Writing as Meditation
Write, Journal, Novel, Create or Compose Your Way to Inner Peace
Jan 16, 2008 Victoria Anisman-Reiner
There are many forms of meditation, ranging from the esoteric to the most ordinary of daily activities. One of the most profound forms of "unconventional" meditation is writing. From published writers, to amateurs, to those who "don't write" but keep a diary or journal, putting thoughts on the page can be an important way of clearing the mind and connecting with spirituality and inner peace.
Julia Cameron: The Right to Write and The Artist's Way
Julia Cameron is a film director, author, and the creator of the inspirational writer's workshop, The Artist's Way. She often discusses writing as a spiritual pursuit, and believes that everyone has an artistic side; most people just don't know how "to let themselves be creative."
Cameron sees art and creativity as part of our destiny and purpose as human beings: "Our creativity is our gift from God. Our use of it is our gift to God. Accepting this bargain is the beginning of true self-acceptance."
Julia Cameron encourages not only writers but anyone interested in exploring their creativity to write daily "morning pages" – three pages of free, spontaneous writing done early in the morning to open the mental pathways and clear up anything floating around in the subconscious or conscious mind.
Writing down our thoughts, in whatever form, is a profound way to discover exactly what we think, feel and believe. Julia Cameron teaches that by allowing ourselves to be genuine on the page, we open doorways to being more real in the rest of our lives.
Henriette Klauser: Write It Down, Make It Happen
In Write It Down, Make It Happen, Henriette Klauser discusses another facet of writing – its ability to help a person express what they truly want and to manifest it.
Typical meditations help to clear the mind and create harmonious, congruent patterns of thought and energy. Like any meditation, writing can be helpful in creating clarity of purpose and manifesting those intentions, dreams and desires.
Henriette Klauser teaches people that there is no right or wrong way to do writing! Keeping a journal, writing a novel, or jotting stray thoughts on scraps of paper are equally valuable in helping us find our center, developing our thoughts and beliefs, and learning how to resolve problems and create the lives we want to live.
Writers on the Impact of Writing
It is not uncommon for professional and amateur writers to say they find solace in the written word. Writing enables us to connect with ourselves in a way that is different from any other form of creativity or self-expression.
Toronto writer D.J. Sylvis says he derives the same benefit from writing as his wife does from her daily meditation practice. "It's definitely something I believe in strongly."
Veterans of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) have been known to talk about how good they feel while NaNoWriMo is on, during November, and the practical insight that writing provides into their own psyches.
One 2005 NaNoWriMo participant asked fellow writers, "Are all of your characters you?" Each of the characters that peopled his novel reflected a part of himself, making the noveling process vital and revealing.
Whatever your style or approach to writing, taking the time to express yourself on paper can be a significant meditative act – and may reveal profound insights and results.
Related reading:
- Julia Cameron: Keep the Drama on the Page
Writing Meditation: Ease the Mind, Soothe the Soul
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