Writing as Meditation

 

“The purpose of
any spiritual practice
is to keep us engaged
and in dialogue with the Divine,
wherever we perceive it, and
however we have learned
to speak and listen.”

Christina Baldwin

One of my biggest problems in writing on lined pages or at the computer is the way my inner editor wants to revise & refine my message while I’m creating it … interrupting the flow of creative ideas onto the page. What I’ve learned to do over time, is turn the page slightly when I sense such an interruption arising in order to stay with whatever message wants to come through … word by word, following the ‘writing rules’ (shared in a previous post) as a disciplined practice … allowing words to appear on the page one by one … trusting it’s exactly what I need in the moment. I’ve begun to share these ‘labyrinth style writing pieces’ together with audio recordings of me reading them, but I sense it’s not the message that matters nearly as much as the model they provide … the invitation inherent within so that those who visit might begin to experiment (in your own unique ways) to find a way to connect in silent anticipation with the ‘Divine’ within yourself. The world needs us to be still, awaken, and listen within to remember who we are and why we’re here on earth at this moment in time then act accordingly … forcing nothing and holding nothing back.


Yesterday I listened to Susan Piver and Jen Louden interviewing one another on Vimeo about their current work in the world. I’m engaged with both projects, and was fascinated to listen in on this authentic conversation because it illustrates that my own on-going ‘self-talk’ and life challenges are ‘normal’ … as in experienced by others. What a relief! Perhaps you’ll want to watch it too? I’d love to learn about your reactions.


Jen’s Savor and Serve the World experiment resonates with my own efforts to share authentically at Giraffe Journal and what I’m trying to create here at Labyrinth Journal too.  Susan’s Open Heart Project of ‘online meditation and more’ nourishes my spirit and offers me language with which to explain how writing the labyrinth became a meditative process for me and might work for others as well.

Christina Baldwin shares what she calls ‘A Spiritual Practice for Times Like These’ in the Seven Whispers that includes the following:
  • “Maintain peace of mind
  • Move at the pace of guidance
  • Practice certainty of purpose
  • Surrender to surprise
  • Ask for what you need and offer what you can
  • Love the folks in front of you
  • Return to the world”

I’ve developed my own practice which aligns with hers and I’m interested to know what you do in yours. Perhaps you’ll spend some time free writing, then let me know in comments below or email. I’d love to learn from you as I share my own journey.
If you’d like help getting started, click here for ‘a suggested practice’ at the end of the previous post for suggestions.

 

Thought for Today
“The act of putting pen to paper encourages pause for thought, this in turn makes us think more deeply about life, which helps us regain our equilibrium.” Norbet Platt

 

 

 

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5 Responses to Writing as Meditation

  1. Patti says:

    This is just beautiful, Virginia. I love reading about how this practice came to you and how you have worked within in, and now are giving it to the world. Indeed, these are the times that call for our generosity and I sense, as I read this, an enormous generosity of spirit and a desire to share. Also, thanks for Christina Baldwin’s 7 suggestions. They are resonant and clear.

    Below is lovely poem referenced above and added by Virginia with Patti’s permission.
    It was first published in her book entitled Dreaming Creation: seven poems … seven days and is available from Patti at Inner Wisdom Exploration and Blurb.

    The Image of God

    Someday
    you will know
    that you are one
    of God’s bejeweled things.

    Someday
    you will awaken and know
    that you are a
    Divine bookmark,
    holding a favorite place in Creation
    that the Beloved turns to
    again and again and again.

    Someday
    you will understand
    that the gold dagger hidden inside
    your mother’s desk is
    your birthright
    and discover the duality of its sharpness:
    One edge cuts your life together.
    The other cuts it apart.

    Someday
    you will willingly wear
    the crystal amulet
    that the old hag slipped into your pocket
    while you were waiting at the corner bus stop.

    Someday
    you will realize
    that the royal thread
    running like a gazelle through your life
    cannot be pulled loose.

    Someday
    you will laugh with the ruffian boys
    and pretend not to notice
    as they nick the gold from your pockets
    because you will know there is more,
    always and ever more.

    Someday.

    And then when two criminals
    pound on your door at dawn
    demanding to dig up
    what is buried beneath your soul-tree,
    you will let them.

    Perhaps the treasure will be a diamond.
    Perhaps a rough lava rock.

    Either way you will know it as the
    jewel stone of your suffering—
    and be content

    For then God
    will come to you as a lover,
    delighting in your senses
    and tickling your ear with
    the true story of your own soul.

    You will have a new song then—
    one you have known your whole life.

    And you will have met the
    deepest Mystery of the Beloved—

    And know everything.
    Know nothing.
    Know your first, your original Self.

    Someday.

    by Patricia S. Frankel

    • Virginia says:

      Patti,
      You’re right in that I do feel called to share this unique labyrinth writing practice with others, and I’m feeling my way into this process by establishing this new website in addition to my Giraffe Journal blog created several months ago without really having a PLAN yet. Perhaps I’m putting the cart before the horse, but I want to do something … just because. Thanks so much for your understanding, support, encouragement, and fine example on your own wonderful website, Inner Wisdom Exploration. I’m glad you found Christina Baldwin’s suggestions helpful.
      Hugs and blessings,

      PS added at 2:25pm on Wednesday 3-23-11
      Thanks so much for granting me permission to share the poem in its entirety. I’ve included links to your site and to Blurb so others can find you. While at your site I realized you’d added a link back here in your sidebar. I appreciate your generosity and friendship.

  2. Pingback: Walking, with pen, into your inner world « The Center for Peaceful Living

  3. Polly Burns says:

    Thankyou for posting this. I am sat in a hotel room unable to sleep because of jetlag…on my my to complete training in my dream work…equine facilitated psychotherapy. I’m at a huge stage of transition and this poem has spoken deeply into my heart. thankyou. Thankyou also for the gift of labyrinth writing…as someone who finds linear things so hard I know this is going to be a new doorway

    • Virginia says:

      Polly,
      I appreciate your comment and apologize for taking so long to respond. I’m happy to know you found Patti’s poem helpful when you happened upon it here in early October, and interested to learn how the ‘doorway’ of labyrinth writing is working for you.
      Hugs and blessings,
      Virginia

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