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
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
I’m not a fan of sitting down to just plain meditate (I don’t look forward to the blather that goes on in my mind when I do), but your previous post did hit home. It reminded me that I have a great collection of meditation CDs. I got one out yesterday after reading your blog and set aside some time to use it.
I do know about the many important benefits of meditation, and you are savvy in pointing writers in that direction. Your posts so far on this subject have also inspired me to dust off my Tai Chi Chih DVD and get back to that, starting this evening. For me, that is far more meditational than trying to sit and do it–concentrating on the moves gets me out of the gerbil wheel of my thoughts–so that sparks my enthusiasm. Plus, I feel so relaxed afterwards and it helps wind me down for bed-time (instead of staying on the computer and going to bed with an over-stimulated brain!).
I’ve also been getting pointed messages lately that I need to hone my intuition. Symbolically, I’ve been informed that it’s part of my power (I believe this is true of everyone) and that I should deliberately set out to develop a stronger connection with it. So I picked a simple method for doing that and have been enjoying the addition to my daily routine.
Your blog posts landed right in the middle of that fertile ground and went KABOOM! :~)
Thanks for the conscious nudge and the inspiration, George!
.-= milliverstravels´s last blog ..Think Globally, Travel Locally =-.
Like I mentioned yesterday, George, I think this totally makes a huge difference in our overall health and writing. Great job!
.-= Michele | aka Raw Juice Girl´s last blog ..Just Call Me Chocolate Girl =-.
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Another insightful piece, George!
You know, I find it troubling in the writing-advice press (blogs, writing craft magazines, etc.) that the focus is misplaced.
It’s always about “getting” something:
Getting an agent.
Getting someone to read your query.
Getting published.
Getting good blog stats ….
Where you mention “motivation” I would reduce that term to its root … the word “motive.”
It is here that all the power (or not) of any writing resides.
My dictionary defines “motive” as:
“some inner drive, impulse, intention, etc. that causes a person to do something or act in a certain way; incentive; goal.”
And why is one’s motive so important?
It’s all about his or her INTENT.
So many budding writers are hooked into believing that it’s all about manipulating people, places, or circumstances to “get” something in return. Like “success” is somehow “out THERE.”
If these same writers did a deep reality check on their INTENT or the REASON why they want to be a writer in the first place, and if found UNSELFISH, then that is right intent.
Right intent equals right motive equals right outcome (true success as a writer).
Wrong intent equals wrong motive equals wrong outcome (failure as a writer or missed opportunities for improvement).
Tied to right motive is HUMILITY. Many writers appear to be arrogant, not humble.
Humility is the fertile soil in which right MOTIVES grow into those beautiful floral disciples (well-crafted prose or poetry we all recognize as being perfect as their Maker is perfect).
These timeless concepts are universal LAWS that we humans are only just now scratching the surface.
So, what is YOUR motive for writing?
If your motive is to serve your readership (and not be self-serving), then I predict great things for that writer.
I’ll bet most writers never stopped to realize how necessarily metaphysical real writing really is. That accounts for so much angst and alcoholism amongst the notorious amongst us.
My advise?
Rise up and take charge of your motives! You’ll be a happier and more prolific wordsmith!
(No, I am not Dr. Phil, just a humble writer of over 60 pieces of digital short fiction).
Regards, and success for the right reasons, my friends.
Wayne C. Long
Writer/Editor/Internet Publisher
http://www.LongShortStories.com
Where the Short Story LIVES!
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