When Writing - Let Inspiration Be Your Guide

One of the definitions of inspiration that has always fascinated me is "the act of drawing in; specifically : the drawing of air into the lungs." This also is a far sight better than its opposite, expiration! (Sorry, couldn't help myself)

As I often do prior to writing I sit for a period of time and soak in my surroundings, consciously attempting to open my spiritual heart to as many possibilities as possible. In this way I allow the universe outside of me as well as the universe inside of me to participate in the development of my hopes, dreams and writing.

This definition of inspiration resonates with my view of writing (and living) because I see writing in any form as a very unique, yet natural process, as natural as breathing - and as necessary too! What would we do without breathing?

So, by definition. inspiration is the drawing in of air into our lungs. But spiritually speaking, more than life giving air is entering our bodies with each breath. Breathing is the embodiment of life. (Just try doing without it.) Because the simple act of breathing fills us with life, enormous potential and possibility, we can go beyond the limits of this world. We can communicate with the creator of life itself. How's that for inspiration?

Of course, this isn't a slam dunk, especially if you are one who chooses not to be aware of the many gifts within and without; gifts given to us sometimes unknown to us at the time they are delivered, but within and around us all the same. The reason inspiration is not only life giving from a physical viewpoint but also from a viewpoint of manifestation is that in us, inspiration duplicates or multiplies the original gift that entered our minds and bodies on the wings of a whisper as the physical air entered our nostrils. That's the beauty of life, constantly reproducing itself, perhaps through something as natural, beautiful and necessary as breathing.

It is for this reason, I think, that Maharaji Prem Rawat says:

Make this breath count,

Make this day count,

Make this life count.

So the next time writers block creeps in or when you are unsure which angle to take or how to express your innermost thoughts, close your eyes and ...Breathe...Breathe...Breathe. For you will be filled with a creative force you could not possibly imagine otherwise.

As long as you breathe you will never be at a loss for words. You will ever be able to open your heart to see what hasn't been seen, feel what hasn't been felt and you will sing the songs of life that can be sung, spoken or written in no other way. You must only realize that when you breathe you are connected to the source of all being through each moment. Each inhalation brings a whisper of creativity from a place infinitely far away and infinitely as close as your next breath! Happy writing my friends and peace be with you!