I encourage journalling thougnout my work to deepen experiential techniques, such as Shamanic Journeying and Nature Connection, that open our creative channels for insight and self-healing.

I use the acronym WAVE: Writing, Alchemy, Vision, Essence:

Writing
Writing in a journal can be a fulfilling experience, whether for personal self-development or a way of life that is either professional or an enjoyable hobby. It can help us tap into our creative process, recognise patterns, do our own inner healing work, track precious life details … And then pick up the threads of our heartfelt source of joy to weave into creating something new.

As part of Intention setting, it further solidifies our commitment, while tracking our progress.

As a form of self-expression Writing is a powerful tool connecting us to our throat chakra. If something is hard to speak out writing it, especially by hand, supports getting it out of your head, find fluidity on a page that supports interrupting any cyclical thoughts, free of judgement as it’s private and opens us up to new perspectives.

This is alchemy on a page.

Alchemy
Alchemy is when we take the raw material of our emotional experience and transmute it into something valuable and precious. We move past the duality of good and bad, beyond labelling and find something golden and worthy. There is a richness in the story of this movement of composting rawness into soul nourishment, when we take our time. Though tender work, deep self honesty creates, not only a potent healing experience, but a map of our inner terrain that we can return to, again and again.

We can find symbolism within our stories that help us to see
the dynamics more objectively

Vision
Vision is a Shamanic way of looking at the world - whether they are internal, external, daytime or night-time dreams, visual, auditory or somatic experiences - and finding meaning within these symbolic, subjective experience, unexpected unusual events. An understanding of the interconnectedness of everything and the belief that, in certain contexts, nothing is a coincidence enriches.

When we get curious, these symbolic stories may reflect dynamics within our lives in new, deeply insightful, emotive, even fun ways. Writing can support us with seeing the weave between this visual material and our life experiences.

By simplyfyng the complexity of these patterns we can access the essence of the wisdom they contain and call our power back.

Essence
The essence of an experience is a neutral, potent core that when anchored empowers us to counter and resolve triggers, unravelling the inherent complexity of our personal stories layer by layer.

The essence of something is where it exists with harmonious acceptance of duality, before it becomes polarised and separates.

My Personal Journalling Journey

My relationship with journalling evolves and I allow it too. Whether I write a few key words or phrases from that day or a longer tract of channeled writing, it is a tool, one that has variety and no ‘should’s’ or ‘shouldn’ts’.

For many years I would have a notebook beside me when I was meditating, that I used to record distractions as they popped up into my mind - things I’d forgotten, things that I wanted to do and so on. Before doing this I would get frustrated because after my meditation I might not remember them again until next time I sat! And so journalling this way helped to get the information out of my mind and benefit my meditation time.

It brought clarity as to whether it was my mind distracting me or my soul creativity flowing through.

And after a while I no longer needed it.

These days there is no separation between my journaling and meditation time. They flow together.

Then there were the years when I would bring a notebook with me everywhere, to record the things that inspired me, I wanted to remember or moments of flowing inspiration.

I later found that the times I forgot my notebook were richer and more memorable.

Now I simply trust that I’ll recall what I need, when I need to. I have found images from when I’ve stood watching some beautiful light, a wild creature, an unusual, chaotic or surreal event, as well as more challenging times - come back when I’m writing adding an extra layer of depth. It’s almost like having a video reel in my minds eye and I can get to a level of sensory feeling I didn’t sense in the original encounter. Taking the time to just be with something that has caught my attention, rather than trying to document it in the moment has deepened my experience, enriching my creative life.

Journalling and working with awareness is a really good way to keep track of our progress, as well as enhance and develop new skills. In the experiences that I share above my intention to record, remember or focus though journalling has helped me develop skills where I no longer need to journal …

… yet it was journalling that helped me develop them.

And so we return to the throat chakra, which is not only an energy centre for our authentic expression, but also the centre where we learn to surrender our personal will to Divine Will … which I feel my journey with writing is a living and continuing testimony for.

with much Love,
from my Heart to yours,

Tania Aurora White Crow

Experiential Journaling: Writing with Vision for Personal Alchemy