Whether you're working on a book or just beginning to find your voice, a regular free writing practice can help you open the creative channels and access deeper, more soulful expression. Freewriting is never about critique or evaluation — rather, it is a practice: We do timed writings that begin with evocative prompts, and alternate these with reading our work aloud, even if only in a whisper. We aren’t trying to produce finished pieces, but rather, to create fertile ground for seeding further work, and in Writing from the Soul Circles, we also aim to connect deeply and support each other as evolving souls who happen to use writing as our practice.
BASIC WRITING FROM THE SOUL PRACTICE
1. Start with intention.
Try doing the practice for more than just yourself. You could think: Deepening into myself and my expression matters. It impacts my ability to be present with others. Therefore, I do this not just for myself but for everyone I touch, and for all those who have not yet found their voice.
2. Settle into yourself.
Take a few deep breaths and let go. Close your eyes, then simply watch yourself breathe for 7 or 21 breaths, relaxing, aware of body sensations, settling into your own skin. Finish by listening into the silence that holds all sound.
3. Take in the prompt.
Now open your eyes and take in the prompt. No need to think about it. Just look.
4. Set your timer.
10 minutes is great. So is 20 minutes. But if 5 minutes is all you have, it can still yield interesting results.
5. Write from the silence.
Begin with the prompt and finish the sentence. Then keep going. Write whatever comes to mind without stopping to think. Just write. It's not a piece, so you can just put down whatever comes to mind. If you run out of things to say, write the prompt again and finish the sentence.
6. Remember the wild card prompt.
At any time during the writing, you can change the prompt to I really want to write about...
7. Stop when the timer goes off.
Read aloud what you wrote, even if you just whisper. Really listen to yourself and take it in.
8. Share the benefit.
At the end of your practice, try sharing the benefit with others. You could think: As a result of this practice, may we all deepen our relationships with ourselves and one another; may we all find a way to authentically express and share with the world what matters most to us.
The more you trust the process, the less your conscious mind will interfere and you will begin to access work from another region of your mind and heart. It is not unusual for people to be completely surprised by what they have written, for a story to pop out of nowhere, or a poem, or the answer to a dilemma.
There are many ways to use these writings, but the most important use of all is to let go of control, open the channels and let come whatever wants to come so you can see how endless a supply of rich material you have, and how the gems can be mixed in with the junk. (You’ll know the gems when you see them — you can pluck them out later to use for finished pieces.) Writing doesn’t have to be so precious and protected and laborious once you learn to dip into this well and trust what comes out. Then the whole writing process is transformed into deep play — as well as great practice in quieting the judgmental mind.
For those who are interested in using the process to write finished pieces, just send me an email and I'll send you a little guide on the three stages of writing as I see it, and how to cultivate an approach to your work that will help you clear the blocks to authentic — and enjoyable — expression.
There are many ways to use these writings, but the most important use of all is to let go of control, open the channels and let come whatever wants to come so you can see how endless a supply of rich material you have, and how the gems can be mixed in with the junk. (You’ll know the gems when you see them — you can pluck them out later to use for finished pieces.) Writing doesn’t have to be so precious and protected and laborious once you learn to dip into this well and trust what comes out. Then the whole writing process is transformed into deep play — as well as great practice in quieting the judgmental mind.
For those who are interested in using the process to write finished pieces, just send me an email and I'll send you a little guide on the three stages of writing as I see it, and how to cultivate an approach to your work that will help you clear the blocks to authentic — and enjoyable — expression.
