(PROPRIOCEPTIVE WRITING)
Hearing that inner voice is as basic a sense as seeing, smelling, tasting, touching and hearing. Very young children have this internal hearing sense fully intact, until life happens.
Through our lives, we’re often taught in ways that ground us, choking the ability to hear our voices on an internal level. Even trauma can leave us “senseless,” as far as this instinctive sense is concerned. Losing this ability can be as devastating as losing our sight; whereas, we become blind. The truth is, many of the questions concerning life can be answered within ourselves. Yes, most of the answers to the ever-puzzling mysteries of life are right at our fingertips. We know the answers; we just don’t know how to access them.
Personally, as a child, I was a daydreamer, and was often called into the principal’s office where my parents sat waiting for me.
“She won’t pay attention in class! She doesn’t talk much, and when she does speak, we can’t hear her!” Other times, these notes were, habitually, written on my report cards. I still have them.
When I take them out to read, I’m often reminded of part of a song sung by artist Shawn Mullins: “Sometimes us dreamers just get in the way.” Now, I smile about the fact that I was, and still am, a daydreamer. I’m not alone. You’re not alone. Being a dreamer is a good thing, though many adults sought to strip us of this innate need, albeit unknowingly. Many were successful. In actuality, we were cut off from our imaginations. This can lead to feelings of isolation, stress, distrust of self and much more.
For the majority of us, what life stripped away, we can gain back. As we move into the practice of proprioceptive writing, the sense of hearing that internal voice will return, but only with practice. I’ll explain the essentials of this practice later in this column. First, I want to stress the importance of gaining this internal hearing sense back. We must be able to learn to write while listening to our own voices, our own thoughts, and from that focus will come memory, detail, and story.
As we practice listening to our own voices, we will soon gain a more rounded view of who we are as well as why we think as we do. And, when we make this connection with ourselves again, the creative aspects needed for our art forms will flourish. That’s how better writing comes about.
The ability to hear ourselves on an internal level, for the artist especially, can make all the difference in the creative process. Essentially, we’re going to relearn something as necessary to our sense of being as hearing is to our universal need for music on an external level. Mere vibrations can’t fill that yearning to hear music. Music has been dubbed the “Language of the soul,” and rightfully so. We listen to music, not just for the sake of listening, alone, but because we are fulfilled, touched, soothed, even moved by music. I’m sure most of us would agree that music is a necessity in our lives.
When we’re unable to hear that inner voice that is buried inside of us, our creativity suffers as much as our lives. Whether we’re poets, writers, painters, composers, dancers, fashion designers, interior decorators, or people in numerous other careers that require creative input, we absolutely, must tap into and regain this essential dormant ability if we want to grow and reach our dreams where no boundaries exist.
We’re going to awaken the auditory imagination! Remember, this is not formal writing, which tends to frighten many aspiring and even professional writers because there are so many rules. Learning the mechanics of formal writing alone can create a sense of fear in any writer. As we struggle to write without the ability to listen to ourselves, that’s where we lose. Our writing suffers due to the lack of this sense.
When you delve into proprioceptive writing, I want you to be aware that there are no rules, so there are no mistakes! Don’t worry about such things as spelling, punctuation, grammar, and so on. The purpose is simply to write. Focus only on your thoughts and begin writing.
Some people who already practice proprioceptive writing on a daily basis state that it is similar to meditation. In a way, they’re correct. Like meditation, proprioceptive writing must become habit, and it also brings about a sense of calm and well-being. Many others have stated that this form of writing has changed their lives for the better as much as their writing. These are the fringe benefits that often enter the realm of our daily practice in listening and writing, and can only add to what we will gain in writing ability.
Each student must perform 100 percent of the work. Can you spare 25 minutes out of your day? I certainly can, if it means learning to write more powerful, well-rounded and imaginative poetry, short stories, articles, novels, essays, etc. If you are absolutely serious about becoming a better writer, then continue reading.
Again, I must emphasize that this is an individual journey, and like DNA, no two experiences are alike. As stated earlier, other things might occur that you did not expect. Many people who have attended workshops that teach this basic form of writing have come away less agitated, more patient, and often have a better understanding of who they are. This daily practice has been known to reduce stress, even provide healing from past experiences, and much more.
People often say that they’ve not only become better writers, but also better people with more insight as to the world in which we live. And others relate the practice to a spiritual journey. Personally, I’m as open to these life-changing possibilities as I am to becoming a better writer. Each person must be open-minded and eager in order to reach full potential.
Remember, you’ll only gain what you put into the practice. As you practice, I’d be interested in learning the revelations that might occur as well as other experiences as we all engage in proprioceptive writing. You don’t have to share if you choose not to, but sharing can help direct others who may be struggling and can serve as a release to the individual who shares. Please remember, no sharing outside the group.
