May | 2009 |

"The spiritual journey is what the soul is up to while we attend
to daily living. The spiritual journey is the soul's life
commingling with ordinary life. The fabric tears:
the soul sees Monday.
Monday sees the soul."
~Christina Baldwin~

Recently a new blog reader and virtual friend sent a message that one of his favorite books of all time is one written by Christina Baldwin entitled Life's Companion: Journal Writing as a Spiritual Practice. I promptly bought it and am delighted that I did.

Baldwin has a poetic style of writing, but is practical and permissive in her recommendations for journal writing. More than a "how to" book, she leads by example by providing some of her own journal entries and also the anonymous journal contributions from friends and other writers.

The result is a lovely book that inspires as well as enlightens. She points out that we are all embarked on a journey. Just by virtue of being alive and experiencing what we experience, we are moving through different passages of life.

She writes: "Marking passage is an ordinary process. The journey is already ongoing; it's simply a matter of acknowledging it. And the journal is an adaptable practice that can absorb as much or as little attention as you apply to it. It will fluctuate cheerfully, without complaints. The journal takes you and your journey as you are."

This was in the back of my mind today as I began my day with a brief journal entry. I was feeling crowded by a too full schedule which I had created, and was feeling the need to get on with it. No time for much reflection.

And three times today I heard myself suggesting to clients that they set aside some time for some quiet reflection and communion with the self. And that they use their journals (blow the dust off) as a means of doing so.

What is it that makes this an effective tool for psychological change? And what is it that makes journal writing a spiritual practice? As Baldwin pointed out, we are already embarked on the journey. And it will take us where ever it does. But we have a choice about whether we want to make the journey in consciousness and whether we will form it with clear intention. The journal is simply a means of observing ourselves and our lives. And for taking responsibility.

The alternative is to drift unconsciously, repeating old patterns from blueprints that we inherited or learned in our formative years. Continually reacting to circumstances and playing out the little dramas that captivate us. Unfortunately, this is all too easy, and leaves us feeling vaguely disappointed and empty while wishing for more.

So I'll leave you with the challenge that I gave myself at the end of my too-long day. And that is to clarify my intention to take some chunk of time daily to pause, breathe deeply, to read something inspiring, or to meditate, and to make a journal entry which observes and marks my journey for that day.

"In moments of ecstasy, in moments of despair the journal
remains an impassive, silent friend, forever ready
to coach, to confront, to critique, to console.
Its potential as a tool for holistic mental health
is unsurpassed."

~Kathleen Adams~

Writing lists is a quick and practical way to write in your journal. Lists are efficient and can't be beat for gathering information and getting quickly to the point. We can have a positive focus and on small things. Writing a list may also be a way to use possibility thinking, one of the tenants of Positive Psychology.

A year ago I attended a seminar by Kathleen Adams, Center for Journal Therapy, who was teaching participants how to use journal writing as a therapeutic tool. She suggests that we use the list of 100 to explore one single topic. Perhaps some "sticky wicket" of a problem that seems to be blocking our progress. Or maybe we are in the throes of grief after a big loss. Or it may be 100 Things I'm Proud of; or 100 Things I Enjoy.

Writing such a list will certainly clarify your mind. You will also notice certain repeating patterns in your thoughts, feelings and behaviors. And while it may seem at first to be obvious and repetitious, I would suggest that you stick with it, ignor any repetitions, letting them be part of the process. Very soon you will be diving beneath the surface of the obvious and into new territory.

And despite the length of the list (100 seems like a lot!) you will be able to write it in 20 minutes or so. Remind yourself to just jot down whatever comes to mind. You can sift, group them into themes later.

Try one of these:

100 Reasons That I'm Still Smoking
100 Reasons For Staying In My Present Job
100 Current Stresses
100 Things I Am Grateful For
100 Reasons I Am Bearing a Grudge
100 Fears About Money
100 Reasons I Don't Stand Up for Myself
100 Reasons For Not Meeting My Goals

Adams says that we can expect that the first third of the list is stuff that you know that you know. The second third of the list are probably the real reasons or answers to the question. And the last third of the list is often unconscious material related to the question.

In short, the major benefit of writing the list of 100 is to reveal what is not obvious. And when you reveal this to yourself, then you are in a position to make use of it to further understand yourself, to make goals and to set intentions.

Happy Writing!

Monthly Archives: May 2009

Marking The Journey

List of One Hundred Part II