The Meditated Author

A calm mind is a creative mind. - unknown

We all know that writing can be a meditation, but sometimes - often times - we all get lost in the whirlwind that is life and as aspiring authors, such as ourselves, that can disrupt the flow of the story inside us. We are employers, employees, students, mothers, daughters, fathers, sons... We don't have the time or either we'll do it later. When that happens, we try to jump back into the game, but find that... it's just not happening.
 
We can't find the track. See the road in front of us. Feel that spark of inspiration. All those ideas in your head are up in the air and you're too far away to grasp them. That is when you know YOU HIT A WALL. Here is a bit of advice. Tried and true, but it helps:

Sometimes we need to take a step back in order to move forward and see clearly. - Simi Fromen

Sounds easy I know, but let's take it a step further.

Meditation is the practice of developing inner peace, concentration, clarity, and emotional balance. 

No, this post isn't about sitting in Sukhasana and humming 'OM', but it is about the practice of finding our own meditation in order to get back to the creative mind. In other words, to move forward and see clearly. When we think about that, that can be in anything we do - just as long as it brings us clarity and joy. A practicing yogini (female yogi) for the last two years and a tea fanatic, as you can tell from my profile, I find the quest for the perfect cup of tea and the art of motion is what does it for me.

Performing my own tea "ceremony", going through the motion of making a cup of tea is a freedom in motion. Practicing yoga and meditation brings me to the now and the ability to let go of the tension and see clearly what I should do with my novel. It gives me patience and helps me see the way with less worry or none at all and the To Do's of tomorrow.

As writers - as humans - we need to remind ourselves that it is okay to take a step BACK. I know some of you may feel like if you take a step back you'll be wasting valuable time you could be spending on your novel, but imagine the time you'll be wasting going back over a part or part(s) you wrote when you weren't at your best? So listen to me oh crafty one.

• Take a walk. 
• Exercise. 
• Read. 
• Dance to some EDM. (I know I do. In the privacy of my room with the door closed, though. 😄) 

Do whatever does it for you to bring yourself back to center and return to your writing. That's with everything in life. We can't put our eggs all in one basket and neither can we take on everything at once. We're not built to last - in the immortal sense.

So... my beautiful, brilliant minds take a load off. Relax your mind. Kick up your feet. Give yourself fifteen, thirty, hey give yourself an hour if possible to get back to center. The creative mind behind that wall. Consistency awaits, but make sure you treat yourself to some good old fashion R&R.

Stay lovely and writing,

Siobhan