Victor Shamas, Ph.D.
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END writer's block for good!

2/27/2018

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Writer’s block ends now. It never really existed in the first place. You gave it life and made it real. Stop doing that.

Just understand that creativity has its own rhythm and flow. Inspiration does not come at the push of a button or flip of a switch. If it did, anyone could write inspired prose. Even a machine could do it.

Sometimes the flow of words and ideas comes to a pause. Not only is that natural; it’s a good thing. Creative inspiration has always been about making the most of the moment. That includes the pauses. Instead of panicking, celebrate the pause. This is an opportunity to reflect, gain perspective, and maybe even take a bathroom break.

Under the right conditions, a pause in your writing can be empowering. You can turn your so-called writer’s block into a power pause in five simple steps:

  1. Give thanks. The ideas are coming. You know they are. They always do. Appreciate and acknowledge that fact by expressing gratitude. It’s simple, really. Just say “Thank you!” Before digging into a great feast, you say grace. Gratitude makes you receptive to the unexpected. It opens you up to new possibilities and fresh perspectives. 
  2. Shift gears. You can tell when the writing feels forced and uninspired. This pause may have just saved you from chasing a wild goose. Now, push away from the desk. Go do something else for a few minutes. Get some fresh air. Clear your head. Break free of the recent past just long enough to cleanse your palette and refresh your mind.
  3. Enjoy the pause. Make the most of this moment. If you are going to spend much of your life writing, you might as well find joy and delight in the process. This means savoring every part of it, including the pauses. Sure, you have time pressure and deadlines, but your creativity does not thrive under stress. Fill your pause with activities that are fun and frivolous—even mindless. Take time to restore and re-energize.
  4. Tune into your body. This pause may be a way for your body to let you know what is going on inside of you. Are you hungry, thirsty, tired? Attend to your five senses. Move, stretch, and take care of your physical needs. Creative inspiration should be a full-body affair. That is because profound ideas often begin with profound experiences. Any feeling or sensation in your body is a potential source of inspiration.
  5. Get horizontal. Find somewhere comfortable and quiet to lie down. While on your back, extend your arms perpendicular to your torso, palms up, and open your legs wide, as if you were making a snow angel. Then relax for five minutes. Your eyes can be open or closed, whatever is comfortable. Breathe normally and let your mind do as it pleases. This may be the most important thing you do all day. Called Repose, this position helps shift you from an active to a receptive mode so that ideas begin to flow naturally and spontaneously. It definitely works. So, give it a try!
 
The idea of the power pause is to break free of the past, savor the experience of the present, and make yourself receptive to whatever may come in the future. Once you do, ideas will begin to flow effortlessly. You will find that the quality of your writing improves after this type of break. Then instead of feeling blocked, you will come to appreciate the creative opportunities inherent in a momentary pause.
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  • Home
  • Blog
  • The Inspiring Playbook
  • Deep Creativity
  • Media
  • TEDx
  • Global Chant
  • Books & CDs
  • Repose
  • AUM Tantra
  • The Pledge
  • PlayHaven
  • Wave1
  • The Chanter's Guide
  • The Way of Play
  • Intuition Study
  • About
  • Inspiring
  • Beatles Video
  • Fountain