-it-s-a-form-of-being/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

> [Poetry is a dumb Buddha who thinks a donkey is as important as a diamond.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/poetry-is-a-dumb-buddha-who-thinks-a-donkey-is-as-important-as-a/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

> [I told all kinds of stories about going to Japan, about playing ball with my father... I wanted to record my life in case…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/i-told-all-kinds-of-stories-about-going-to-japan-about-playing-ball/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

> [“No matter what a person does to cover up and conceal themselves, when we write and lose control, I can spot a person from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/no-matter-what-a-person-does-to-cover-up-and-conceal-themselves-when/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

> [To stay close and intimate with experience is to stay close to the mind; the nitty gritty mind of the way things really are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/to-stay-close-and-intimate-with-experience-is-to-stay-close-to-the/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

> [I read Eve Ensler and thought it was fabulous. Not only that, but it was really the only thing I could relate to about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/i-read-eve-ensler-and-thought-it-was-fabulous-not-only-that-but-it/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

> [If you feel bored or uncomfortable as you're writing, ask yourself what's bothering you and write about that. Sometimes your creative energy is like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/if-you-feel-bored-or-uncomfortable-as-you-re-writing-ask-yourself/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

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                        "text": "What writing practice, like Zen practice does is bring you back to the natural state of mind...The mind is raw, full of energy, alive and hungry. It does not think in the way we were brought up to think-well-mann ered, congenial.",
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                        "text": "Learning to write is not a linear process. There is no logical A-to-B-to-C way to become a good writer. One neat truth about writing cannot answer it all. There are many truths. To do writing practice means to deal ultimately with your whole life.",
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                        "text": "Use original detail in your writing. Life is so rich, if you can write down the real details of the way things were and are, you hardly need anything else.",
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                        "text": "That daydreaming seemed important at the time, but when I asked my teacher Katagiri Roshi about it, he said, \"Oh, it's just laziness. Get to work.\" But as for discipline, I don't even use that word. I think more about passion or love. What I've really learned is the way the mind moves, and how the mind works. Rather than discipline, I know how to seduce my mind.",
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                        "text": "If you're having difficulty coming up with new ideas, then slow down. For me, slowing down has been a tremendous source of creativity. It has allowed me to open up -- to know that there's life under the earth and that I have to let it come through me in a new way. Creativity exists in the present moment. You can't find it anywhere else.",
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                        "text": "Let's say I've directed that [writing] energy into writing my latest book but suddenly, I really want to write about an onion. I don't say to myself, \"No, you have stay on the subject,\" because I know that the longer I stay on the subject the more boring I get. So, if my mind wants to write about an onion, it might be a deeper way to go into what I'm working on, even though it might seem irrelevant. This is how I've learned to follow my mind.",
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                        "text": "This is what metaphor is. It is not saying that an ant is an elephant. Perhaps; both are alive. No. Metaphor is saying the ant is an elephant. Now, logically speaking, I know there is a difference. If you put elephants and ants before me, I believe that every time I will correctly identify the elephant and the ant. So metaphor must come from a very different place than that of the logical, intelligent mind. It comes from a place that is very courageous, willing to step out of our preconceived ways of seeing things and open so large that it can see the oneness in an ant and in an elephant.",
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