Do you know you carry a well of knowingness and wisdom around everywhere you go?

Do you know you carry a well of knowingness and wisdom around everywhere you go?Always available to you and the only thing you might have to do is pick up the pen?

I did not!

Until I started a practice called automatic writing. This has been the most profound, deep yet simple and practical thing that helps me connect to myself/my soul. Or just something inside and outside myself, wiser than my own limited self.?And everyone I share this with has the same experience (if they commit to it).

I wrote this article for anyone who is interested in giving it a go.

And you can make all the spelling and grammar mistakes you want!??This practice is not about writing pretty, smart, or wise. It does not matter what it looks like.?

It's like having a conversation with a wiser and more compassionate friend than my everyday self and ego. A way to step away from the ruminating mind. It became my anchor. It's the thing I commit to every single day. It takes me about 10/15 minutes a day.? And literally, everyone can do it.

How I started

I had not written for almost 4 decades when I started. Somehow I could never get into ‘normal journaling’, I would even overthink the journal to buy.? But I committed to this practice. While I was writing my first pages a Dove hit my window. Although it lived and flew on I owed it to that dove to keep on writing.

Still with hesitancy. And overthinking things like: do I write in English or Dutch? Can I creatively express myself in a language that is not my own? Can I write from my heart? But answers to these questions would always appear while journaling [Non edited version of my journal]:

[‘Write stupid things. Just write, Write in English. Write in Dutch. Write in any language. It’s all about moving the pen. As long as it keeps moving you are a writer. Don’t worry, don’t think, just empty yourself. Keep on writing. Even when you think it's shitty, don't attach to it. It doesn't have to be witty, it just has to be words. It doesn't have to look pretty. It doesn't have to be wise. It's not about you. Don’t make it about you.’]

A few months later, when I found myself in Bali at a silent retreat center I started writing more. It took 5 days of forced silence and almost losing my mind before I started daring to really sit with myself and write more. While I was writing I wrote ‘From now on I commit to 6 pages a day’. That moment a Dragonfly landed on my toe and sat there for the longest time. I owed it to the Dragonfly to keep on showing up.?

At one point stories and poems started flowing out of my pen. But the main goal was and is still having that conversation. Writing became easier and I knew the more I was able to surrender to paper the more I would be able to surrender to life itself.

WHY

Automatic writing is like having a conversation with something wiser, something bigger.?

It’s the thing that reminded me and still reminds me there is something that is always there ready to guide and carry us. It’s the voice that gave me hope during despair. The voice that anchored me when I feared I would float away. It was the voice that made me feel carried, even when I thought the whole world had forgotten about me.?

Other side effects may be:

• Calming and centering effect on the mind and body
• Connection to the heart
• Develop intuitive knowing also off paper
• Understanding what your path and purpose is?
• New ideas

DIFFERENCE WITH JOURNALING

Automatic writing is not a journaling practice. For years, I was never able to get into journaling, Somehow I would get stuck in my head. Overthinking it. The most important differences:

• With AW you do not have to think about what you will write.?
• With AW words come from a subconscious part rather than a conscious part.
• With AW you can reach theta vs alpha brainwaves (google brainwaves to find out more).??
• With AW the intention is to connect with the knowing voice inside you, having an intimate conversation. Journaling is more focused on self-analysis and self-reflection

THE PRACTICAL THINGS YOU NEED

You can start within minutes and it will cost you (almost) no money.

1. A journal. If you have something in your house take that. I used all kinds of formats, sizes, and shapes. Just start and see what works best for you.
2. A pen.
3. Space and time. Choose a time which you can commit to for? 30 days, preferably around the same time every day. You need 10/15 minutes per day. I prefer the morning because in the evening my mind is already so filled up. It's a really nice start to your day and you do not have to think about it anymore. Whatever you choose just be consistent. Pick a place where you can sit without being interrupted. I tried things out. used my bed, but also like the coach. I am not a desk writer. But also here goes: whatever works for you.? Many people like writing at a desk.

HOW TO DO THE ACTUAL WRITING PROCESS

1. Write by hand. It is possible on the computer but harder to get into an easy flow state.

2. Set an intention You can simply have the intention to go deep and to receive answers. You can also say or write something like ‘Here I am, I am Ready. and willing to speak with and listen to you. Thank you for your words and guidance.’

