What is Automatic Writing?
Automatic writing is a form of channeling and allows us to open beyond our own consciousness. Automatic writing lends itself to people who enjoy writing and journaling. People find many ways to channel information, including goddess dance, tarot readings, singing, or mediumship. Spirit is always trying support our journey and offer help along the way.
The art of automatic writing is about opening to different perspective. If you ever feel stuck or don’t know what to do, automatic writing is a way to get clarity. It’s taking a moment to step out of our daily thoughts to tap into a larger reservoir of information.
When I began practicing this technique, I would feel a gentle pressing on my third eye, and I felt compelled to sit down to write. When I’m channeling, my mind feels softer, and the words are more fluid than my other writing. My other writing is agonizingly slow as words and ideas sift through my mental processes. Automatic writing feels more like I step out of my inner monologue and listen to a different perspective. The pen moves across the page to record those new ideas.
Remember: automatic writing feels different and the intention is different. We’re looking for the feeling of flow, and we’re looking to step out of our normal consciousness.
Let’s go over the basics
Step 1: Collect your tools
The first step is to collect your writing tools. This can be your laptop or a pen and paper. You will need to write comfortably, however that looks for you. Personally, I prefer writing on paper. If I only have my electronic devices, I can type faster with my laptop than on my phone. I’ve written on napkins and stashed them away for later. Find a blank page of your choosing.
Step 2: Create your space
When you’re setting up, you want to create a comfortable space. Clear the empty cups on the desk or move the paperwork. You could place a fresh flower nearby, sit by a window, or enjoy the light of sunset or early morning hours.
Step 3: Form the question
The question itself is an important step. You can be as specific or as general as you would like. While the perfect phrasing does not matter, this is the time to get clear about your intentions. What information are you looking for? What are you hoping to understand?
Here are some examples:
- General insights or messages
- Creative inspiration
- Potential solutions
- Action steps to achieve goals
- Larger spiritual perspectives
- Connection with your guides
- Connection with loved ones or animal companions who have passed
When you get clear about what you want to know, write your question at the top of the page. Add the date as well.
Step 4: Take a moment
The next step is to take a moment to check in with yourself. Try this simple exercise:
Close your eyes and bring your awareness into your chest. As you breathe in, see if you can feel your breathing and your heartbeat. Just stay present in that space for 2-5 breaths. Feel any emotions or tightness. Shift your awareness to your head. Imagine your brain sitting inside your skull. Imagine that it is softening. Feel the areas of tension across your eyes and forehead soften. Imagine the top of your head is softening. Let your whole head melt. On your next exhale, slowly open your eyes.
Step 5: Put pen to paper
Place your pen to the page and begin to write, draw, or scribble. It’s ok if the writing takes a moment to begin. Trust the flow of thoughts or images. When I soften my head, I hear a stream of thoughts, and I write. Sometimes there are words that I don’t know. The cadence is different than my own thoughts. If you feel the need to draw symbols or images, go for that. Just let it flow. When you feel like you are done, put down your pen, and thank yourself for taking the time to do this.
Step 6: Release Judgement
Our expectations for things to be a certain way can put limitations on our intuition–even if it’s written down in front of us. It’s the classic battle between our intuition sensing something and the next thought our mind will dismiss it. Can you trust that you are tapping into something else? Can you receive this information for what it is?
Important Tips:
- The writing does not have to make sense
- It is supposed to be sloppy; this is not an academic paper
- The writing may be written from any perspective, including the “I” or “we”
- Reread it over the next few days; the next month; the next year
- Important messages are repeated
- The more you practice, the faster you will become at opening up
- What you do with this information is always up to you!
Give it a try, and let me know how it goes!
