This writing exercise helps you bypass your conscious mind to access intuitive wisdom.
It’s an ideal option for those who have a verbal learning style — who process information best through reading and writing. However, I have many clients who don’t describe themselves as natural writers, and they love this exercise.
A great example of how writing can uncover powerful intuitive knowledge comes from George Orwell’s novel 1984.
The main character starts journalling, an illegal activity in his authoritarian country. His mind drifts while he is writing. After daydreaming, he looks down at his paper and realizes he has written DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER over and over. This character had never let those words form in his conscious mind. Doing so would be a form of “Thought Crime” in his dystopian country.
By allowing his unconscious mind to take control of the pen, he channeled the voice of his body. This was his intuitive knowing, and the truth in his bones. When we practice a certain type of writing, we can also discover the things our body knows that we don’t know.
Renee Airya, a body image activist, had a profound experience of channeling her body’s wisdom on paper. One day, when journaling, she wrote, “Something is really wrong with you and you’re going to die.”
After writing that, she stopped, and put a question mark next to that statement. Shortly after, she went to the doctor for an examination and learned she had a brain tumor. The tumor was removed, leaving her with partial facial paralysis, which sparked her journey of supporting health body image.
My clients have had powerful moments of awakening through this process, although none as medically dramatic as Renee’s. They’ve gained insight into relationships, career choices, and health practices that allowed them to achieve deeper healing.
How To Write Your Body’s Voice
First, get a pen and paper. It’s important to handwrite, rather than use a computer, because it engages different parts of your brain. I’ve also found that when I’m typing, my inner critic is more active because I do so much email and business oriented writing on the computer.
Second, set timer for 6 minutes.
Third, start writing:
Dear [Your Name],
This is your body and this is what I want to tell you…
Fourth, start writing to yourself from the voice of your body. At all costs, keep your pen moving. The secret is to write faster than your hesitation. Your hesitation is your analytical mind attempting to circumvent inner wisdom coming through.
Allow things to be messy, poorly spelled, and incoherent — just keep your pen moving. If you find yourself stuck, you can even write, “Keep going! You’ve got this, keep your pen moving.”
Fifth, when the timer dings, sign the letter,
Love,
Your Body
Sixth, read through your letter, and underline any aspects of wisdom or insight that stand out to you.
Enjoy! Make this a regular practice — I recommend at least 3 times per week.