How to be Present with Your Writing on the Page

The first, and perhaps the most important of principle of all, is Presence.

Being fully awake to the moment - the Now - points towards the truth of what it means to be totally Present. The emphasis here is on Being  rather than doing, essence rather than form. Our innate search for wholeness ends here.

Here you connect directly to the true source of your most inspired ideas and understand the infinite nature of conscious creativity.

Presence frees you from being stuck with certain expectations and enables you to let go of feeling attached to the outcome of your creative efforts. In turn, this opens the way for 'greater forces', your divine muse, to contribute to your creative writing process and inspire your words to reach your readers with true impact.

So here are 3 ways to be present with your writing on the page:

1. Stillness - when you are busy with numerous random thoughts and tasks off your 'to do' list flying around in your mind, you are lost to mental activity. This is a distraction from true creativity which has its source in stillness.

When you become completely still - physically, mentally and emotionally - it is a bit like the ripples on a lake slowly dissolving after you have thrown a pebble into the centre. The surface of the water returns to its naturally still, reflective state.

Stillness allows presence to guide your ideas and your words onto the page and is experienced most effectively through meditation. If you already have a meditation practice, this reminder will encourage you to combine this consciously with your writing.

Otherwise simply begin by spending at least 10 minutes sitting still before you write. Aim to still the chatter of your mind through focusing your attention on your breathing. Enjoy the stillness and write from there.

2. Conscious movement - it may sound like the opposite of the above but in fact conscious movement is an excellent way to bring your self into a state of presence.

Yoga and tai chi are examples of conscious movement where your body makes specific movements which are beneficial to your physical health and enhanced by your awareness being fully on what you are doing.

Many types of simple movement such as walking can have the same effect if approached in a conscious way. In fact walking has been a favourite activity of writers for centuries.

The most important part of conscious movement is the awareness which becomes an invitation to presence. Next time you have an important piece of writing to do, schedule to go for a walk or do some yoga first. Then write straight afterwards.

3. Be open to what is already there - have you ever wondered if your ideas and your words are already 'out there' somewhere before you receive them and write them down?

That may sound rather strange but if you can suspend your disbelief long enough to explore the possibility for yourself, you may be surprised at what you find.

Writers often feel that they have to take every class and learn every technique to write a perfect page, article, story or book. And there is certainly a great deal of value to be had from learning to hone the skills of your craft.

Yet there comes a point beyond the learning where you can open to something more. To experience this for yourself, act 'as if' you are receiving what is already there. In doing so, you will encourage a present state to arise and this delivers all sorts of unexpected riches when your words meet the page.

This approach is particularly effective when combined with one or other - or both - of the above suggestions.

Enjoy - and do feel free to share your comments below ... I love hearing about your views and experiences!