Becoming a Writer

The study of the human soul fascinates me. The soul is a receptacle of dreams, longings and aspirations, and its creations are vastly diverse and rich. I am deeply awed by the soul’s myriad expressions – in subtle, profound literature that enlightens and provokes; in paintings in which the creation of colors and forms sing upon canvas causing one’s heart to resonate in response; in glorious music that grants entry into enchanted worlds inhabited by emotions that take shape not only in the realm of sound, but also in a surging within; in dance in which the grace of a human form becomes fully awakened and free to surrender to and exult in music. I love so dearly the soul’s capacity for imagination and its ability to share in magical, mysterious delight.

In college, I tried to study the human soul by creating an interdisciplinary major in psychology and religion. Of course, many other disciplines relate to this endeavor, such as music, literature, and the fine arts. I chose psychology and religion because the former deals with the soul’s perception of and response to life, and the latter, the soul’s deepest transformations. Both disciplines are wonderful tools that enable me to approach an understanding of the expression of the soul which I find most intriguing: when one’s own life becomes a loving offering that expresses and is attuned to life’s deepest meanings.

I have written 3 books: Mindful Writing: Embracing Transience, Mindful Gratitude, and Mindful Relationship. My books were born of a writing practice I had in which I wrote a poem daily. Once I became an activist, my writing has slowed down significantly, but I still write occasionally.

Here is the introduction to my first book which offers an invitation to begin your own writing practice.

I invite you to experience your life more fully, moment by moment, through the use of writing exercises and pieces for reflection. I invite you to cultivate a relationship with yourself. You are your lifelong companion, from birth until death. You may as well be friends with yourself. Writing is a wonderful way to develop this friendship. Form a commitment to yourself, to give yourself care and attention daily, as you would a loved one.

I stand at the shore of my mind

Gathering the shells and debris that

Arrive with each wave

Marveling at what is beautiful, loving and curious

Feeling tenderness for what is fragile and vulnerable

Resolving not to turn away with disgust at the inevitable litter

But instead to witness with compassion and learn from it

Each object is worthy of my attention and care

Each item serves growth and self-knowledge

To make the best use of this book, please take time to write in response to the prompts.

Bringing the gift of attention to your daily life makes your experiences richer and deeper.

As you go through your day, savor your experiences with all your senses.

Imagine how you would describe what you see, feel, hear, smell, and taste.

How would you describe your internal responses?

When you are ready, make a daily commitment to write a new piece everyday. It has put new meaning and adventure into my day to proceed looking for a moment of beauty or significant experience I want to record. Carrying as my daily companion the question what will I write about today has enriched my life immeasurably. I savor my experiences more, think about how I would describe them, and look for the details. If I haven't found a subject by the end of the day, then I look back on my day and pick a moment.

Writing daily is therapeutic for many reasons:

Every day I wake up curious to find out what I'll write about.

As I go through my day, I keep my eyes open for beauty, joy, meaning that I want to record and share.

I actively seek experiences of beauty, joy, and meaning to inspire my writing, which is a built-in form of self-nurturing.

I express a wider emotional spectrum than I do in speech. I can write in a more flowery and emotionally honest way than I would be comfortable speaking.

Life gains significance and meaning as I pay attention.

My memories are richer.

I have stories to share with my husband, children, family, friends, and wider community.

I have access to the friendship and support of a like-minded community of writers.

It helps me let go of perfectionism to write daily. I am aware of the variations in quality of what I write. I accept myself, I accept my writing, and am grateful to honor this creative impulse inside me, regardless of the quality of the fruits it produces.

Mindfulness grants greater intimacy and familiarity with the world and ourselves. By becoming aware of the present moment, our bodies, and our internal responses, we learn to face ourselves and the world with equanimity. By facing our fears and darkness, we gain compassion, empathy and the freedom to move forward.

Understanding impermanence and accepting that this too will pass frees us to take bold action. Knowing that we are a microcosm of the world, containing both darkness and light helps us cast a more forgiving eye on ourselves, one another and this world. By becoming aware of how transient everything is, we learn to cherish each moment.

I have become a columnist for Central Desi and am grateful for this relationship. I remember myself as a child, sitting in my kitchen reading India Abroad, and it feels like hugging that child I was to be writing for Central Desi now.

Here is a column I wrote on Desi Mental Health.

Here is a column I wrote on The taboo of marrying outside the culture.

Here is my introductory column.