When you do things from your soul you feel a river moving in you, a joy. – Jalal ad-Din Rumi
Writing down your soul?
What does that mean?
Janet Conner explains very eloquently in her book: ‘Writing Down your Soul’ and in this interview, that the ‘Soul’ is a name for that part of you, inside you, that’s wise and knowing. And that anyone, that’s right anyone, can access that wisdom readily by following the 4 steps below.
Not too long ago Janet’s life changed, very dramatically. While in the throes of that situation, the ‘voice’ discovered her! Actually it was her dog that led her to what she needed at that crucial time in her life. Listen to her here in Part 1 of my interview with her.
Did you know that when you practice the kind of writing that Janet describes in her book and in her interview, your brain operates at the ‘Theta’ brain wave state? Did you realize that in that state your body becomes stronger and healthier, that the levels of t-lymphcytes shoot up? In that state you gain access to your deeper self and greater creativity. On the other hand unexpressed emotions actually constrict blood flow to your brain! And ‘emotion peptides’ in each cell of you body control your emotions. A ‘Theory of Emotion’ that talks about the molecules of emotion was coined by Candace Pert.
Janet discusses all this and much more in her book! Janet’s goal is to have everyone get in touch with their own inner creativity and bless the world in their unique ways!
Put your ear down close to your soul and listen hard. – Anne Sexton
The Four Steps
one Show up: Ideally setup a regular time and place where you make your daily date with reality. Yes this is your opportunity to connect with reality at a deeper-than-normal level!
two Open up: Start with a prayer or an intention to connect. Then pick up your pen and start writing away! If you’re on a computer, close your eyes as you type. If you can’t type that way then you should hand-write. As you write you want to a. Share with your soul what’s on the top of your mind. b. Write about your emotions and what’s bothering you. Dig deep within you to access parts that don’t easily show up otherwise. c. Write with abandon. Don’t stop or hesitate, don’t worry about grammar or spelling errors. Write what comes to mind.
three Listen up: After you’ve poured your heart out. It’s your turn to listen and ask questions. Now a. Be in the moment and trust that your soul will now communicate with you b. Listen deeply, notice thoughts that come up, write them down c. Write what comes to you. d. Ask questions e. Keep writing
four Follow up: Now notice what you received. What you receive will get more specific and voluminous over time. Pay heed to what you hear. The ‘voice’ of the soul is enmeshed into your thinking and your thoughts. It’s always present. Acknowledge it and follow-up.
When done regularly these steps allow you to enter the ‘Theta’ brain wave level of consciousness. Like any habit it takes at least 30 days of practice to create new neural pathways. Make it an exquisite experience, don’t turn it into a must-do kind of an activity. Janet warns that you shouldn’t attempt this exercise if you want to stay complacent and not make any major changes in your life! All good must come from change. And when you connect with that ‘voice’ from deep inside you, your life will start to change, forever…
Resources: www.writingdownyoursoul.com
- ‘Plug-in’ workshops for creators, writers and artists
- ‘You are a Lily’ a tele-class and Janet’s next book!
- Sign up for her newsletter
Recommendation: Writing Down Your Soul
