Rise with the Sun
Cultivating a morning ritual to access more vibrancy, clarity, and buoyancy from within.
Sometimes I get asked what I do to get in the 'flow-state' as a writer - which to me is a state of hyper-focus that is both alert and calm - so I thought I'd share it here for anyone else interested in increasing their creative output and efficiency. For me, it begins with a morning ritual that has nothing to do with writing.
A morning ritual was something I began as a teenager to align with myself. A peaceful, assured, centred sense of self to counterbalance the anxiousness and confusion that can often accompany the teenage years.
It was here, in the early hours of the morning that I began setting aside time to explore that vast space within that's beyond conceptual understanding, yet richer than any concept I am yet to grasp... The space that exists beneath the noise of the mind, in ever-present silence.
In the silence between your heartbeat bides a summons. Do you hear it? Name it if you must, or leave it forever nameless, but why pretend it is not there? - Rumi
It became a habit. The habit evolved. And now, it seems to benefit far more than my mental health.
A morning ritual doesn't have to be 'spiritual'. It can simply be a way of awakening higher clarity as a means for reaching career success, or to be more present for those around you... But in my experience, they go hand in hand; For when we know ourselves intimately, our ultimate potential is naturally unlocked. And clearing out the chaos of a cluttered mind amplifies our ability to tackle just about any endeavour.
But in the modern world, we have such busy lives, busy minds, that to stop and "be silent" can seem impossible, and sitting there with thoughts on loop defeats the purpose - or at least dampens it.
Silence is an ocean. Speech is a river. When the ocean is searching for you, don’t walk into the river. Listen to the ocean. - Rumi
So, I began following the Yogi's way, using movement to drop my centre of attention from my head into my body. Movement became a portal into stillness and silence. And as a result; increased creativity, productivity & general contentment.
Here is an example of my morning ritual;
5.30am I wake up and jump in the ice bath.
Yoga I usually do at least half an hour, often overlooking the ocean, watching the sunrise.
Meditation. I sit in silence and allow the sense of openness within my body and heart to expand, and the exquisite beauty of stillness to prevail.
I live by the beach, so I'll then go for a run along the shoreline, then swim in the ocean. Rain, hail or shine.
From this space, I'm both alert and calm. And I write. It can sustain me for hours of focused, inspired, productive writing. The channels of creativity are wide open, and I can usually sustain a writing session with little resistance.
So there it is. In conclusion, my somewhat hyperactive morning activities in combination with a spacious mental state are the foundation for my otherwise physically stagnant but internally dynamic creative work. I hope you found some value here.
