Writing in the Moment

Have you been watching the online show with Oprah and Eckhart Tolle discussing his book, A New Earth? The main theme he writes about is how the ego mind works in our lives. This is a topic that comes up frequently for myself and my clients in regards to the writing process. To really get into the creative flow, it is necessary to set aside the ego (I encourage a visualization of seeing the ego as a person and you are asking him or her to step outside the room before you start to write). When you can truly do this, you will find yourself in the present moment, because the ego only exists when your mind is either in the past or the future. When you have no thought of the past or future, you are completely connected with self, with source, and have now stepped into the flow. The more you write, the more you'll experience this state, and you'll start to find yourself able to do it in daily activities as well.

To do this when you are writing, allow the words to flow in a stream of consciousness. What the ego thrives on is fears, judgments, anxiety, and regrets you cling to in your thoughts. What stops people from truly sharing their emotions, experiences, and their true self is either a fear of the future or a regret about the past. In either case, you are no longer in the moment and you will experience struggle. This is the ego mind in control.

One tip that helped me when I was first understanding this concept years ago was to say the phrase, "I am claiming the moment" 500 times a day. To that point, I had not been a believer in affirmations, but a spiritual teacher recommended I try this every day. It took about three weeks and one day I realized that I was truly in the moment. It felt so freeing and blissful, I wanted to never let go of that moment, which immediately took me out of the present! Now, when I realize my thoughts are in the past or the future, I take a deep breath, let go of the thought, and come back to whatever it is I'm doing in that moment. The enjoyment returns, and I express my gratitude, which further expands my positive feeling. When writing, that allows me to access what is immediately in front of me and the struggle disappears.

I'd love to hear your own experiences with claiming the moment! I welcome your comments!