Welcome to the course! I'm delighted that you'll be joining this journey through psalms and into your own spiritual, emotional and creative life. I’m excited to be sharing opportunities with you to delve into the words, themes and poetry of these ancient texts, and then listen for your own inner voice as we write, create, share.
I'll be in touch closer to the start date with more detailed information about what we'll be doing and how to best prepare for our sessions. Meanwhile, I invite you to read what follows here, a description by my mentor, Merle Feld, who offers some suggestions to consider as you engage in writing.
Looking forward to meeting you, and to our journey together.
Daniel Raphael Silverstein
Some suggestions for writing from Merle Feld –
First, if you possibly can, write by hand, even if that feels very unfamiliar to you – computers go quickly, quickly, they are cerebral instruments; this writing is all about slowly, slowly, opening the flow from heart to hand. Please try, but if it just won’t work for you, feel free to use your laptop.
And yes, I do mean laptop as opposed to your iPhone or some other hand-held device; writing which is constricted to a small space subliminally influences us to write in shorthand, use bullet points – to limit expression rather than take breathing room for crucial embodied detail. (Similarly, if you’re writing by hand, use a good size notebook – think 8 ½ x 11.)
When sitting with the prompt – the question you’re using as a jumping off point – listen carefully. This writing is all about listening, listening to yourself.
Often the first response that comes to mind is the most fruitful. Just relax and go with it even if you think it is odd.
Be specific, concrete; be on the lookout for strong images that come up, meaningful details. Be curious; follow the image and explore it even if you don’t quite understand why it’s important or where it is going.
As you write, capture as clearly and precisely as you can what is true for you – no artifice, no disguises.
Write in your first language; that is the best way to make a heart-connection through words.
Once you are done writing, take a breath, read what you have written. Do not leap to criticize or judge – the impulse to edit, refine, may come later.
You may want to write down any questions that the writing has sparked for you. You can return to those questions at another time for reflection and/or for continued writing.
In some way, acknowledge to yourself the courage and openness you have brought to this work.