Part of Writing

Part of Writing; 

it's not a wait for words, being more of a preparation really, showing me that a proper silence must be reached before inspiration begins to whisper. The best words arrive just after such a pause, but only when I allow this moment to be undisturbed, with no rush to begin writing, being content to sip my coffee and abide in the quiet hours of morning. 

that's part of writing too. 

truly, it begins well before I even reach my desk. The preparation is early, first accustoming myself with silence through a long meditation, priming my mind to be receptive, settling into a lasting stillness that carries me through the morning. This follows with a series of asanas, a yoga sequence specifically for writers, or at least this is what I tell myself as I begin to move through the postures, that I'm opening myself as a channel for inspiration to more easily reach me. But really, there's a physiological logic here, my body is learning to move from tension to stillness in a seamless stretch, holding an asana and then immediately relaxing in a restorative pose. Much like a flurry of words and then a sacred pause, activity to silence, and my practice has prepared me well to how this happens. 

it's the yoga of writing. 

even my coffee is a ritual, invoking inspiration as set water on to boil, adding spoonfuls of instant brew to a cup I've used forever, a gift from my mother when I first began drinking coffee so many decades ago now. I use this time to trace the many sources that have brought this moment to be, the richness of the grounds reflecting just the right amount of sunlight and rain, nourished by roots deep within earth, all those who have worked so long and hard to make this cup of coffee along with me. Infinite sources, too many to count in a simple ritual each morning - yet I allow my imagination to wander and try and get a sense of this connection, how a single cup connects me to the world. 

for me, it's an important part of writing. 

necessary. 

of course I could just wake up and write, or slim the rituals down to just drinking coffee as I'm writing, adding a grateful nod towards the infinite sources that brought it to my counter. But it doesn't work that way for me, not as well at least. My rituals aren't designed by habit, they all seem to arise spontaneously each morning, brand new with every waking, and their all performed wit equal joy ans care. Writing takes place well away from my desk, that's only where it reaches its conclusion. 

everything is part of writing. 

my entire day's a ritual, invoking inspiration.

if I'm aware enough to see it. 

~

Peace, Eric