Psychology

Phases in the Process of Transmutation in Spiritual Awakening

Last time we looked at the crises that can happen in reaction to a spiritual awakening on the path towards Self-realisation. In this final post we explore exactly what it takes to transform yourself and to embody the potential glimpsed during your awakening. The following notes are taken from Psychosynthesis by Roberto Assagioli: “We now… Continue reading Phases in the Process of Transmutation in Spiritual Awakening

Publishing

How to Blurb: Writing a book description that sells

A blurb can sometimes mean a short review quoted on a book cover, but in this post we’re going to look at the other kind of blurb: the book description. The blurb is your sales pitch, printed on the back of your book or quoted on its sales page online. It’s the second most important… Continue reading How to Blurb: Writing a book description that sells

Free Your Pen

Buddhist Writing Prompt: Get Over Yourself

Get over yourself is about not letting your ego hijack whatever you’re doing, whether that’s mind training and meditation, or writing. It helps to get your ego out of the way and remember who you really are. The original lojong slogan is: All dharma agrees at one point, which means that all spiritual practices and… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Get Over Yourself

Publishing

A Blagger’s Guide to Book Cover Design

It should go without saying but: I’m not a graphic designer or an artist. I’ve taught myself how to design book covers and this post distils what I’ve learned from people wiser than me online. The most important piece of advice is: Don’t design your own covers unless you know what you’re doing and have… Continue reading A Blagger’s Guide to Book Cover Design

Free Your Pen

Buddhist Writing Prompt: Don’t Waste Your Life

Don’t waste your life is about facing up to your mortality and remembering not to take your life for granted. Your time is limited and life is precious. The original lojong slogan is: The mahayana instruction for ejection of consciousness at death is the five strengths: how you conduct yourself is important. The five strengths… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Don’t Waste Your Life

Psychology

Crises Caused by Spiritual Awakening

Last time we looked at the crises that can precede spiritual awakening on the path towards Self-realisation. In this post we explore the kinds of experiences that can happen as a result of awakening and the problems they can lead to. The following notes are taken from Psychosynthesis by Roberto Assagioli: “The opening of the… Continue reading Crises Caused by Spiritual Awakening

Free Your Pen

Buddhist Writing Prompt: Practice the Five Strengths

Practice the Five Strengths is about taking your mind training practice and writing seriously, and finding a way to keep motivated and focused on what matters to you. The five strengths empower you to remember who you really are and to put it into practice every day. The original lojong slogan is: Practice the five… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Practice the Five Strengths

Psychology

Crises Preceding Spiritual Awakening

Last time we looked at the process of Self-realisation and how it differs from self-actualisation. In this post we explore the kinds of issues that can arise prior to awakening and what the crisis of awakening itself involves. The following notes are taken from Psychosynthesis by Roberto Assagioli: “In order to understand thoroughly the strange… Continue reading Crises Preceding Spiritual Awakening

The Shining Ones · Writing

Write What You Know: Things I’ve Written that I Don’t Know

I’m up to my red eyeballs with editing and proofing The Shining Ones – putting commas in and taking them out again – so here’s a short post about things I’ve never done. (And my eyes really are red! The heating is back on and they’re not happy about it, and staring at a computer… Continue reading Write What You Know: Things I’ve Written that I Don’t Know

Free Your Pen

Buddhist Writing Prompt: Whatever You Meet is the Path

Whatever you meet is the Path is about remembering to be mindful no matter what’s happening. Whatever appears in front of you, that’s what you need to be dealing with because anything you experience can be used to wake you up. The original lojong slogan is: Whatever you meet unexpectedly, join with meditation. When things… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Whatever You Meet is the Path