Writing & Creativity by Susan Piver
Whether you write novels, poetry, memoir, personal essays, screenplays, songs, or simply enjoy journaling, most writers struggle with the same issues. Finding time. Finding their unique voice. And most of all, finding confidence. When confidence is present, all the other details: making space in daily life for this precious work, relaxing into authenticity, and finding joy in the delight and the struggle of writing, seem to take care of themselves. You find the sense of flow that all writers long for.
I discovered a way into this flow several years ago when
I was on a lengthy meditation retreat. I requested permission to write for several hours a day during the final days of the program because I was on a book deadline. Between fairly lengthy meditation sessions, I returned to my room to work and found that I was in the midst of a writing experience unlike any other. I had no hesitation about how to begin. When I finished expressing one idea, it was like the next one was right there, waiting to be written down. When I returned to my work the next day, it was as if the exact stopping point had been bookmarked in my mind and I was able to pick up precisely where I left off. Most noticeably, I found that the normal problems I had with self-doubt and being overly critical of myself were gone. This was a tremendous discovery. I left the retreat thinking that there was something magical about this combination of meditation and writing practices.
Most people who love writing are also petrified of it. Why, I cannot tell you. I only know that we all experience some form of hesitation when it comes to the blank page. The writers retreats that I lead help to deal with obstacles and blocks and encourage you to trust your voice. We use 4 tools during the writing and creativity retreat.
1. Meditation. The practice of breath-awareness meditation helps gather and quiet the mind. It teaches two precious skills: first, it builds concentration and second, it relaxes the mind. Each day begins with meditation practice (instruction will be offered) and we return to the meditation cushion for a brief session after lunch and again before dinner.
2. Journaling. Sometimes called morning pages or free writing, we’ll follow our morning meditation with 3 pages of long hand, stream of consciousness writing. The purpose of this is to begin to focus your mind on writing, but without any agenda or chance for self-criticism.
3. Personal Writing. You will have two 2-hour periods (one in the morning and one in the afternoon) to devote yourself to your personal writing. You can work on an existing project, dream up a new one, write in your journal, or just sit down at your pad (or computer) and see what happens.
4. Conversation. Each evening, one or two people will have a chance to share their work. The purpose of this is not to offer literary criticism or criticism of any other kind. The purpose is to simply open to and take in the words of a particular writer. We ask ourselves questions like, “What does it feel like to hear this writer’s work?” “How would we describe their voice?” “What was particularly striking and where did we become lost?” “What do we think this writer is really trying to say?” Questions such as these are designed to help the writer (who is silent during the conversation) see what happens when their work has a chance to “breathe” in a friendly, supportive environment. Many participants report that this was the portion of the program that was most frightening, but turned out to be the most inspiring.
My sincere hope is that each writer (whether or not you call yourself one!) will leave feeling inspired by his or her own story and confident in their unique voice.
Susan is offering both a weekend Writing and Creativity retreat October 23-25 and a more intensive writing retreat October 23-29.
Susan Piver is the New York Times bestselling author of four books and a frequent contributor to the Shambhala Sun and Body+Soul magazine. Her next book, The Wisdom of a Broken Heart is due out in January, 2010. She has been authorized to teach meditation in the Shambhala Buddhist lineage since 2006.