cover image Writing as a Path to Awakening

Writing as a Path to Awakening

Albert Flynn DeSilver. Sounds True, $16.95 trade paper (240p) ISBN 978-1-62203-911-1

You are a creative genius, says poet and writing workshop instructor DeSilver (Beamish Boy) in this guide to using meditation practice as a source of inspiration and guidance. DeSilver separates the book into 12 chapters corresponding to the months of the year, with each considering a different step in the creative process: rebirth, emergence, imagination, amusement, revelation, and so on. As with many books on writing instruction, he includes practical exercises. “Schedule times for your writing practice. Calendar it now... like you would an appointment with your dentist,” he suggests. DeSilver’s key to unlocking creative genius is the use of meditation as a tool to develop mindfulness and internal awareness, and he includes exercises in each chapter for learning to meditate in both creative and spiritual capacities. DeSilver also shares stories from his life, such as the day he demonstrated to elementary school students how brilliant and natural they were at tapping into their imaginations. Spiritually curious types looking for creative inspiration will want to give his methods a try. (Sept.)