It seems like everyone is meditating. That’s a good thing. Finding wholeness and self-acceptance is the first step to a better world. And Oprah does it. Are you going to doubt the Oprah? I think not.
How, though, does that work for those interested in writing? From my time (I have been meditating for quite some time now) I’d like to share some of the different approaches/intentions I use when I am writing.
As an instrument
I'm not in control of my muse. My muse does all the work. - Ray Bradbury
There is an idea that creativity is something that exists ‘out there’ and we are merely instruments or channelers (in a way) of this creativity. The key is to open oneself to this energy and allow it to flow through your body, the pen and onto the paper (well, word processor). Hopefully meditation can help clear your mind of distractions that may get in the way of finding that perfect phrase. I think having a short meditation before writing with this intention has been very useful for me. Some think of the Muses, the goddesses, the ancestors, the collective unconscious or the simple concept of energy. Not required.
As a guide for the body
Visualization is defined as: to recall or form mental images or pictures; to make visual or visible; to form a mental image of; to make perceptible to the mind or imagination. It helps to sometimes see yourself putting words on the page, filling the page with inspiring and insightful things, saying something true. One recent talk I listened to suggested learning to love the struggle, to find enjoyment in the process instead of focusing on the reward afterwards. Something about how the brain works actually hinders progress if you are always focused on the end or the reward.
As a means to concentrate
Sometimes going straight into a problem you are having helps. What would the character do when faced with an impossible choice, e.g. which child must I sacrifice? Meditating on these questions and eliminating everything else from the mind can yield interesting results. Some authors put their minds into the body of the character and just remain there for a while, feeling and living as they would. Others map out the consequences of the choice in kind of decision tree in their head. You can get creative with this one.
Keep on trucking…
ooooh i got in! thank you. yes, i love meditation, or the practice which is sneaky and mostly not sure i get it, but i know the people that use it have what i feel i need, so i keep showing up. these three suggestions are terrific. never thought of this or heard this.