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.
Aw, Rochelle, we're the lucky ones! Thanks for the kind words and your undying support! I'm glad Cyndi's words have inspired you to sit down and write! (At least, that's how I'm reading your comment!!) The world needs your words! 🌸
Thank you, dear dharma sister! I'm pretty sure if you can "write on your feet" you can write on your seat, too. lol I would love to read your thoughts! xo
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!
Haha. I know just what you mean! But it all adds up!
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.
A daily practice makes such a difference! So glad you enjoyed Cyndi's wisdom! 🌸
So glad you found it helpful!
Thank you for sharing this. I gleaned many insights.
I’m so glad! 🌸
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.
Aw, Rochelle, we're the lucky ones! Thanks for the kind words and your undying support! I'm glad Cyndi's words have inspired you to sit down and write! (At least, that's how I'm reading your comment!!) The world needs your words! 🌸
Thank you, dear dharma sister! I'm pretty sure if you can "write on your feet" you can write on your seat, too. lol I would love to read your thoughts! xo
"if I stick with it something worthwhile will happen." That's called hope. Ya can't write without it.
Truth.
Absolutely loved this.
I'm so glad! 🌸
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!
Thanks for your kind words, Bridget. And I'm so glad this piece resonated with you!
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.
I'm so glad!
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.
Yes to all of this! 🌸
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!
I'm so glad Cyndi's beautiful words resonated with you, Imola! And what wonderful practices you have! 🌸
Indeed! These two practices are what keeps me sane in this (less sane) world! 🙏🏼
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!
Oh, I'm so glad, Kat! Yes to 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!
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Logan! And yay for all the positive changes in your life!
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'm so glad you enjoyed it, Julian! I've read it a few times now and glean something new and wonderful on each read!
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.
I'm always so impressed by your yoga practice, Vicki! And glad you enjoyed Cyndi's essay! 🌸
“Like all my other practices, it is about getting to know myself.” Love this!
Also, “it’s all about the scheduling, my dear.”
Yes!
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'm so glad you were inspired by Cyndi's words, Niki! I was, too! 🌸
I'm so glad you found it helpful!