Inspiration & Guidance
Keeping with the theme of ways to “Win at the War of Art"
I lead a guided relaxation meditation when I coach and teach, as a writing preparation, because relaxing is a great way to:
Call in the muse, get grounded and help combat the inner-critic.
I learned the value of relaxation for writing, by following the lineage created by famed Beat Poet Alan Ginsburg, who connecting writing to the principles of Zen, when he started The Naropa Institute
This practice was then passed down by his Naropa student Natalie Goldberg, one of the Writing Gods, along with Anne Lamont & Julia Cameron, with her groundbreaking book, Writing Down The Bones applying meditation and mindfulness and the term “Writing Practice.”
I love this phrase, because it's a reminder that when we write-- it's a practice, and as well as the idea---
that we are practicing writing, which means we don't have to be perfect(!)
Guided Writing Meditation
Here's my writing meditation, feel free to adapt it or add your own rituals
Take a moment to close your eyes and take some deep easy breaths, to let go of the day and release the stress and tension.
Put your hand on your stomach to see if it's expanding in the inhales-- This is the way we know we're breathing fully, instead of shallowly in the chest.
As you exhale- see what wants, needs and would love to be released
Breathe through the thoughts and chatter in your head without judgment.
If there's any places of tension in your body (back, shoulders, hands, fingers, jaw, eyes, throat, etc- breathe into that place and release.
Right now-- Honor, acknowledge and celebrate that you're making time for the most beautiful parts of yourself:
Your voice, imagination, wisdom, experiences, heart,
and-- your angst, doubts, fears, as well as your triumphs triumphs
This is what makes you fascinating and extraordinary.
As you start writing--
Listen with your heart to see what wants and needs to be said, expressed and championed
Remember You can never do this wrong- the writing should be messy, trust wherever the thoughts and tangents take you
You'll have plenty of time after your messy rough 1st draft to edit and revise, especially because---
You can't create and edit simultaneously
Since it activates both hemispheres of the brain-
it will cause the creative right side of the brain, to crash with the analytical left side-- and abruptly stop whatever the thought or creative impulse you were writing from
Be curious, keep the pen or keystrokes going and know you can never fail
Feel free to write me if this meditation is helpful
Or-- if you have your own meditation or ritual practice that you use to write
terrie@creativerites.com
