Writing before the writing

I find myself more and more often referring to writing as a meditative practice. It much easier on me. It asks so much less of me, asks me to maintain much less. And it stops people from asking me follow up questions to which I would most likely give even more confusing replies. So it is win-win.

I recently finished Fabrice Midal’s book, The French Art of Not Giving Sh**. He is among other things, the founder of the Western School of Meditation. Reading a wisdom book every morning after journaling while having my doppio is cornerstone of my writing practice. I’ve read too many wisdom books to list them all here, but I like to poke around a few pages at time to find ways to help my writing practice.

My writing practice is turned inward for answers not outward. I don’t even like the words answers there. Let me try the word energy. Mental energy, flowing clear and free of attachment and expectation. There is where the novels begin, not at the keyboard of the laptop.

I go as for to say that I don’t’ write, I farm or direct mental energy. And so after reading the first page of The French Art, I had found a fellow traveler. Fabrice describes his meditative practices in a way that echoes my writing practice. So below are a few more thoughts from a mediation book on not meditating that I feel apply to my writing while not writing. It may help you understand what I’m saying when I write lines like that one. If not, at least, they may help me. Here goes:

Five thoughts not about writing for a post about writing

My aim (while meditating) is not to become wise, or calm, or patient. I have no aim, no objective, not even the idea of starting or finishing the day in particular state of mind.

I’ll buy something, so as to feel better, but once I’ve bought this product, I’ll no longer feel satisfied. I will immediately need something else. Whatever is offered next. As if it were outside of us.

Personally, I have no confidence in what I call “me.” I have confidence in the profoundness of meditation, because I have seen the fruits

Giving up on understanding everything is the only way to remain faithful to true human existence.

I still have lofty aspirations, but they steer clear of the cruelty of perfection.