Paul Vargis
TyThis is a presentation that has been adapted over the years, taken an evolution into academia around communications, professional reflection and the business world. Rooted in monastic formation and practices, as well as psychology. For long time readers, the book, Pilgrimage to the Heart of the Sacred, touches on many of these aspects but this brings it into a workshop form.
Journalling for many feel that it is a structured, respond to the prompt endeavour. But it is more. It can be part of a reflective exercise. Used for a specific learning outcome, or even better, daily exercise to be able to move through the internal and external noise to see what is being experienced. It does not have to be in the form of written (cursive or typing) but can also be creative.
It is an essentialy part of being a lifelong learner. The learning dialogue is both internal and external. Internally our own worldview (experiences, aspirations, beliefs) interact with the learning material, the experience, for us to arrive at a conclusion as to the experience. This is then taken into dialogue (hopefully) with others who have shared the experience.
It can be seen as spiritual, it is a piece of the learning dialogue. A reflective practice touches into the deeper, intrinsic pieces of us. It can be hard to formulate into words, we may have to take time to quiet the noise after an event or learning or even during (think CBT, meditation, body scan, etc) it does not have to be a truly introverted approach, as extroverts can take a moment to centre and just be present taking in to understand not to respond, and relating the experience.
Touching on the emotions involved.
Using the written word. Colouring. Doodling. Scibbling. Sculpting, Painting. Building Models. Cartooning. Knitting. Crocheting. Beading. Mind Mapping.
What is your creative expression? How do you let this reflective practice and learning dialogue engage within in?
Take time to do.
Set aside time at beginning or end of day.
Set a timer on your phone.
Start simple, 10 minutes, but don’t let the pen/pencil/colours stop moving during the time.
The holistic connection is understanding that all aspects are released during journaling for that is what it is.
A list poem is simply what it sounds like: A list.
Like you make for a to do list or a grocery list.
A 6 word poem takes a format of 3 lines: 3 words/2 words/1 word.
Pick a song from a genre you normaly do not listen to.
Centre your breath, a simple way to do this is to breathe up counting 1 to 10 with deep diaphragmic breaths, on inhale count, on exhale use a word with meaning, I like hope. At 10 do the same but count down.
Listen to the music.
Use the colours to engage with the emotions and then see where you are on the wheel.
May you cultivate an inner connection of reflective learning…
Discover what journalling is for you.
A Monk's Musings 