Thank you Jane and Cyndi. I love the question about spirituality and writing and found the answer chock full of delicious tidbits. Of course, it's refreshing to hear that an accomplished meditator and yoga still has that much resistance (I know it's true for all of us but still nice to hear). The consistency message is one I have also found helpful for meeting myself on the page. Before I was writing here on Substack there was constant, sporadic writing which served me in a different way. As you said Cyndi, a committed daily practice keeps the flow of awareness going even when it seems we can't access it fully.
Such wisdom, such compassion, such beautiful dharma sisters, so lucky to know you both. As long as I can remember I have wanted to write, never showing anyone, and keeping track of how I might proceed. Improvsers "write on their feet" and the discipline of writing was never so clearly stated in the skillful questions, and honest straightforward useful suggestions. Such lovely "tidbits" of wisdom from yogini Cyndi, Rimpoche and the incomparable interviewer and writer Jane.
This was so helpful as so many of your pieces are! I have yet to build that practice for Substack and Cyndi’s seems very doable for me. Thank you both!
Yes, writing happens drip by drip, letter by letter, word by word, sentence by sentence, and on we go. Is that not life itself? Breath by breath, moment by moment, minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day. When we live within the drips, in the moments and in the hours of each day, we know what it means to be alive to all that is. To be and to become we embrace life in its fullness every day, give thanks and celebrate.
Loved this! It is exactly how my writing practice feels: breath by breath, moment by moment, drip by drip. Non aggressive, curious, open and patient. I have found many similarities between yoga/ meditation and writing. And both practices bring so much joy and wisdom into my life. Thank you for this piece!
Thank you so much for sharing this incredible essay! As someone who just started practicing yoga several months ago and has been struggling as of late to commit to my lifelong desire to write, I can't think of anything more serendipitous than stumbling across this gem. I am going to take this as my sign to practice, practice, practice!
I relate so much to this, and especially the drip, drip, drip, the power of scheduling writing sessions, and not being in a hurry. Slowing down has been my mantra since January, and it’s amazed me how much less i suffer when I don’t hurry. And how the puzzle pieces will still fall into place. What needs to get done gets done. Thanks to you both for this beautiful interview!
This is just great. Brilliant application of some of Gautama's ideas and so practical. I think I will be rereading this a few times and, increasingly, trying to act on it. Just thanks really - thanks a lot!
I love this so much. I've had a daily yoga practice for 11 years and so relate to that description of dragging yourself to the mat every day. Every day is a tussle with myself, and every day I'm glad I did it afterwards. I haven't been so disciplined with the writing (yet) but the parallels are very clear, and I do believe the daily yoga supports the writing, by quietening the noise, clearing the static, and allowing myself to access the words that want to come through.
So incredibly helpful in so many ways, thank you so much!
What freedom it must be to be in a state of anticipation of those kinds of feelings. This is truly brilliant🙏
"The dharma instruction to invite that feeling to come along with you is so brilliant. I can’t wait for the mood to hit. I bring my whole self with me onto the mat. I bring my boredom, sluggishness, bad mood - all of it."
I needed to read this today as my writing goes drip…drip…drip!
Thank you Jane and Cyndi. I love the question about spirituality and writing and found the answer chock full of delicious tidbits. Of course, it's refreshing to hear that an accomplished meditator and yoga still has that much resistance (I know it's true for all of us but still nice to hear). The consistency message is one I have also found helpful for meeting myself on the page. Before I was writing here on Substack there was constant, sporadic writing which served me in a different way. As you said Cyndi, a committed daily practice keeps the flow of awareness going even when it seems we can't access it fully.
Thanks so much.
Thank you for sharing this. I gleaned many insights.
Such wisdom, such compassion, such beautiful dharma sisters, so lucky to know you both. As long as I can remember I have wanted to write, never showing anyone, and keeping track of how I might proceed. Improvsers "write on their feet" and the discipline of writing was never so clearly stated in the skillful questions, and honest straightforward useful suggestions. Such lovely "tidbits" of wisdom from yogini Cyndi, Rimpoche and the incomparable interviewer and writer Jane.
"if I stick with it something worthwhile will happen." That's called hope. Ya can't write without it.
Absolutely loved this.
This was so helpful as so many of your pieces are! I have yet to build that practice for Substack and Cyndi’s seems very doable for me. Thank you both!
Another banger! I'm getting into writing and meditation at the same time so this one hits hard for me.
Thank you for the post.
Yes, writing happens drip by drip, letter by letter, word by word, sentence by sentence, and on we go. Is that not life itself? Breath by breath, moment by moment, minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day. When we live within the drips, in the moments and in the hours of each day, we know what it means to be alive to all that is. To be and to become we embrace life in its fullness every day, give thanks and celebrate.
Loved this! It is exactly how my writing practice feels: breath by breath, moment by moment, drip by drip. Non aggressive, curious, open and patient. I have found many similarities between yoga/ meditation and writing. And both practices bring so much joy and wisdom into my life. Thank you for this piece!
Thank you so much for sharing this incredible essay! As someone who just started practicing yoga several months ago and has been struggling as of late to commit to my lifelong desire to write, I can't think of anything more serendipitous than stumbling across this gem. I am going to take this as my sign to practice, practice, practice!
I relate so much to this, and especially the drip, drip, drip, the power of scheduling writing sessions, and not being in a hurry. Slowing down has been my mantra since January, and it’s amazed me how much less i suffer when I don’t hurry. And how the puzzle pieces will still fall into place. What needs to get done gets done. Thanks to you both for this beautiful interview!
This is just great. Brilliant application of some of Gautama's ideas and so practical. I think I will be rereading this a few times and, increasingly, trying to act on it. Just thanks really - thanks a lot!
I love this so much. I've had a daily yoga practice for 11 years and so relate to that description of dragging yourself to the mat every day. Every day is a tussle with myself, and every day I'm glad I did it afterwards. I haven't been so disciplined with the writing (yet) but the parallels are very clear, and I do believe the daily yoga supports the writing, by quietening the noise, clearing the static, and allowing myself to access the words that want to come through.
“Like all my other practices, it is about getting to know myself.” Love this!
Also, “it’s all about the scheduling, my dear.”
So incredibly helpful in so many ways, thank you so much!
What freedom it must be to be in a state of anticipation of those kinds of feelings. This is truly brilliant🙏
"The dharma instruction to invite that feeling to come along with you is so brilliant. I can’t wait for the mood to hit. I bring my whole self with me onto the mat. I bring my boredom, sluggishness, bad mood - all of it."