Writing as Meditation

Qualities of Meditative Writing

As some may know, "Shodo" (the Japanese art of calligraphy) is performed as as type of meditative activity. Last year, I experimented in a similar technique with regular writing (with fountain pen), and got good results.

Some qualities differentiating meditative writing Vs. regular writing.

Meditative Writing	Regular Writing
Slow and deliberative	at speed / unconscious
With presence/awareness on the act	focus on content
awareness of rhythmic breathing	unconscious
An end in itself	a means to an end
focus on individual letters/words/strokes	focus on concepts

Then there is the general act of reflective writing, such as journal writing where the "content" does matter, as internal thoughts/feelings are reflected back into one's awareness - this is another type of meditation/contemplation also.

A Writing Meditation

Choose a quiet and comfortable environment.

Meditate or sit in silence for a minute or two before starting.

In general, move very deliberately and with as much "present awareness" as possible. Presence here meaning, keeping one's mind on the actual task at hand, and not daydreaming, thinking about something else, etc... In other words, when forming a letter, you should not be thinking about anything. Just be fully present to what you are doing. Being fully aware of the present moment and not having thoughts running through one's head.

Write just one word. Pick a word which can act as a seed thought for a meditation. Could be any word, but I tend to pick one which has bearing on something issue/event I am dealing with at the time.

Write using a smooth nib with a wet flow, to give a brush like feel.

Form each letter as follows:

On the downstroke part of the letter, breathe out slowly,exhaling completely at the bottom part of the stroke. On the upstroke part, inhale similarly. Of course, breathe between strokes/letters as necesary, but do at a similar pace and with awareness on one's breath.

Keep my attention on both my breath, and on the stroke, as I form each letter.

Do this for the entire word.

When done, contemplate the word in relationship to whatever it is I'm dealing with. ie just look at the word and just allow whatever associations to come up, then gently return my attention again to the word itself.

VERY RELAXING!