Two weeks ago I wrote a post about Dharma Art, the practice of making art from a clear and vibrant mind, that may or may not reflect Buddhist concepts or experience.
He entered the subway car at 86th street, holding a clipboard with some papers. He announced to the car that he had come from California to be a Minister of Music in New York City and began singing a refrain of improvised Hallelujahs, eyes...
In mindfulness meditation we train in shamatha—peaceful abiding. This is basically the ability to hang out with and be curious about our experience, whatever our experience is. Through shamatha, we learn that our experience is valid and worthy.
Starting a new piece of writing is a fantastic opportunity to practice.
A few weeks ago I wrote about how to tackle the smushy blob of too much work. But often when you’re beginning a piece of creative writing, there is no clear path from
In addition to being the first Latino and openly gay (and the youngest) poet to read at a US President’s inauguration, Richard Blanco’s poem, “One Today,” was also a beautiful example of the themes of compassion and interdependence expressed...
The conversation went something like this:
My friend: Emily, I need some writing advice.
Me: Okay…
Friend: How do I make myself just do my work?
Me: What work do you have to do?
Friend: SO MUCH.
Me: What is the work, specifically?
Friend: I have...
Sitting in a rehearsal studio on Saturday morning with about twenty strangers at a trauma relief training workshop, I found myself wondering about the value of stories. As a writer, that’s an almost blasphemous thing to admit.
But as I...
Apple COO Tim Cook. Frank Lloyd Wright. Tolstoy. The Italian Futurists. What do all these folks have in common? They all set their intentions and wrote them down.
Here’s a snippet from the colorful Italian Futurist Manifesto:
I started this post last night, on Christmas Eve, sitting in bed nursing a stomach virus, armed with ginger ale and wonton soup. I didn’t want to write anything. Really, really didn’t. I knew it would be hard. I knew it would take a while. I...
I've often heard it said that you should write for “yourself,” not for others. In some ways, I agree. It’s hard to write freely and openly if you’re constantly worrying about what others will think of your work. (Remember what William Carlos...
Advice to William Carlos Williams from his dad, in response to a letter:
You’re quite wrong. What you have written is not “lousy” but extremely effective. Write, when you feel like it, and write freely, carelessly (if you know what I mean)...
Journaling as a Mindfulness Practice
When I meditate, I sometimes notice myself thinking, Ok, Emily, concentrate, concentrate, hold on to the breath and have a good session this time, not like last time when you were all over the place.
I’ve done it oh so many times: open up a Word document or turn to a fresh notebook page to begin a poem or an essay and…nothing. Blah. Blah blah blah. That idea was stupid. I have to do my dishes. I have to find a “real” job. Immediately. I...
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My new book, Your Emoticons Won't Save You, came out with a very limited release on my website as a print copy and as an ebook. We had very few advanced readers, so I'm just starting to...
