Unlock Your Best Efforts~

Getting into the right frame of mind before you write is one of the best writing tools at hand. In the right state of mind, your doubts, frustrations, fears and all other hindrances take a back seat and allow you to focus.
Last week I offered a breath meditation as a prompt for your creative muse. It’s the one I use most often. I also find that walking meditation offers many of the same benefits and a few more as well.
 
As stated by Jack Kornfield, one of the most well-known mindfulness meditation teachers – Walking meditation is a simple and universal practice for developing calm, connectedness, and embodied awareness. It can be practiced regularly, before or after sitting meditation or any time on its own, such as after a busy day at work or on a lazy Sunday morning. The art of walking meditation is to learn to be aware as you walk, to use the natural movement of walking to cultivate mindfulness and wakeful presence.
 
The reason this works well for writers is that presence is the key to originality. When we are present, we draw from the deepest well of our unique and universal wisdom. It is that same place that most “AHA” moments come from.
 
When using a walking meditation, I usually walk with an intention or repeat a phrase (Mantra) to help me focus my attention. I’ve used the phrase – I free my mind of all hindrances to my creative muse, I am peaceful and calm, or simple the word “now,” anything to keep me present to the moment. And like I’d come back to the breath when I notice I’m drifting into thought, I come back to the word “now,” knowing it is in the present moment that my creativity reaches it’s fullest capacity.
 
I find this simple walking meditation practice as well as following the breath to be two of the keys to unlocking my best efforts – and my best writing. Try it and see what benefits await you.
 
Enjoy!