I know. Meditation. Gag me.
We're writers. Our heads are full of words and images. Our heads are supposed to be full of words and images so that we can transfer them to the page.
But.
The transferring to the page is often the tricky part. The place where we get hung up. Because we worry. About whether or not our words are good enough, or people will like them.
And so sometimes the words and images get stuck in our heads. And then they whirl around and around, driving us nuts. Which is usually when I recommend that you get you some prompts and engage in some free writing.
But lately I've also been working with meditation. Yeah, I know, I'm a bit late to the party. I've had an on-again, off-again (mostly the latter) relationship with meditation for years. However, the spiritual tradition I'm now very involved with emphasizes meditation and so I've been forced to take another look at it.
Because the point of meditation is to be still, focus on your breath, and quiet the mind.
And really, isn't that exactly what we, as writers, need?
I like to remember who is breathing me. That would be God, and the fact that I'm breathing in and out, in and out, is proof of the divine and infinite love of the universe.
And that is where I want to remember to live. In love, always.
Do you meditate? What's your favorite meditation technique for writing? Or do you hate it? Either way, feel free to chime in.
Image by clix.
J.D. Frost
I don’t meditate, but maybe you’re on to something. I do believe that creativity in art, in work, in cooking is part of our relationship with God. I can see that simply slowing oneself could be a good thing. These days a person could easily live their life in a mad rush from cradle to grave.
Charlotte Dixon
J.D., that mad rush thing is so, so true. Which is why it can be so useful just to slow the brain down and give it space to air out, so to speak. :-) Thanks, as always, for commenting.
Tahlia Newland
If I didn’t meditate, I think all the words in my head would explode. I need some time each day with a beautiful spacious mind of total ease. Actually I do lots of little meditations throuhout the day eg while a tab is loading.
Julia
I haven’t really tried meditating, but I know how valuable a fifteen-minute-nap is. It is seriously amazing how calming and restorative a few moments of silence can be. I don’t believe in God, but I can feel that “connection” to nature and to the rest of the world when I am truly relaxed.
Haha, I suppose my mind really is that chaotic–it’s pretty evident in my writing. I wonder what a few minutes of relaxation before writing would do. I’ll try it next time! :)
Charlotte Dixon
Tahlia, I’ve been meaning to experiment with short bursts of meditation throughout the day, so thanks for the reminder. Its got to be better for the spirit than mindlessly surfing the internet.
Julia, Yes, I’m a power napper also. 10 or 15 minutes in the afternoon totally refreshes me. Try a brief meditation before a writing session and check back and let us know how it works out for you!
Sharon Holly
I’m a little late reading this post, but I’ve been thinking a lot of meditation lately, so I just had to respond. (So much blog reading to catch up on!)
Like you, I’ve had an on-again-off-again relationship with meditation, mostly the latter. But I’m happy to say I’ve committed myself to three months of yoga, and one of the classes I will be doing is Holistic Yoga Flow, which incorporates a lot of breath work, mantras and meditation. I’m hoping it well help to calm the chaos of the mind!
Incorporating meditation into the writer’s life is great advice!
Charlotte Dixon
Hi Sharon, Thanks for stopping by. That class sounds great, check back and let us know how its going for you!