I started journaling at age 12. Like Anne Frank, I was too young to worry whether I was doing it right or wrong. I felt this daily practice put me in the company of important journal keepers like Benjamin Franklin, Carl Jung, and of course Elvis. Through the years, my journal morphed into many things: A friend, a mirror, a teacher and an excuse to sit alone at a romantic cafe. At one point I even used it as a "Book of Shadows" which is a modern pagan practice. Throughout history, witches have been known to record their spells and charms and keep a detailed account of the effects of their work. Thus, I knew my journal was a spiritual tool, but I had no idea of its transformative power until Julia Cameron introduced me to The Artist’s Way. In her spiritual path to creativity, Cameron prescribes the Morning Pages. This practice gave me permission to speak my truth, to release my judgments and to transcend my small self. The Morning Pages are a type of meditation wherein one witnesses their own consciousness without attachment. In the last 5 years of teaching the Artist's Way journey, I've seen dozens of students use this tool to change careers, leave bad marriages, lose weight, take up new hobbies, become professional artists and experience self-realization. Whether or not you are ready to experience the full Artist Way journey, the Morning Pages are a beautiful adjunct to any spiritual practice. Here are four basic steps to personal transformation: (1) Write daily, preferably immediately after waking. This is when your conscious mind is closest to your subconscious. Set your Alarm 30 minutes early and make this your morning ritual. On the average it takes 20 minutes. Find a comfortable and/or inspiring place to practice each day. If you can't find the time to do it in the morning then do it at your first opportunity during the day. (2) Write long hand. This taps into the creative hemisphere of the brain. (It can be a combination of writing and printing.) (3) Allow your stream of consciousness to flow. DO NOT CENSOR or even edit yourself (resist the temptation to check spelling or even cross out words.) Feel free to write about: emotions, reactions, thoughts, realizations, interactions with people or situations, ideas, dreams, whatever occurs to you when the pen is on the paper. If you're afraid of messing up a journal then use a cheap spiral bound notebook. Your journal is private. Do not show anyone, not even yourself--at least for the first few weeks. (4) Don't stop until you've reached 3 pages. The size and shape of your journal doesn't matter, but don't write more than 3 pages. This process often elicits intense resistance from the ego. As a Bliss coach, I either guide people past their resistance to the morning pages, or lead them into effective alternatives such as: Manifestation journal Automatic writing Morning drawings Gratitude journal Travel journal Prayer journal Dream journal Whatever type of journaling you practice, I invite you to regard it as both a spiritual and creative act. Take this opportunity to re-commit. Inspiration may strike at any time, like a lightning bolt out of the clear blue sky. Daily Journaling creates a downpour of new ideas and one day you may find your pen has turned into a lightening rod.
For details call858-272-2254 orKamala@Blisscoach.comWe try to return calls within 72 hours. Because of the high volume of calls, if you don't hear from us in a timely manner, please try again. Kamala is the author of Don't Drink the Punch, Sacred Sexual Healing and a intimacy and creativity coach leading people Toward Success & Self Realization!Zendow, Inc. Copyright 2009
