This piece really resonated with me, Camilla. As I, too, often struggle with the paradox of wanting to let go of my desire for things to workout a certain way, while also still acknowledging in myself that I want to get my writing published. It’s such a funny, frustrating, and delicate dance. And it was nice to hear you express your own struggles with it. :)
Yes, a "a funny, frustrating, and delicate dance" it is! And it's too easy to think that "once I get a book published" everything will be wonderful.
I've read so many articles by so many authors saying how you begin again with every single book and it doesn't get any easier🙄 so the only way I've discovered to ease suffering is recognizing the paradox of knowing I want a book published, but releasing any attachment to outcomes. Even if I wasn't on the writing path, I guess this is a good spiritual principle to practice😁♥️🙏🕊️
Yes exactly! It’s such a funny trick we play on ourselves. Like, I know for sure that once the book is published I’ll want more, and yet, there am desiring it as if it would solve everything hehehe.
I think you’re right acknowledging the paradox is very helpful.
This was truly a wonderful read. Thanks so much for sharing your heart and experience. I relate to so much of what you shared it’s kinda scary. 🫣🎯 I am honored that you’ve found value in my work and really happy to be introduced to yours!
My inner critic is part of my writing life. "Pull up a chair," I say, "and let's hash this out." She's the annoying shadow that keeps me honest. Because of her, I don't expect my writing to be smooth sailing, or constantly inspired. I expect to grapple and struggle and find my very human path to what it is I wish to share on the page. In this way I love the complexity and nuance of the writing life.
Too, there have been times when I took your mother's approach and told the inner critic to "Shut the eff up," and other times when her criticism inspired me to dive deeper into something I'd been avoiding in craft or in content. We are not our thoughts, but our thoughts reflect an emotional tone which often asks for our attention. To that end, I cannot banish the inner critic, who sits here right now as I compose this response, filing her nails and rolling her eyes at me.
Enjoy your summer, my friend. It's a good time to find and enjoy the beauty around us. Big hugs and write on!
Great to hear that you put the Inner Critic to work!😁
And yes, when you write, "We are not our thoughts, but our thoughts reflect an emotional tone which often asks for our attention." I 100% agree that *Discernment* is key.
But I guess for me, Discernment is not part of the Inner Critic. For me, the Inner Critic is just critical and doesn't have any useful, discerning or insightful feedback to offer me.
As always, so much of what we say and write comes down to definitions... but I appreciate your perspective of how you put your Inner Critic to work😁♥️🙏🕊️
Hi Eliocean, thank you for reading and responding. I’m very happy to hear this resonated and am honored and humbled to have inspired your writing. Thank you for letting me know♥️🙏🏼🕊
I love this piece! And I envy your travels through Cape Breton.I visited there many times as a child. My father delighted in the fact that John Cabot’s real name was Giovanni Caboto.
Hi Penny, thanks so much for reading and responding! I'm telling my husband about John Cabot's real name being Giovanni Caboto, as he has Italian blood, and this will make him want to drive it even more😁♥️🙏🕊️
This was reaching me in so many ways. Such a good teaching, too. "Writing puts you in touch with something larger—call it the Muse, Spirit, the Collective Unconscious. When you’re in Flow, it can feel like you’re being written, like you’re the conduit." This happens with all my writing...poetry and fiction and now here. And I love learning while I'm writing which also happens. Going back to look at my first draft of my latest post, I had curiosity that led to research and information that blew me away. Researching the information given by the Druid Priestess taught me so much (she was always validated). Here on Facebook there are so many giving you their version of what you have to do to be a success, to get paid subscribers...and it's not all the same. This happens with self-publishing webinars, too. Overload is what occurs and a need to be measuring up. NOW...Not being attached to the outcome is my new mission...doing for the sake of doing. Just what I needed to hear. ✨💙✨
Hi Shellie, thanks so much for reading and responding, and I'm happy to hear you feel like you're being written too😁 And yes, I love how learning is intertwined with writing too.
Happy to hear this post inspired you to practice being open to, but staying detached from outcomes. May this practice lead to cessation of suffering♥️🙏🕊️
Hi Chris, Thanks for reading and responding, and I'm happy to hear this resonated. Regarding the feeling of envy - perhaps it's simply something to pay attention to that's pointing towards how you may enjoy writing too. I'd love to read your writing!
And yes, looking forward to seeing you at least at our next sutta gathering♥️🙏🕊️
This piece really resonated with me, Camilla. As I, too, often struggle with the paradox of wanting to let go of my desire for things to workout a certain way, while also still acknowledging in myself that I want to get my writing published. It’s such a funny, frustrating, and delicate dance. And it was nice to hear you express your own struggles with it. :)
Yes, a "a funny, frustrating, and delicate dance" it is! And it's too easy to think that "once I get a book published" everything will be wonderful.