Now, I’m going to tell you what you need to begin the retrieval process that often brings about more positive results than just becoming better writers and more creative thinkers.
The items you will need are simple: You must have a candle, blank sheets of paper, a folder, pen or pencil, music without words, and approximately 25 minutes of uninterrupted time every single day. The latter means taking the phone off the hook, and letting friends and relatives know that this is your time.
Don’t bring any beverages or food to your writing place. Sipping and/or chewing can be a distraction. We don’t want any distractions of any kind.
The candle is a focus device, as well as a calming tool. We’ll be using unlined paper because it’s important to get away from the strict writing methods taught throughout our education phases. The blank sheet of paper represents freedom and helps open the mind as much as the candle calms us. The need for the pen or pencil speaks for itself. And, the music without words is essential to this practice.
Baroque music is recommended. This type of music has produced dramatic results in studies. It taps into and engages the right side of the brain, which is where our creativity resides. At first, the music may seem distracting, but I encourage each of you to continue playing it as you write. Soon, you won’t even notice it; yet, on a subconscious level, you’ll be drinking it in like rain on the Sahara. If you don’t have this type of music, it’s relatively inexpensive to purchase in stores. You can also download the music to your computer’s hard-drive and burn your own CD. Or, perhaps you know somebody who owns classical music and would allow you to borrow a CD. The point is to obtain the music any way you can.
My personal preference is “Handel Water Music, Suites 1-3, Budapest Strings.” Other suggestions include Straus, Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Bach, Vivaldi, Beethoven and Mozart, though there are many more masters of classical music. The choice is yours. Make sure it’s soothing, some slow, some fast. For obvious reasons, I wouldn’t recommend Mozart’s “Requiem.”
Now, we have everything we need to begin, I hope! I want to stress that we keep our “Inner-thought Writes,” (ITWs) in a folder for future reference. And, please stick to the 25-minute period, no more and no less. If you find yourself saying, “I don’t have 25 minutes to spare,” then you’re not that interested in becoming a better writer. The time is there; we just have to find it. No excuses. This must become a daily practice. Although each of you will be launched in six weeks, I’m asking that you, at least, give this practice two weeks of your undivided attention and dedication. You won’t be sorry.
Let’s discuss the process. The table should be cleared of all clutter. The candle is lit, the music is playing softly in the background and you’re looking down at a blank sheet of paper while holding a pen or pencil in your hand. You’re probably asking, “What do I do now?”
At the very moment the ink touches the paper, I want you to write whatever is in your thoughts that very minute. You were just thinking, “What do I do now?” Write that. You might be angry with someone, and often, early ITWs are vents, and can be very emotional. That’s okay. The point is to start at the middle of a thought, no matter what thoughts are brewing in your mind. Perhaps a bird is perched on your windowsill, so that’s your thought that very moment, and that’s what you write about. Just allow the thoughts to flow, and write them as they flow. In these ITWs, there doesn’t have to be a beginning or an end. Write whatever thoughts are floating around in your mind.
One of my earlier ITWs was simply about the fact that I was frustrated because I didn’t know what to write. So, I wrote about that, my frustration. Another write ended up being about a person who had hurt me, and my reaction to that internal injury. And, I actually ended up answering my own questions due to another part of this process. That’s due to the “Internal-thought Write Question” (ITWQ), which play a very large role in learning to hear our inner thoughts, that inner voice. Question?
“What do I mean by ____?” We must ask ourselves this question periodically throughout each write, and answer truthfully. Remember, we are safe, contained, and there is no judge and jury. Free your thoughts to be. We must allow our imaginations to build playgrounds into the intellectual part of our beings. The two must join, become one. As we progress, we won’t have to constantly remind ourselves to ask this question. It will already be dangling in the air, ready when we’re ready.
Okay, now you’ve completed one session. Before you blow out the candle, there are four additional questions you must ask yourself. Breathe deeply and recall the past 25 minutes. Then answer these four concluding questions:
- What thoughts were heard but not written?
- How or what do I feel now?
- What larger story is this write a part of?
- During the write; what ideas came up for future writes?
Once you’ve answered these questions, blow out the candle. If anything of interest occurs, please let me know via e-mail. I might want to use a few experiences in future columns. You can remain anonymous if you desire. Please, practice this everyday, without exception. This is for you! By about the fourth write, you should notice some changes. Stick with it, because you’ve only begun this incredible journey. I'll see you next week!
Kelly Varner Johnson a.k.a Kelly R. Stevens kvwriter@yahoo.com Many have joined us in this learning experience. Remember to write what you hear, and to listen to what you write. And, keep the question at hand, as it is an integral part in unlocking our imaginations! Best wishes!
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