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“Both writing and meditation are ways to expand and enrich time. In meditation, we learn to examine our thoughts and feelings from a new perspective, to watch the river of our consciousness flow by, observing it but not attaching ourselves to it. We train ourselves to have a meta-consciousness that observes ourselves observing, and that enlarges moments into infinity. In writing, we also develop that meta-consciousness. We experience our lives as lived events, but also as material to be carefully examined later for richness and meaning. Just as meditation makes life more aware and joyous, so writing allows us to live more deeply and fully. Both involved the sanctification of time.” -Mary Pipher, Writing to Change the World

I agree with Mary. To me writing takes me out of myself, where I become the performer and the observer at the same time– a part of me writes, the other observes– and when I come out of it, it is indeed like falling out of a meditative trance. This does not happen all the time– and nowadays takes the effort of visiting cafés –my monkey mind needs to be pandered to before it would settle down– whether it is to writing, or meditation!

So, is writing a meditation for you?

Damyanti Biswas

Damyanti Biswas is the author of You Beneath Your Skin and numerous short stories that have been published in magazines and anthologies in the US, the UK, and Asia. She has been shortlisted for Best Small Fictions and Bath Novel Awards and is co-editor of the Forge Literary Magazine. Her literary crime thriller series, the Blue Mumbai, is represented by Lucienne Diver from The Knight Agency. Both The Blue Bar and The Blue Monsoon were published in 2023.

I appreciate comments, and I always visit back. If you're having trouble commenting, let me know via the contact form, or tweet me up @damyantig !

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12 Comments

  • Yes it is! Actually, writing is in many ways even more effective because you feel more productive at the end of a good old writing session than at the end of a meditative cycle.

    Or at least I do.

    Moreover, my mind tends to wander when meditating. It never wanders when I'm writing…unless it's to another part of book world

  • klahanie says:

    Greetings Damyanti,
    Ah writing. Reaching inside our minds and embracing the wonder of the inner child. A reflection, meditation via writing, for the heart and soul.
    Gary

  • Eve says:

    Sometimes I can compare writing to meditation…the same thing happens when you walk, or drive home from somewhere, and as soon as you pull up infront of the house, you can't remember how you got there. It's like a self-hypnosis kind of thing..very interesting!

  • This is really interesting. I never thought of it that way, but sometimes, writing is like that for me. It drains and refreshes at the same time.

  • Lynn Proctor says:

    interesting post 🙂

  • I agree that it takes you away from your typical thought patterns and accompanying familiar stresses. For that reason the mind-state during writing is extremely relaxing. It is not meditation in the strict sense of stilling the mind, which has additional advantages.Great post!

  • Donna Hole says:

    When I'm writing I get in "the zone", so it can be the same as meditation.

    …….dhole

  • I agree! It's losing yourself in a whole other world. I think that's what keeps me writing. 🙂

  • If it is, then I need to meditate harder.

  • Mina Lobo says:

    I certainly feel like I've emerged from an altered state of consciousness when I come out of an intense writing fit. Very satisfying. But I'm not sure I could compare it to meditating, as I've no idea how to meditate! 🙂
    Some Dark Romantic

  • JC Piech says:

    Oh yes, most definitely! When I'm caught up in the flow of it. When I'm struggling and staring at a blank page, feeling frustration, that's kind of the opposite. But then I find if I take a break, have a cup of tea, and try not to think too hard about it (kind of a meditation) then the ideas usually start flowing 🙂

    Great post!

  • Tonja says:

    It can be. I definitely get lost in it sometimes.