Journaling Guide
(This page is in the works and being tested live on the site. Check in later!)
Journaling is the practice (and art) of keeping a journal. Modern journals are kept in any form suitable for the one keeping such a journal: from pen-on-paper to brush-on-paper to electronic journals to artistic ones, anything qualifies as a journal. It is not an end in itself, it is a practice, a daily act of self-observation. In a journal, unhindered, uncensored flow of consciousness is arranged. Over time, one develops a capacity to observe that flow: the nature of it, the content of it, and the source of it. Eventually, one learns how they write their code, their inner software that is producing such a consciousness. With that awareness comes the right ability to write and re-write that code — a “self-mastery”.
Journaling is a solo, Self-to-self/self-to-Self exercise — where ‘self’ is the individual person, and ‘Self’ is the universal core shared by all existence, including humans. Because a journal is to allow one to peek into their inner self, it presents that which can be dearly loved or deeply feared — and all this examination requires non-judgment. Therefore a journal is best viewed from a distance: don’t take what you’re writing, personally; view it as you will view a beautiful or a broken table. The journal will frighten or excite or tempt you initially, but in time, you will learn to separate what appears in the journal from yourself. The journey will become one of the journal commanding you, to you writing the journal. It is best not to share the journal with anyone, except a teacher or a friend who understands the science of journaling, and who will not judge or comment upon what appears in the journal — no matter what it is. An appropriate response to witnessing another’s journal is: “Carry on exploring.”
Journaling is a two-part exercise: the act of composing the journal, and the art of observing the journal such that it becomes a tool for self-awareness. A further guide to Journaling will be made available on The Changemakers Hub.
Types of Journals/Journaling
Composing/Keeping a Journal
Observing the Journal: Insight Mining
Purpose of Journaling
In the words of teacher Etsko Schuitema, the purpose of keeping a journal is to become aware of how we write the code (of our life), daily. All other purposes lead from this awareness. These include corrections in the self, correcting/improving/mending broken patterns, promoting oneself in areas of one’s goodness, etc.
Natural Journaling
06 February 2012