In my previous post, I touched on the benefits derived from being a conscious writer through meditation.  This follow up post will expand on things a bit and I’m hoping that folks approach this series with an open mind.  For some, these words will speak to you and perhaps you will open doors you never knew existed.  Others will be on a different path and that is okay too.  Follow along now to see what I mean about being a concentrated writer.

When we sit down to write, most often it is with a specific idea in mind.  Some of us may write an outline first, or maybe have a yellow tablet scribbled with notes and thoughts that we will coalesce in to coherent and meaningful prose.  I would bet there are almost as many methods as there are writers.

Imagine if when you sat down to write you were able to focus your concentration like a laser, free from outside thought and persuasion.  Do you think your writing would benefit?  Would you be able to write with more passion?  I think you would.  And here’s where The Concentrated Writer comes in.

I am basing this series and methods on a great book that I found at my library .  The name of the book is Luminous Mind: Meditation and Mind Fitness (Link connects through my Amazon Affiliate).  The book is very well written and practical.  No mystics here, folks.  Joel and Michelle Levey are very real, down to earth people.  It is an easy read.

In the method described in Luminous Mind, the foundation for all successful meditations is based on achieving the ability to concentrate.  Here is a great quote that puts the advantages in a nutshell:

“By developing our ability to concentrate, we increase our capacity for integrating thoughts, fact and information in a way that reveals deeper, more integral wisdom than that which is immediately apparent to the unfocused observer.”

Here is the way to concentrated meditation:

• Motivations – first examine your motivation for this meditation
• Select a focus – Ideally, the focus will be one that your attention can be drawn to easily, such as your breathing.
• Breathing focus – If you are focusing on your breathing, concentrate on the sensations of the breath laeving and entering your body.  If you become distracted (and you will) gently return to your breathing.  At first, it may seem that you spent the whole session returning.  This is ok.  In time your concentration muscle will develop and become strong.

A few words about meditation in general:

• Try to meditate each day.  Even 20 minutes in the morning will bring powerful results
• Sit or lie in a comfortable position.  Don’t worry if you doze at first, this means your body needs the rest.  Ultimately, this will pass.
• Nothing else is needed to meditate.  You don’t need candles or incense or eastern symbols.
• Give it time.  With practice it will be all that you ever hoped and your writing and your life will be far richer because of it.

I just have to finish this post with this little Gem I saw on Twitter tonight:

@forces2 A buddhist monk walks up to a hot dog vendor and asks, “Make me one with everything!”

Tomorrow’s Post:  The Mindful Writer