What is Automatic Writing: It’s a Great Spiritual Tool
Are you comfortable writing and you’d like to hear higher guidance? Then, automatic writing may appeal to you.
Automatic writing has been used by writers, artists, and spiritual seekers for centuries to access higher levels of divine guidance.
As a coach, spiritual writer and author of The Butterfly Silhouette, I’ve used automatic writing to hear guidance and find clarity about bigger (and sometimes smaller) questions.
Maybe you’re wondering how to use this interesting tool to unlock insights within?
In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of automatic writing, its history, benefits, and how it can help you.
What is automatic writing?
Automatic writing is the practice of writing without consciously thinking of what you’re writing. It is used for finding greater clarity, spiritual guidance, creative inspiration, and more.
The idea is to let your hand move across the page or keyboard freely, allowing thoughts and ideas to flow without interference from your conscious mind.
This technique is believed to tap into the subconscious, your intuition, for connecting with God/Source/Universe, spirit guides, higher guidance, or your higher self as examples.
It’s fascinating to think that when you quiet your mind, when you are able to bypass the mind, you can hear guidance and insights from other than your own mind. How lovely right?
It must be established first, this is something you play with when first starting. Don’t expect it to work beautifully right out of the gate, unless you’re an automatic writing savant!
Practice it for about 10 minutes or less each day and you’ll find your own flow with it. This is more art than science. It’s a conversation that grows more interesting over time.
Automatic writing is another way to connect with the divine.
For my complete guide to spiritual communication including ear ringing, spirit guides, synchronicities, symbols, repeating numbers, akashic records and all the ways Spirit reaches you, read: Spiritual Communication: A Complete Guide to Connecting with Spirit.
How to practice automatic writing
Automatic writing takes regular practice. Using tools like this involves a commitment to practicing regularly to become better at it. So the more you do it, the more effective it’ll be, and the more insight you’ll gain.
Here’s how to approach it…
1. Choose your writing tools
You can use a pen and paper or a computer for automatic writing.
Some people prefer the tactile experience of writing by hand, while others like myself like the keyboard. For me, typing is way faster and easier.
2. Quiet your mind
Create a quiet, comfortable space where you won’t be disturbed. Turn off your phone volume.
Take a few gentle deep breaths to center yourself. Or try this sequence: Two quick inhales, back to back, with a large exhale, where you’re pushing the breathe out through the mouth. This quickly sends oxygen to your brain and makes it easier to quiet the mind. This is the technique I use.
Some people do shamanic breathing.
Others find it helpful to meditate briefly before breath work. The key is to relax and let go of any expectations or judgments about what you’ll produce.
Quieting the mind is challenging as we all know. The mind is typically going, going. That’s why we call it the monkey mind! You know this going in, so please have patience, grace, and fun with this practice.
3. Set your intention
Intention is key.
Set your intention to bypass the mind and be an empty vessel for what comes through.
Please help me bypass the mind.
Then ask a question like: Please help me understand BLANK. Or, please show me BLANK. Or, please guide me on BLANK.
Let this be for the highest good for myself and all concerned.
Help me let go of any personal agendas.
Then, sit quietly and see what comes through. Don’t force anything or expect anything so that you are more relaxed. Remain as neutral as you can in the moment. Let go best you can.
When I feel myself thinking I might say: It’s OK. Settle in Jeanne.
Do this for 5 to 10 minutes or as long as you feel quiet and tuned in. And expect that you may not be tuned in at all. Sometimes you’ll be quieter than others. Let that be OK. You’re learning to be self-accepting, patient with yourself, and open to divine guidance.
4. Start writing
You may prefer to write in the morning when your mind is fresh and quiet. I’m more of a morning person for this. Then again, a tired mind at night might be easier to bypass.
Begin writing consciously, just dumping words onto the page, and your thoughts and feelings. Then, move into practicing writing without thinking.
Notice that I said “practicing”.
Spiritual medium Rebecca Rosen also says that she starts with emptying her mind by consciously writing until she has nothing left. Then, she begins the automatic writing session.
Let your hand move across the page or your fingers across the keyboard without thinking about it. Don’t worry about spelling, grammar, or making sense. Say to yourself: Bypass the mind.
Let it be fun. Try to not put pressure on yourself to come up with great epiphanies. Some writing sessions will feel more productive than others. Let go of your agenda. As stated above, set your intention and let go and trust that you will gain more insights over time.
Sometimes, to turn off my brain, I listen to binaural beats while doing automatic writing.
