Thoughts on Writing
Welcome back to the work week, everyone. Here’s a brief post for the day, inspired by a long, rejuvenating weekend where I did only the things that nourish me, including writing.
Julia Cameron says, “We should write because humans are spiritual beings and writing is a powerful form of prayer and meditation, connecting us both to our own insights and to a higher and deeper level of inner guidance.”
Do you agree? Do you use writing as a form of prayer and meditation? I asked two of our own authors for their insight on the topic. I knew they would say something beautiful to say. That their answers are so similar does not surprise me at all.
Sara Wiseman, author of Writing the Divine: How to Use Channeling for Soul Growth and Healing
“Using writing as a spiritual practice is like praying on paper. It’s an effortless way to connect to the ‘still, small voice’ that is both the Divine and also our true selves. Whether you write with pen or keyboard, writing lets you open the floodgates of voice: inner voice, voice of higher self, Divine voice, universal voice — it’s all the same. Often, we are surprised by what flows out of our pens! This is because when we connect deeply to the Divine in writing, as well as in the practices of prayer and meditation, we discover the truth of what we already know in our hearts — and in our souls. And when we meet this truth, we are amazed.”
Claudia Cunningham, author of Biting Back: A No-Nonsense, No-Garlic Guide to Facing the Personal Vampires in Your Life
“When I am working hard at my writing, I’m also working hard at trying to find the truth for myself. I search carefully inside for the exact words or images that are most accurate and honest, and then try to express them — which is very similar to what I do in prayer. Writing and prayer are both methods of conscious contact with God that shift my focus to the present moment and bring all of me to the table. That’s true of cooking, though, too — and of painting rocks with very young children, or of weeding a garden — of anything that brings all of me with it to the present moment, I guess, because the present is the one place God always seems to be hanging out.”
I love how Sara and Claudia are both saying that the process of writing makes you more yourself. So if you’re a writer, don’t worry about it, right? Just do write already, and see what you discover.
A powerful reminder of the grace, clarity, and divine connection that comes through writing! Thank you all for sharing these words of wisdom and inspiration.
Yes, I found it interesting that our comments were so alike, too…and – what’s the word?? Validating! Maybe we should talk about when it’s NOT a spiritual experience: like when we get in the way, or our egos do…that might be fun to talk about; and how to get past that.
Thanks Carrie, for including me here!
I have work for many years with a woman called Beatriz F. Castillo who is alway encouraging me to write and is always saying that by writing things down you not only materialise your thoughts but you propel the energy that you use when you meditate and you connect with your trueself. I highly recommend her blog http://beatrizcastilloblog.wordpress.com/ it’s real food for thought.