Tuesday, September 14, 2004

Zen Koan and the blank page

This is a photo I took at the Morikami Park in Del Ray, It is the Zen Garden.

 

      I have noticed that even the most popular, most creative journal writers in J-land become overwhelmed when deciding what to put on the big blank page of their journal every now and then. To that, I say "thank you," it reminds me that I am not alone.

     Keeping a journal is a little like an East meets West version of a Zen Koan<-- click a tool used by Zen Masters to encourage their students to stretch their minds beyond what they had previously thought possible.

     Although a journal is not exactly a riddle or a question their is no doubt that keeping one interesting and up to date is an exercise in seeking creative new realms of expression.

     When I am feeling particularly uninspired I find my self heading straight to my favorite journals and more often than not I can find a shift in consciousness along with the pleasure of leaving a comment or two behind.

     I have found for myself that the key is to keep writing even when I feel I don't have anything to say. Sometimes I even ask my self who cares about this or who would even want to read that but still I write, I post my photos and when I come back to my journal I am always happy to find the little notes that you have left behind. I love that:-)

                                    *** Coy ***

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mm...very pretty!
-Connie

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful, tranquil spot!!!

Anonymous said...

your words made me smile.  :)  

~phinney

Anonymous said...

Beautiful picture.  This entry reminds me of The Artist's Way [that's the 2nd time I've mentioned it today...I must need to pick that book up again].  Anyway... The Morning Pages always helped me.  The 'assignment' is to write for three whole pages first thing in the morning...even if you don't think you have anything to write.  It's amazing.  Some of the best entries are from that free-flowing place... you know, where you just write without thinking.  [then there are those non-thinking words that make very little sense because the writer is so tired she doesn't know when to quit.]  LOL  Keep writing Coy - do it for yourself.  We're here. :)

Anonymous said...

I think inspiration would come easy if you could just sit peacefully in a place such as the one in your photo.  

Anonymous said...

    Thanks Free, I checked out the Morning Pages, maybe I should give that a try and I will definitely make a trip to Barnes and noble to look for The Artist Way.
                                     *** Coy ***

Anonymous said...

boy, you got that right Coy!

Anonymous said...

very interesting and the Buddhist article was interesting too....... I find that I don't write everyday anymore because I can't keep up with other people's journals, my life and everything else if I do....... so I write a few times a week now......but sometimes I do wonder what I'll write about.......and just find as long as it's something real and honest and from the heart......the rest just falls into place :-)
~jerseygirl

Anonymous said...

Just checking in! I'm with Phinney, your words made me smile! : )

Anonymous said...

I really like this observation about journal-keeping, and the comparison to Buddhist ideas.  Yes, I certainly face those empty days too.  Doing my morning entry, and visiting other journals as time permits, is a daily discipline I've tried to stick to no matter what.  It's good to accept that some days I love what comes out and other days it's like- Ehhh.  Thanks for the thought-provoking entry! --Albert

Anonymous said...

Beautiful.  It's very Ommmmm...  :D