We all know the Zone when we feel it. We write with an exquisite sense of ease or “swing,” fully absorbed in the moment, unselfconscious, highly energized, clear, spontaneous, effortless, and creative. It can be a magical, even mystical experience—as
JOURNALING as a SPIRITUAL PRACTICE
For me, journaling is one of the most powerful ways to use writing as a spiritual practice. There are three gazillion ways to do this, but here’s how I use it. COVER THE WATERFRONT I journal every morning to focus
WHAT MY CATS TEACH ME ABOUT WRITING
My cats, Frankie and Flynnie, are eight year old orange tabby brothers and certified editorial assistants. They love to hang out on my desk, reorganize papers, and suggest that I need a clearer work space by stretching out and “inadvertently”
WRITING IN 4-PART HARMONY: Thoughts on Writing, Love, and Barbershop
Last night I went to my first rehearsal with SF Soundwave, the local San Francisco affiliate of Sweet Adelines International for women’s barbershop. Two facts: * I adore the sound of close harmony, and have longed to sing barbershop since
WRITING to RELEASE, RESTORE, AND REDEEM
Some people are shocked when I talk about using my journal to release negative thoughts and monkey mind mental chatter. “Aren’t you just reinforcing the negative when you write it down?” they ask. I don’t think so. For me, writing
HOW TO USE WRITING as a SPIRITUAL PRACTICE
Many thanks to the wonderful people who made our March 30 program on Writing as a Spiritual Practice such a rich experience! We spent the day talking about how all kinds of writing can be spiritual practice: fiction, essays, poetry,