Usually, when meditation is brought up in conversation as a possible solution to one’s problem, it is often met with the response of, “Oh no, I can’t do that. I could never make myself stop thinking.”
And this is where the misconception comes in.
It is impossible to completely shut one’s mind off (that is, if you’re still alive); therefore, meditation does not set that unachievable expectation. What it asks of an individual, is greater consciousness.
That sounds profound and somewhat philosophical, I know, but it’s really not. How I came to understand this is through my own practice.
Meditation is something I adopted into my daily routine two years ago, as a tool for dealing with general anxiety. In doing so, I found that it also assisted in lessening the writer’s block and stress I would experience with any assignment that involved writing.
I’ve always found it ironic how I’m a writing tutor (three years now), but one of my biggest sources of stress and anxiety is sitting down and, well, doing my writing. Meditation has proved invaluable for me in a personal manner and as a writer; and it may have a similar result for you.
Let’s dive deeper into what exactly is meditation and how it can help you as a writer.
Meditation Is What Now?
Alright, we’ll begin by talking about how to open up your third eye and methods for aligning your chakras.
Just kidding… We’ll save that topic for another day!
So meditation, what is it? It is a mental practice that revolves around mindfulness with the only requirements being one’s time and attention.
Meditation serves as a source of mind and body connection; one that produces an overall state of relaxation. As the Mayo Clinic notes, “meditation has been practiced for thousands of years” and based on countless studies, it has proven to “result in enhanced physical and emotional well-being” (Mayo Clinic Staff).
The practice can manifest in several different forms such as guided meditation, mantra meditation, mindfulness meditation, Tai Chi, and Yoga.
While these are slightly different, they all rely on the foundation of mindfulness. Therefore, today we will be focusing on how to experience mindfulness meditation and how it is transferable to other aspects of life.
How Do You Mindfully Meditate?
- Find a comfortable space; one with few distractions and where you feel at ease.
- Come into a position of your choice; possibly seated or lying down.
- Close your eyes and begin to consciously breathe; meaning— take deep breaths and be aware of each inhale and exhale.
- Be present with the sensations of the body and your emotions.
- The mind will wander, and that is ok. “When this happens simply notice what it is you were thinking about or what was distracting you, then take a moment and pause” (Gelles). Then come back to the present moment.
- Remain in meditation for however long feels best for you. This may be 5 mins or 30 mins; it’s unique to you!
Just like any skill, to be strengthened meditation requires continually coming back and trying.
A great tool for getting started is guided meditations with an instructor who will “remind you to come back to the present moment”, “release distractions”, and “not be so hard on yourself” (Gelles). There are plenty of excellent free resources via Podcasts and YouTube, such as content from Yoga With Adriene and Boho Beautiful. There is also a paid, though student-discounted, app called HeadSpace, with thousands of audio guided meditations.
Meditation Helps Writers How?
Individuals often experience stress and anxiety when writing; and those are two emotional responses that meditation reduces.
At times, the pressure of writing, whether it be for school, work, or leisure, can feel debilitating. When faced with such emotions, meditation can come in. It can be used to encourage a flow state; that is, a flow of creativity and ultimately, words (Robson).
Activity in the “prefrontal cortex of the brain is reduced” allowing for the “logical, thinking brain to” relax, which often results in “spontaneous inspiration and creative breakthroughs” (Robson). Meaning that one can start overcoming their writer’s block.
As noted in the American Writers & Artists Institutes’ article, “5 Big Benefits of Meditation for Writers,” the benefits aside from lessening writer’s block are as follows:
- Combating Stress
- Increasing Concentration and Focus
- Regaining Perspective
- Boosting Self-Control and Motivation
My Experience with Meditation as a Writer
As a writer, I consider meditation a life-changing tool.
Given that I’m prone to overthinking and perfectionism, meditation granted me a space to release those things and be present.
While it is not a solution that lasts permanently, its effects can still be felt for a considerable amount of time after each practice. Indeed, I continue to practice daily because I have experienced its ability to help center my mind, take a break from the pressures of writing, and inspire creative flow. I encourage all writers to give it a couple of tries because the benefits of it may surprise them.
Works Cited
Gelles, David. “How to Meditate.” The New York Times, The New York Times, www.nytimes.com/guides/well/how-to-meditate.
Mayo Clinic Staff. “A Beginner’s Guide to Meditation.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 29 Apr. 2022, www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/meditation/in-depth/meditation/art-20045858.
Robson, Heather. “5 Big Benefits of Meditation for Writers by Heather Robson.” American Writers & Artists Institute, www.awai.com/2019/02/5-big-benefits-of-meditation-for-writers/.