3. So… who are you talking to and who is talking to you? Well, you can call it whatever you want. I call it Source. You can call it God, Spirit, Friend, Heart, Voice. You can also call it Leo, or wiser self. Or anything that feels right for you. that what is within us that is greater than us

I always started and still start my writing with ‘Dear source, what is here for me to know?’ or ‘Dear heart, what is here for me to know?’ And then I would just put my pen to paper and it would flow. It would not always flow but I committed to writing 3 pages a day. Every day I showed up for these 3 pages.?

4. If you like rituals, create a little ritual. Mine is burning some incense and a candle.? It can also be making yourself a cup of tea you can drink when you are done.

5. Take a few deep breaths before you start. For instance: Breath in for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, breathe out for 4 counts, and hold out for 4 counts. Do that a few times. Or just breathe deeply in and out a few times. (Breathing helps the flow of blood to oxygenate the brain which helps create?relaxed alpha waves). Some people like to listen to some theta wave music to get into a more relaxed state.

But you can also just write...

6. How long do I write?

There are 3 options, just choose one:

1. 3 pages

2. set a timer and start with 10 minutes

3. you’ll intuitively sense that your automatic writing session is coming to an end.

When starting out I would not go for option 3 because we will want to stop often after 1 page :)

I always write 3 A4 pages. I started with 3 small pages.

7. How to write. Just put the pen to paper, ask your question and write. Write what comes. Write fast and ugly. If you are stuck in your head just write 'I am stuck in my head' repeat that until something else comes. If you hate it write 'I hate it' if nothing else comes you write that for 3 pages.

8. What to ask?

I always ask first 'What is here for me to know?' Other options:

• What am I worried about?
• What problem if I could solve it right now would change my life?
• What is my fear?
• What do I want?
• What have I been unwilling to see?

Preferably not ask why and when questions!

9. How do I know who I am talking to/ if I am doing it 'right'?

Are the words authoritative, clear, and wise? Or are the words closer to what your mind sounds like (disjointed, critical, or vague)? You will feel present, calm, and at peace. But if you do not worry! Don’t think about if you are doing it right, just keep going.

10. How to stick with it

1. Commit to? Showing up for 30 days. Non-negotiable. Even when it sucks. Distractions WILL show up, resistance will show up. Decide.

2. Write at the same time: consistency is important and super helpful.?

3. Turn off your phone and other possible distractions

4. If you miss a day: no worries, get back on it. We do start going downhill when we break a chain with more than one missed day (I learned this from the book Atomic?habits and I know from experience!)

You might also find, that the first time you try automatic writing it goes really well. But after that, you struggle a lot! The reason this happens is that when we first try something new, our minds are often empty of belief and expectation (also known as the ‘Beginner’s Mind’). However, afterward, we begin to accumulate mental baggage and expectations which tend to block the process of spontaneous revelation. Don’t worry if this happens. Just keep writing.

Summary:

1. Pick a journal. Any journal. Small, big, lines, no lines, squares, dots. Whatever feels right for you. Dedicate this journal to your daily pages.?

2. Pick a pen. Any pen. Dedicate this pen to your pages.

3. Pick a spot where you see yourself doing this practice every day for a month. At a table, at a desk, on a chair, on a coach. Whatever feels comfortable for you.

4. Pick a time a day on which you want to write daily for about 15 minutes. Preferably the morning because that is when you are most empty.

5. If you have a meditation practice it is nice to meditate before you write, even if it is just for 5 minutes.? Or just take a few deep breaths.

6. Just write. Start with Dear …. (whatever comes up for you and if nothing comes up just write Dear Voice) Put your pen to the paper, ask a question (‘What is here for me to know?’ is a good start), and commit to writing for 10 minutes without stopping. If you are stuck in your head just write 'I am stuck in my head' repeat that until something else comes. If you hate it write 'I hate it' if nothing else comes you write that for 3 pages.

7. Most importantly: commit to it for a month. You will want to stop at the beginning because 'it doesn't work for you'.

Believe me: you don't know until you stick with it long enough.

Let me know how you go!