Matt Valentine's Blog for Writers and Readers

Does this sound like a strange combination? Well maybe it is but, for me, it works! Writing is a creative process that requires the right brain and the heart (right brain - intuitive, creative, feminine) and meditation helps to stimulate these by communicating with your body, mind and emotions - if you are doing it in the most helpful fashion.

Now this may sound like a contradiction but it is more of a paradox -  to write we also need the left brain (methodical, analytical, masculine) to play its vital role in solidifying the words that we present to the page in a manner that makes sense. So the process of meditation also aids this by opening the heart. Opening the heart stimulates the left brain? Yes it most definitely does! For when we open the heart (you will know this has happened when you giggle, cry or both) the surge of energy and chemical reaction that then takes place automatically integrates the left and right hemispheres of the brain AND at this point the third eye opens. The third eye is our 'all seeing eye' and centre of intuition and from this place we can effortlessly produce work. Result!

If meditation is not your thing, there is another way to bring about this integration. Simply try 'automatic writing' or 'freeflowing' which simply means that you grab your pen and write ANYTHING that pops through onto the paper. This will probably appear to be nonsense and okay you maybe wouldn't submit that to a publisher but not only can this be a beautiful cathartic exercise for you - it will also integrate the left and right brains.

The other thing you can do instead of or in addition to - is to have a pen/pencil/crayon etc in each hand and simultaneously scribble. The brains get so confused with this process that they simply surrender and integrate seamlessly into each other - and so the genius begins....