Morning Pages
As soon as I started blogging, last December,
I stopped writing my Morning Pages.
Well, almost stopped.
That’s not good for the soul.
Not good at all.
When I opened my (dust covered) notebook this week, I saw that I hadn’t written in it since Tuesday, May 6. Before that, the entries go back to January. No wonder my creativity wasn’t glowing — it was buried under a pile of brain crap!
The Artist’s Way
In case you haven’t heard of it before, Julia Cameron‘s The Artist’s Way is a course in discovering and recovering your creative self — A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity.
I came across this international bestseller in 2002, but only worked through it for the first time in 2003. As this book has done and continues to do for so many people all over the world, it stirred a huge awakening in me; it fueled lots of excitement, unearthed many childhood dreams, and boosted my determination to make these dreams a reality.
BUT… one has to keep at it.
The Basic Tools
The author tells us there are two pivotal tools in creative recovery: the Morning Pages and the Artist Date. And she stresses the fact that a lasting creative awakening requires the consistent use of both these tools.
The Morning Pages
Though The Artist’s Way gives a thorough explanation of what the Morning Pages are, I prefer the one given in Julia’s other book on creativity, Walking in This World.
Here’s an excerpt:
Morning Pages are the primary tool of a creative recovery. Three pages stream-of-consciousness writing done before the day “begins,” Morning Pages serve to prioritize, clarify, and ground the day’s activities.
Frequently fragmented, petty, even whining, Morning Pages were once called “brain drain” because they so clearly siphoned off negativity. Anything and everything is fuel for Morning Pages. They hold worries about a lover’s tone of voice, the car’s peculiar knocking, the source of this month’s rent money.
They hold reservations about a friendship, speculation about a job possibility, a reminder to buy Kitty Litter. They mention, sometimes repeatedly, overeating, undersleeping, overdrinking, and over- thinking, that favorite procrastinator’s poison artists are fond of.
I like to think of Morning Pages as a withdrawal process but not in the usual sense, where we withdraw from a substance taken away from us. No, instead, we do the withdrawing in Morning Pages. We pull ourselves inward to the core of our true values, perceptions, and agendas.
This process takes approximately a half hour — about the same time normally set aside for meditation. I have come to think of Morning Pages as a form of meditation, a particularly potent and freeing form for most hyperactive Westerners. Our worries, fantasies, anxieties, hopes, dreams, concerns, and convictions all float freely across the page. The page becomes the screen of our consciousness.
So I’m back to doing
my Morning Pages.
Consistently.
I feel better already.
Here’s a tip — When I get stuck and don’t know what to write (rare, but it happens), I simply ask myself, How have you been feeling lately? or, How are you feeling at the moment? This always gets me going. And it’s a great way to dig into my deepest innards and see if there’s any poop that needs cleaning. 
Next ritual I’ll be going back to: The Artist Date.
How about you?
Do you brain dump?
ELLIE says:
I have kept a journal since I was in high school much like your morning pages – but I would write in it at night – a review of the day and whatever went on and talk things out in it – coming up with solutions, ideas, answers, whatever it may be – yes it does help tremendously–like you I have not written in it for quite some time – I would say since january about. Perhaps I will look into writing in it again!
Good luck in keeping up with your morning pages!!Enjoy it!
Peace–Ellie
October 11, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Gilles says:
I am too lazy to write so I just stay in bed a little longer and brain dump. If something clever comes tomind, I willrecord it on a digital recorder.
I should get into a more formal form of meditation in the morning, that would probably generate useful morning thoughts on a more regular basis.
– Gilles
October 11, 2008 at 11:15 pm
Wayne says:
Yes I brain/mind dump. Have always done it at night to clear my mind out for a good night sleep, but i think I like this as it means you have all day to sort any problems you may have. Great post, thanks for sharing.
Wayne
October 12, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Marilyn Robertson says:
One of my favorite books, along with her others. I write fairly regularly. Used to be everyday, but sometimes now I skip a few. I do find it really helps, as you say, dump all the negatives. Also helps me consider the implication of whatever I was dreaming about and how it might be important.
October 13, 2008 at 1:22 pm
MuddLavoie says:
Bonjour Ellie!
It sounds like you know the benefits of connecting with your soul via journaling. Now that you’ve been more than 9 months without that special bond, don’t you feel a void?
I know I’m already feeling much more “in the moment” after only one week of morning pages. I’m home!
It’s easy to get carried away with everyday stuff. For me, it was the blog. But now, I know I need to continue the inner work I started many years ago. No more slacking.
Thanks for your comment. Hope to read you again.
Peace & Love
xoxo
October 14, 2008 at 6:00 am
MuddLavoie says:
Hi Gilles!
Not to say your morning rituals aren’t good, but I wish you’d try writing the morning pages for, let’s say, a month or so. I guarantee you’ll notice a difference in awareness and clarity.
C’m'on…do it!
xoxo
October 14, 2008 at 6:04 am
MuddLavoie says:
Hey Wayne!
I used to journal at night many moons ago. But I’m telling you, after starting the morning pages, I quickly noticed a huge difference: I’m much more focused on what I do and more aware of my thoughts and reactions.
Glad you dropped by. Don’t be a stranger!
xoxo
October 14, 2008 at 6:07 am
MuddLavoie says:
Hello Marilyn!
So true about the dreams. Everybody knows that if you don’t jot down what you were dreaming about as soon as you wake up, it all disappears. Since morning pages are done upon waking (okay, I do have to go to the bathroom first
), we’re sure to reap the messages sent to us from our subconscious.
Love ya!
xoxo
October 14, 2008 at 6:12 am