Speaker: Rev. Dr. Judith Campbell

Introduction

The use of writing as a pathway to the inner workings of the self is a time honored method of personal discovery and spiritual growth. As a Minister and pastoral counselor, I often employ the tool of writing to help an individual…OR MYSELF… get to the heart of a troublesome issue. But to sit down and start writing spontaneously is not all that easy and in some cases, it can be more difficult and intimidating than actually talking about a problem. I have found over the years, that the introduction of a material object, an actual THING — and it can be almost any kind of thing — puts the writer one step away from him/herself and thus in a safer place than a one on one situation with a counselor, or facing a blank piece of paper with the expectation that somehow because the paper is there, the words and feelings will automatically start to flow. Expectations are troublesome things, and the idea that anyone can write creatively — while true, true true…does not have a lot of believers when it comes to applying it to ourselves. Therefore, when given an actual object, a rock, a teddy bear, a flower, a lemon, or in this case, a quilt, to write about, we feel much more able to pour out or memories or connections or connotations about the THING without fear of failure or reprisal. In so doing, we are often simultaneously pouring out whatever is going on in our hidden places in a way that seems in no way troublesome or intimidating. The fact, that only we ourselves see anything we that write, unless we choose to share it automatically makes the writer feel safer about what is going on…and feeling safe is vital to the process.

Safe Space
It is imperative that anyone who is using writing as a tool for inner work feel safe and protected. It is my job here to create that atmosphere, with you and it is your job to write only if you want to, and to share only what you wish,…when you wish. If something comes up that surprises you…and it often does, take time to follow where it takes you. And, if after you do, you need some help in processing what comes to light, by all means seek it.

"Rough and Smooth Patches"
My choice of a patchwork quilt as a spring board for our writing activity comes from the reality that I make quilts, and I appreciate them as objects of comfort and beauty and for me personally, creating the designs and working them out is part of my creative spiritual practice. It is no coincidence that quilts are referred to as "comforts: in many parts of the United States. They are gentle in feel and in appearance. Just looking at a quilt, will for many, create a feeling of nostalgic safety. For others, it could create a longing for that nostalgic safety. A patchwork quilt is made up of lots of little pieces of other things. The analogy to our own personal journey is clear. We are the sum total of our experiences, our genes, our upbringing, our geography, our culture, our loves and our disappointments. So as we look at the quilt before us, think gently for a moment on the various patches of your own lives…the rough ones and the smooth ones…and let us do that in two full minutes of loving silence.

The Process
Please remember, there is no judgment here, only the process

Describe the quilt you see here
A good warm up exercise is to simply describe what you see before you. Take two minutes to describe the quilt in your won words. Remember to just write what comes out of the end of your fingers — turn off the editor, the spell checker, and most of all…the critic….. and just write — write — write!

Write about a quilt you remember
Where did you see it, who owned it, what was it doing — was it on a bed or on a wall or under a car or in a trunk or at a yard sale or in a museum or somewhere else? Write as much as you can remember about everything surrounding that memory. We will write for five minutes.

Pretend now that you are a quilt
Where are you, describe yourself, what are you doing, do you like where you are and what you are doing, who or what is near you??? Write for 5 minutes

Write about one of the patches in your own history
We all have different shapes and colors and textures in the patterns and designs of our lives. Describe one of those patches in your life quilt that has been a turning point in your journey. Write for five minutes.

Closing activity
Clearly we can take this anywhere, and go on for hours…but today we can't. We will take a last two minutes of silence for ourselves to let our words, thoughts and images settle themselves. Don't think of where you are going next, just think, please about what we have just done together — and more importantly what has come up and out for you.

Recommended reading
Writing down the bones — by Natalie Goldberg — good solid advice

Bird by Bird — by Ann Lamott — a writers best read!! Funny as anything The Artist's way — Julia Cameron — an oldie but goodie

Judith Campbell is available for writing and quilting retreats. Revdocmom@juno.com Visit her booth in the exhibit hall, Stole(s)-n-Goods featuring her books, and creative funky clerical wear for the mirthful minister.

Formatted for the web by Kasey Melski.