JOURNAL KEEPING

Nothing changes if nothing changes. Think about it: How often do we wish for change in our lives, drive our friends crazy moaning and wailing about it, and still be moaning weeks, months, or Heaven Forbid, even years later. We do the “I can’t because,” and the “If only” routines, sprinkled with various tales of our victimhood by boss, family, significant other, the government, weather, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

How are we to effectively address the changes we need to create in our life? You may have developed your way of getting enough information, insight and energy in order to take your life on to the next step of its’ journey. If you have not, I’d like to share a process that has been of use to many: Keeping a daily journal. The idea of journal writing is certainly not new; what can make it new is the daily practice. Begin with creating sacred space, usually in your home.

“Sacred” can be defined as having to do with that which is apart from the material world, and associated with the spiritual or transpersonal. And then again, sacred can just mean something that is set apart and dedicated to a person, object or purpose. With or without an emphasis on spirit, journal keeping requires special time dedicated to the purpose of knowing ourselves, and directing our lives from this center of knowingness.

A formula that has served many to begin is as follows:

1) Purchase the journal of your choice. It should appeal to you in some way, be easy to write in, and easy to stash in a safe, out-of-the-way place. People ask, “Why not use the computer?” Some do and it works well for them. It is true, however; when we write by hand the more creative aspect of ourselves tends to come out. What works for you works.

2) Decide where you are most comfortable: A chair? Desk? The bed? With your back to a corner? Facing windows? The idea is to have command of the space and be with yourself, without being intruded upon.

3) What time of day will best afford you quasi alert quiet time? Are you a morning or evening person? Would you rather get up an hour early, or could you schedule your sequestered time best in the evening?

4) If possible, disengage the ringer and volume on your phone and turn off your cell phone, beeper and any other tekky communication tool that will ring your bell. Put a sticky note on your closed door which states that you are incommunicado for an hour. As much as possible decide not to let yourself be disturbed by anything that goes on while you are in sacred time.

5) Decide if you are helped or hindered by music (usually without lyrics), and do whichever enhances your sacred time.

6) Light a candle signifying the start of this journal keeping ritual. Incense works as well, however the candle flame represent for some, a metaphor for light-bringing illumination. As such, the flame can be seen as conveying spiritual fire and intentionality, which might enlarge your efforts.

7) Ask the God of Your Understanding for guidance.

8) Date the journal entry. Begin by reporting what is going on in your life. Include events and emotional responses. Write as if you are addressing a trusted and intimate friend.

9) Ask questions starting with who, what, when where and how (Good journalism questions!) about the process you’ve just described.

10) If you imagine answers, write them in green (Or purple. Choose whichever color might indicate inspiration.)

11) If there have been dreams, record those in red with present tense factual reporting of events and feelings, but devoid of any interpretation. (Dream work is often revealing, and there are many ways to work the dream. See sandyfostermorrison.com/Reflections for related information)

12) Title the dream.

13) Sit quietly either with your eyes closed, fixed on the candle flame, or focused on some object. Reflect on what you have written and wait for illumination.

14) As you receive additional insight, write this in your journal, again with green ink.

15) Close your journal.

16) Blow out the candle.

17) Go about your day, or go to sleep, with the anticipation that answers to your questions will come.

18) When you begin your journal keeping process again, first read the previous journal entries, and make notes about your observations over the last twenty-four hours. Now the magic of journal keeping begins to manifest! To your surprise, you will note that questions may start being answered by synchronistic events, and in surprising ways. It has been said that if we figure out what our questions are, we can know the answers.

19) Keep at it.

20) Share your discoveries with intimate friends.

21) Enjoy your growth.

The movie Braveheart has become a classic that touches hearts with the age-old story of true love, sacrifice and devotion to higher ideals. In one mystical interlude, the hero, William Wallace, awakened from a dream that propelled him onto his feet, and sent him searching in the forest for a voice which called his name: “William. William. Wake up, William, wake up.”

In the wooded mists, Wallace experienced a vision of his lost love, cruelly executed for choosing to love him alone. His failure to be awake to the political intrigue which swirled around him was eventually his undoing. How well are you listening? Do you know your questions? Are you willing to challenge yourself to a simple discipline that can change your life? Are you avoiding knowledge of your undoing, and sleeping through messages that your psyche is attempting to bring? Wake up!