The Zen of Writing

Namaste,

I finally got it. What Zen is. Or least what I think it is. And saying that is to state the superfluous because reality is all about what we think it is. And saying THAT I've shown that understanding something and practicing it are two different things. D'oh!

I was in doubt. And I was angry. And then I started thinking. I got responses after I was doubting whether people were actually following this blog. I felt tranquil after I finished venting my anger. I started to think about two things: 1) People respond to simple truths. 2) Reality balances itself automatically. And in an instant of lightning fast synapse building and neurons firing the truth about writing became somehow apparent: it is Zen. Now all I needed to do is sit behind the computer and try to retrace my mental steps without destroying the fragile associative treasures I had just discovered. This is an attempt.

First people responded to my embarrassingly open and deeply narcissistic shouts for attention. Yes, I was in doubt and yes, I was angry (and probably am or will be in the future again) but I didn't necessarily have to vomit it into the world. I could go old-school and use a diary instead. But there you have it. It was out in the world and people actually really responded to it. And you have my deepest thanks, because you helped me realize one thing immediately: honesty and simplicity goes a long way. In writers terms I remember a piece of advice saying: 'use simple words and never ever be indecisive'. Basically come straight to the point. Say what you want to say instead of focusing how to say it.

Secondly I felt when I got things off my chest as clearly and raw as possible, I would not only immediately feel better (if they were negative things), I felt with the emotions out of the way, I was able to more clearly see the truths/reasons behind the emotions. As if nature is handing you the medicine after the wound has been cleaned of filth (sorry, the best metaphor I could think of).

These two realizations brought me to the essential truth of writing and in its own way the truth of Zen. If writing is all about connecting with your reader in the best and most satisfying way possible, you have to connect on the most elemental level of understanding. Simple words, sure. Core emotions, absolutely. But more so: the ability to be, without trying. Lucas got it right with the simple Yoda-phrase: 'Do. Or do not. There is no try.' You will not win over anyone by writing ABOUT someone. You have to BE that someone. Otherwise you end up trying to convince someone about something you don't even feel at the time. You end up lying to the reader. Writing is first being and then mastering the way how to use words to convey that raw essence.

So in hindsight 'WUI' is a good thing. The editor if need be can then separate the trivial from the essential.

And Zen? Well, my arrogance only goes so far before I stop eating my own bullshit, so I will not pretend to know what Zen is. But I'm starting to get an idea why it is that Zen masters talk as little as they do.