Discovering Wisdom through Creative Writing and Mindfulness Meditation

The concept for writing this article was to share a first hand experience which I encountered as a result of using mindful meditation while writing in flow.

This article is a continuation from: Mindfulness Meditation and Creative Writing Techniques. You may want to read that hub first to fully understand and learn more about combining these two creative techniques.

Writing in flow is just one form of creative writing. There are numerous other writing styles and techniques. The internet is a great resource for writing workshops that offer online writing courses.

I myself, have learned these writing techniques from reading books and attending several creative writing classes at a writing workshop with, well known author, Natalie Goldberg.

My two favorite books on this particular subject are, "Writing in Flow" by Susan K. Perry and "Writing Down the Bones" by Natalie Goldberg.

The inspiration for this article was the result of a revelation, born in the moment while commenting on another hubber's hub on Hubpages.

The title of the hub that I was reading at the time was 'Getting older and the Power of the Mind by Violet Sun, also known as Marie. If you haven't already read it, please be sure to check it out. It may inspire you as it did me!

Marie, (Violet Sun) is an exceptional inspirational writer with a passion for life. Marie's writing will put you in touch with your inner child as she see's life as a playground. Her connection with nature and her zealous spirit of playfulness shine throughout.

While I was reading Marie's hub I was mindful of a growing smile on my face. I became aware of a warm, tender feeling in my heart with sensations of excitability throughout my being.

Upon finishing reading and without hesitation my fingers began to fly across the keyboard I had entered into my usual writer's 'zone' (aka, creative dissociative state) and began writing in flow.

As many of you may already know, there is no thought process involved when you are writing in flow. Having said that, let me clarify, there is no thought process required to write what you are writing, when you write in flow.

However, when you are practicing mindfulness meditation techniques along with your writing, it is important that you are still mindful of any thoughts that enter your conscious mind. (therefore, creative dissociation is more like a semi conscious state).

What is great about writing in flow and using mindfulness meditation techniques is, it allows you to remain mindful and open to the present moment as it unfolds right before your eyes. Your unconscious mind picks up on it and Voila! You have stumbled upon an aha moment that just may flow through your writing onto your page.

It is through, 'being' in these magical states of mind which allows you to be open to the universe and receive messages that your conscious mind may not fully realize. In other words, revelations are free to be born. You may not realize that you have stumbled upon a revelation until you consciously refocus and reread what you have written. Some times, it may be hours, days or even much longer depending on how long it takes to process.

Getting back to my response to Marie's hub. Somewhere in the middle of my response writing from my creative zone, I wrote;

“The mind is truly a powerful vessel and depending on which way you choose to think will determine whether you take the high road, the low road or a detour.”

At this point I was aware of a tiny fleeting thought, (where am I going with this?) as quickly as the thought had entered my conscious, it was acknowledged for a split second and immediately released by bringing my awareness back to to my fingertips on the keyboard.

Being well disciplined, this process has become second nature and is barely noticeable in the moment. I am simply mindful of it happening.

Once you have mastered this meditation technique, you become fine tuned and it pretty much happens on it's own. I don't mean to simplify this process. It takes a lot of patience, practice and discipline to get to this point.

My response went on to say, “Just recently, my life took a detour. Needless to say, I have had some down time due to an injury (pretty much the whole summer). The positive side to all of this is. My life has slowed down immensely"

(Again, please note, at this point I am still writing in flow therefore, I could not fully appreciate the depth of what I had written until it was processed on a more conscious level.)

(my aha moment!) "Perhaps not using my brakes on my roller blades in that split second and plunging to the ground was the universe's way of symbolically showing me that I in fact needed to stop abruptly and take a good look at the direction that my life was going in. It literally grounded me."

"It has allowed me to do some soul searching as well as reestablishing a deeper connection to my mind, body and spirit.

Mindfulness based stress reduction (mbsr) techniques as well as positive thoughts and attitudes has given me great strength in dealing with my pain."

"Yes, it's no big secret that we all are getting older. But I must say that deep inside I am feeling younger than ever and when I look in the mirror I must say that my reflection seems to be glowing. The mind is a powerful tool, which feeds the body and nourishes the spirit and soul."

The realization of, 'the universe's symbolism,' was a revelation born in the moment that just came out in my response to Marie's hub while writing in flow from a mindful state of being. Experiences like this are what I refer to as, 'Aha Moments! Aha Moments are full of wisdom and insight. They are valuable, rewarding experiences, that validate our being.     I have always been grateful for these moments. I cherish each and every one of them.

Living mindfully and being open is a way of being fully awake moment to moment embracing life as it unfolds. Being mindful is essential to our mind, body and spirit's connection to the universe.

When we live mindfully with these connections from a non-judgmental state of mind we truly feel alive and present, the moment takes on a magical power. Life is in the here and now. With practice we become mindfully aware of waking up to each new moment. Our life is enriched by inner peace and meaningful rewards

This article continues on to .... About Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

Article(C)2010 Sage Williams. All rights reserved.

The copyright to this article is owned by Sage Williams. Permission to republish this article in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Mindfulness Meditation Techniques and Creative Writing
Monday, October 04, 2010 5:54 PM
Combining Mindfulness Meditation Techniques with Creative Writing such as; Stream of Consciousness Writing or Writing In Flow is a magical and powerful combination. In mindfulness meditation.

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
Monday, October 04, 2010 5:48 PM
Well known, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D., is the founder of the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. He is also the founding member of the Cambridge Zen Center.