Keep writing continuously for a set period, like 5 – 10 minutes or so. Let this vary depending on what feels right. We don’t want it to feel like a chore. Instead, frame it as some new thing you’re learning that will help and relax you.
5. Interpreting your writing
After your session, if you want... you can take some time to review what you’ve written.
Personally, I don’t usually do this. I often feel resolved from the process alone and reading it feels too meaty for me… and frankly, too much. I don’t want more time reading on my laptop.
Or, you can come back to it the next day… or next week. Sometimes it’s helpful to step away and come back with fresh eyes.
If you want to do this, when you return to it, look for patterns, recurring themes, or insights that stand out to you. Remember, the meaning of your automatic writing may not be immediately apparent, and that’s okay.
And sometimes the significance of what you’ve written becomes clear much later. Or, you’ll have a dream that’ll shed light on what you’ve written.
The benefits of automatic writing
Automatic writing is a phenomenal way to access information that lies within OR to hear guidance from the other side of the veil.
Here are some of the benefits…
You can hear from your soul
Automatic writing is a way to access insight from things we can’t see.
This includes questions from spirit guides, questions to your own soul.
The soul is real and with you 24/7.
When you turn off your mind with practices like automatic writing, it’s useful for hearing guidance from deep within you or from your higher self.
Enhance creativity and overcome writer’s block
One of the primary reasons people turn to automatic writing is to get out of their heads and tap into creative juices.
By bypassing your inner critic, you can access ideas that might otherwise remain hidden.
This can be particularly helpful for writers struggling with writer’s block or artists seeking fresh inspiration.
All too often, the head gets in the way of whatever you want to create.
Gaining insight into your subconscious mind
Your subconscious mind holds a lot of information and experiences that you might not be aware of consciously.
There’s a deep well there!
Think about when you sleep at night… all of the strange stuff that surfaces in dreams!
That tool is a window into your subconscious.
Automatic writing can give you access to this hidden realm, allowing you to gain insights into your thoughts, feelings, and motivations.
Reducing stress and anxiety
The act of letting your thoughts flow freely onto the page can be incredibly freeing.
Many people find that automatic writing helps them release pent-up emotions and reduce stress and anxiety.
It can serve as a form of meditation, allowing you to clear your mind and achieve a sense of calm.
Improving problem-solving skills
Sometimes, the solutions to our problems are right there… but our busy minds are so jumbled up that we can’t see them.
Automatic writing can help you tap into your intuition, and access your soul’s guidance.
It’s absolutely amazing what’s there when we turn off the mind.
Common challenges and how to overcome them
As with any new practice, you might encounter some challenges when you start automatic writing.
Here are some common issues and strategies to address them:
Dealing with self-doubt and criticism
It’s natural to feel self-conscious or critical of what you’re writing, especially at first.
Remember that automatic writing is a process, and there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to do it. Don’t judge yourself.
Automatic writing has been around a long time and very evolved and creative people use it as one of the tools in their toolbox.
Maintaining focus and concentration
You might find your mind wandering or your conscious thoughts intruding during your writing sessions.
This is normal.
When you notice this happening, gently redirect your attention back to the act of writing without judging yourself…
Similar to meditation where you’re bringing your mind back to your breath.
Overcoming writer’s block in automatic writing
Even in automatic writing, you might experience moments where the words don’t seem to flow.
If this happens, try writing about the block itself or simply scribble or doodle until words start to come again.
The key is to keep your hand moving.
You can write something like… I hate this. This is nothing. Why is this happening. I hate this…
I didn’t think about any of that!
The origins of automatic writing
The concept of automatic writing reaches back centuries.
Many famous writers and artists, including William Butler Yeats and André Breton, experimented with automatic writing as a means of accessing creative inspiration.
How automatic writing differs from regular writing
Regular writing is consciously crafting each sentence.
You’re thinking about it!
While automatic writing encourages you to disengage your critical thinking and let your hand move without deliberate thought.
What’s written may be coherent or seemingly random.
Final thoughts
Automatic writing offers a unique pathway to explore your inner world, enhance your creativity, and potentially gain valuable insights.
Like any skill, it takes practice and patience to develop.
As you embark on this journey, remember to approach it with an open mind and a spirit of curiosity.
Whether you’re a writer looking to overcome blocks, an artist seeking new inspiration, or simply someone interested in personal or spiritual insight, automatic writing can be a valuable tool for deep insight.
