Walking Each Other Home
November 29, 2022
Dear Writers,
Spiritual teacher, Ram Dass used to say "We're all just walking each other home." This line seems appropriate for the writing life too. As fellow writers, we're walking each other toward trust in our own voices, toward the finish lines of first drafts, and toward the completion of publishable manuscripts. And we're walking each other through all the ups and downs that are part of those paths.
Some of these ups and downs are spiritual in nature.
Most spiritual teachings remind us that we're not alone, because the human condition holds fast to a belief in an illusion that we are separate, isolated, ego-driven individuals. This belief can lead to feelings of loneliness, self pity, overwhelm, and a sense of unworthiness, as well as to feelings of arrogance, grandiosity, and superiority. All strengthen the illusion of separation.
Separation shouldn't be confused with solitude, though. Writers, all artists, depend on solitude to create. Picasso said, "Without great solitude no serious work is possible." Chosen creative solitude is one of the vitamins of the writing life, and without an adequate amount we won't thrive. Some might argue that the act of writing a novel or memoir is an individualistic and ego-driven undertaking. And maybe one’s personal motives do need some examination, but I’d counter-argue that writing is ultimately about communication and connection. The impulse to create a story, to go to all the trouble to craft something that another person can enjoy reading is, deep down, born out of love and a desire to transcend that human illusion of separation.
Creativity has always been a spiritual path for me because it's always forcing me to reckon with my own ego. As much as my individual ego might wish my writing could make me rich, famous, or more lovable, acceptable, admirable, or (fill in the blank), it won't. It can't. Such wishes are rarely granted by outer sources anyway. They depend on inner work. As do most aspects of writing.
A lot of that inner work gets done in solitude, as we grapple with the highs and lows of walking a creative path. But if solitude starts breeding feelings of separation and loneliness, it's time to reach out to a community of like-minded creative souls for the nourishment of companionship. Whether you dip into it regularly or only occasionally, make sure to stay connected to a few people who can help walk you home.
Write with connection.