I've read so many articles by so many authors saying how you begin again with every single book and it doesn't get any easier🙄 so the only way I've discovered to ease suffering is recognizing the paradox of knowing I want a book published, but releasing any attachment to outcomes. Even if I wasn't on the writing path, I guess this is a good spiritual principle to practice😁♥️🙏🕊️
Yes exactly! It’s such a funny trick we play on ourselves. Like, I know for sure that once the book is published I’ll want more, and yet, there am desiring it as if it would solve everything hehehe.
I think you’re right acknowledging the paradox is very helpful.
Thanks Camilla :)
Thanks for the smile Michael😁
Hehehe my pleasure :)
This was truly a wonderful read. Thanks so much for sharing your heart and experience. I relate to so much of what you shared it’s kinda scary. 🫣🎯 I am honored that you’ve found value in my work and really happy to be introduced to yours!
Hi Tori, what a delight to hear from you here. Thank you for reading and commenting and I'm grateful we get to brighten our connection♥️🙏🕊️
My inner critic is part of my writing life. "Pull up a chair," I say, "and let's hash this out." She's the annoying shadow that keeps me honest. Because of her, I don't expect my writing to be smooth sailing, or constantly inspired. I expect to grapple and struggle and find my very human path to what it is I wish to share on the page. In this way I love the complexity and nuance of the writing life.
Too, there have been times when I took your mother's approach and told the inner critic to "Shut the eff up," and other times when her criticism inspired me to dive deeper into something I'd been avoiding in craft or in content. We are not our thoughts, but our thoughts reflect an emotional tone which often asks for our attention. To that end, I cannot banish the inner critic, who sits here right now as I compose this response, filing her nails and rolling her eyes at me.
Enjoy your summer, my friend. It's a good time to find and enjoy the beauty around us. Big hugs and write on!
Hi Stephanie,
Great to hear that you put the Inner Critic to work!😁
And yes, when you write, "We are not our thoughts, but our thoughts reflect an emotional tone which often asks for our attention." I 100% agree that *Discernment* is key.
But I guess for me, Discernment is not part of the Inner Critic. For me, the Inner Critic is just critical and doesn't have any useful, discerning or insightful feedback to offer me.
As always, so much of what we say and write comes down to definitions... but I appreciate your perspective of how you put your Inner Critic to work😁♥️🙏🕊️
Hi Camilla, your posting resonated so much with me that I wrote a posting, reflecting on the beautiful words you shared in your writing.(https://open.substack.com/pub/littleintuition/p/on-being-a-conduitwriting-reiki-and?r=2ltjzz&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true)
Thank you for your clear and beautiful words. I look forward to getting more insights and inspiration from your dharma journey. Many thanks!
Hi Eliocean, thank you for reading and responding. I’m very happy to hear this resonated and am honored and humbled to have inspired your writing. Thank you for letting me know♥️🙏🏼🕊
I love this piece! And I envy your travels through Cape Breton.I visited there many times as a child. My father delighted in the fact that John Cabot’s real name was Giovanni Caboto.
Hi Penny, thanks so much for reading and responding! I'm telling my husband about John Cabot's real name being Giovanni Caboto, as he has Italian blood, and this will make him want to drive it even more😁♥️🙏🕊️
Enjoy your trip! It really is a beautiful part of the world.
This was reaching me in so many ways. Such a good teaching, too. "Writing puts you in touch with something larger—call it the Muse, Spirit, the Collective Unconscious. When you’re in Flow, it can feel like you’re being written, like you’re the conduit." This happens with all my writing...poetry and fiction and now here. And I love learning while I'm writing which also happens. Going back to look at my first draft of my latest post, I had curiosity that led to research and information that blew me away. Researching the information given by the Druid Priestess taught me so much (she was always validated). Here on Facebook there are so many giving you their version of what you have to do to be a success, to get paid subscribers...and it's not all the same. This happens with self-publishing webinars, too. Overload is what occurs and a need to be measuring up. NOW...Not being attached to the outcome is my new mission...doing for the sake of doing. Just what I needed to hear. ✨💙✨
Hi Shellie, thanks so much for reading and responding, and I'm happy to hear you feel like you're being written too😁 And yes, I love how learning is intertwined with writing too.
Happy to hear this post inspired you to practice being open to, but staying detached from outcomes. May this practice lead to cessation of suffering♥️🙏🕊️
This one REALLY resonated with me today, Camilla. I love and envy your clarity about writing.
Happy summer-see you when the time is right.
Love, Chris
Hi Chris, Thanks for reading and responding, and I'm happy to hear this resonated. Regarding the feeling of envy - perhaps it's simply something to pay attention to that's pointing towards how you may enjoy writing too. I'd love to read your writing!
And yes, looking forward to seeing you at least at our next sutta gathering♥️🙏🕊️
Thanks so much for the re-stack, @Farrah Alyse♥️🙏🕊️