How to Journal

Why journal?

Journaling is a great tool for self-discovery, evolvement and spiritual growth.

Over the years, I've witnessed a lot of resistance from students and clients when it is recommended to them that they journal. Many people think of journaling as merely chronicling the events of their physical or emotional bodies. Some imagine that a journal is a place to write down the mundane facts of their 3D lives: "Today I went here and did this. Tomorrow I think I will go there and do that." Others think of journaling as recording the pendulum swings of emotions in what could pass as the first draft of a bad soap opera: "Today I was so.... (angry, happy, weary, sad, excited, bored, or d.) all of the above.)" Either way, many people find the idea of keeping a journal far less than appealing. Chronicalling physical events or emotional dramas is more what I consider keeping a diary.

To me, journaling is about your spiritual journey. A journal can be a place to record the insights you get in meditation, the teachings you receive from dream time, the little miracles that happen every day, the "a-ha" moments of clarity.... In other words, a journal can be a personal wisdom book. When used this way, a simple notebook can become a source of encouragement, truth, beauty and specific personal directions for a more Loving and fulfilling life. Also, the very act of writing something down increases its impact on your memory.

How to journal:

It's really quite simple. Get an empty notebook and a pen. Keep them together, and carry them with you. Some people buy really elegant empty books and then are intimidated to write in them. If that sounds like you, avoid a potential pitfall, and start with a basic cheap notebook. Keep it beside your bed. Carry it to your meditation space. Bring it with you when you travel. Then, when you feel you have received a genuine insight from Divine guidance or your Higher Self, write it down. It's that easy.

You don't have to write pages of deep, angst ridden soul-searching. (You can if you want to, but it's not necessary.) Just jot down any wisdom that comes to you. If you didn't write during the day, simply ask yourself before you go to sleep, "What nugget of wisdom did I discover today?" Then write a phrase or a sentence or as much as you like. If you don't feel like you learned or remembered anything special that day, simply write a thank you sentence. For example: "Thank you for sending my friend, so-and-so, into my life today." or "Thank you for the beautiful stars in the sky tonight."

Other tips:

Keep your journal private. The words sacred and secret come from the same root. This is your notebook, for your eyes only. If you think you're writing for someone else's eyes, your ego will probably begin to slant, edit, or otherwise alter what you write to try to impress your perceived audience.

Use your journal to record wisdom for your life. If you want to purge your emotional woundedness or keep a diary of the daily events of your life, use a separate notebook. Keep your journal as a book of wisdom and insights.

Commit to write at least one word in your journal every day. This helps you form the habit of recognizing and honouring the wisdom and blessings you're given.

When you finish a notebook, go back and read through it. Highlight the insights that really jump out at you. Pay attention to recurring themes.

Wisdom is offered to us on a daily basis. Sometimes we tune in and get it. Journaling helps us to be more conscious and capture those bits of wisdom for future use.

What we give our attention to, tends to increase. If you look and listen for beauty, truth and clarity, and treasure what you're given, there will be a tendency towards more beauty, truth, harmony, clarity and flow in your life. Journaling is one way to respect and receive those gifts of illuminating insight which are being offered.

copyright 2004, updated '08
Eileen Lighthawk
www.centerforJOY.org

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