Are you curious about automatic writing? A fascinating practice used by people throughout history for different purposes, from spiritual communication to personal growth and creativity. Today I’ll be sharing with you some examples of people who have used automatic writing in different contexts, from famous writers and poets to psychologists and therapists. We’ll take a closer look at what is automatic writing, how it works, and how it has been used throughout history. So, whether you’re a writer looking for new inspiration, a spiritual seeker interested in connecting with higher powers, or someone simply curious about this intriguing practice, keep reading to learn more about the world of automatic writing!
So, what is automatic writing? Automatic writing, also known as trance writing or psychography, is a practice in which an individual writes or types words or messages without consciously controlling the content. This technique is often used in spiritual and psychic contexts where the writer attempts to channel messages from a higher power, spirits, or other entities. There are various forms of automatic writing, including conscious automatic writing, where the writer is aware of their surroundings and is in control of their physical body, and unconscious automatic writing, where the writer enters a trance-like state and allows their hand to move on its own.
Now, let’s get into how automatic writing works; The process of automatic writing involves clearing the mind, relaxing, and letting go of any preconceived notions, ideas, or expectations. Then, one can start writing or typing anything that comes to mind, even if it seems random or meaningless at first. The goal is to write without stopping, censoring, or editing, allowing the words to flow freely and naturally. Through this process, the subconscious mind may reveal ideas, emotions, memories, or insights, that were previously hidden or repressed. Automatic writing can serve various purposes, such as exploring one’s inner world, accessing creativity, generating new ideas, or seeking guidance from higher sources.
Here is how automatic writing has been used throughout history:
In Spiritual and Religious Context: Automatic writing has been used as a form of divination, a way to communicate with spirits or deities, and a mean of receiving divine guidance. Many spiritual and religious traditions have incorporated automatic writing in their practices, including Spiritualism, Theosophy, and various forms of shamanism. Overall, automatic writing is in a variety of spiritual and religious contexts as a way to connect with the divine. To gain insight into one’s own spiritual path and to receive guidance from the spirit world. It continues to be a popular practice for those who seek a deeper understanding of the spiritual realm.
Notable spiritual and religious figures throughout history who have claimed to use automatic writing as a tool for spiritual communication and exploration are:
1. Edgar Cayce – As mentioned earlier, Cayce was a famous American medium who claimed to receive messages from the Akashic Records through automatic writing.
2. Alice Bailey – Bailey was a prominent spiritualist medium who claimed to receive messages from a spiritual entity named Djwhal Khul through automatic writing. These messages were published as a series of books called “The Alice Bailey Teachings”.
3. Helene Smith – Smith was a Swiss medium who claimed to communicate with Martians and other extraterrestrial beings through automatic writing and other psychic practices.
4. Jozef Rulof – Rulof was a Dutch medium who claimed to receive messages from deceased loved ones and spiritual entities through automatic writing.
5. James Merrill – Merrill was an American poet who claimed to receive messages from a spirit guide named Ephraim through automatic writing. He documented these experiences in his book “The Changing Light at Sandover”.
7. Patience Worth – Worth was an American medium who claimed to receive messages from a spirit named Patience Worth through automatic writing. These messages were published as a series of books and poems.
8. Jane Roberts – Roberts was an American psychic who claimed to receive messages from an entity called Seth through automatic writing. These messages were published as a series of books called “The Seth Material”.
These are just a few examples of the many spiritual and religious figures who have used automatic writing as a tool for spiritual communication and exploration throughout history. There are still many people in the 21st century who use automatic writing as a tool for spiritual exploration and communication.
Here are some modern examples of individuals who have used or continue to use automatic writing:
1. Neale Donald Walsch – Walsch is an American author and speaker who claims to have received messages from God through automatic writing. His Conversations with God series of books has been very popular in the New Age and spiritual communities.
2. Paul Selig – Selig is an American psychic, author, and spiritual teacher who claims to receive guidance and teachings from a group of spiritual entities through automatic writing. He has published several books, including “The Book of Mastery” and “The Book of Truth”.
3. Esther Hicks – Hicks is an American inspirational speaker and author who claims to channel a group of non-physical entities called “Abraham” through automatic writing and other psychic practices. Her teachings have been widely popular in the spiritual and personal development communities.
4. Lee Carroll – Carroll is an American author and speaker who claims to receive messages from a group of entities called “Kryon” through automatic writing. He has published several books and has a large following in the New Age and spiritual communities.
5. Kyle Gray – Gray is a Scottish author and speaker who claims to communicate with angels through automatic writing and other psychic practices. He has published several books, including “Angel Prayers” and “Raise Your Vibration”.
6. Teal Swan – Swan is an American author and speaker who claims to communicate with spiritual entities through automatic writing and other psychic practices. She has published several books like “The Completion Process” and “Shadows Before Dawn”.
In Creative Writing: Automatic writing is a tool used to generate ideas and inspiration. It can help writers break through writer’s block and access their subconscious minds to find original and unexpected material. By allowing thoughts and ideas to flow without editing or censorship, writers can often uncover insights and connections that they might not have otherwise discovered. Automatic writing can help to explore character development, plot points, and other elements of storytelling as well. In some cases, writers may use automatic writing to channel the qualities of their characters, or find the right tone for a particular piece of writing. Ultimately, automatic writing is a way for writers to tap into their creativity and produce work that is fresh, raw, and authentic.
Here are some notable writers who have used automatic writing as a tool for generating new material:
1. William Butler Yeats: The Irish poet and playwright, Yeats, believed that automatic writing is valuable to connect with the spirit world and gain access to a higher level of creativity. He used this technique to write many poems, including “The Second Coming.”
2. Jack Kerouac: As a leading figure of the Beat Generation, Kerouac used automatic writing to fuel his stream-of-consciousness style. He often wrote in a state of frenzied inspiration, producing works such as “On the Road” and “The Dharma Bums.”
3. André Breton: As the founder of the Surrealist movement, Breton believed that automatic writing could help writers tap into their subconscious and produce works of art that were free from rational thought. He used this technique to create some of his most famous works, including “Nadja” and “The Magnetic Fields.”
4. James Merrill: An American poet, Merrill used automatic writing to channel the voices of spirits and otherworldly beings in his work. He believed this technique allowed him to tap into a higher level of creativity and access a wealth of knowledge beyond his own experience.
5. Aleister Crowley: An occultist and ceremonial magician, Crowley used automatic writing to communicate with various entities, including angels. He believed this technique could unlock hidden knowledge and provide insights into the nature of the universe.
6. Sylvia Plath: Plath used automatic writing to help her overcome writer’s block and access her innermost thoughts and emotions. She produced some of her most powerful works, such as “Daddy” and “Lady Lazarus,” through this process.
7. Ted Hughes: A British poet and writer, Hughes used automatic writing to connect with his unconscious mind and tap into a deeper level of creativity. He often used this technique to help him generate ideas for his works, such as “Crow: From the Life and Songs of the Crow.”
In Psychological Therapy: Automatic writing is used for self-exploration, healing, and transformation. It can be helpful as a therapeutic technique in various ways, such as helping clients to:
- Access their subconscious mind: Automatic writing can help clients tap into their subconscious and access emotions, memories, and thoughts they may not be consciously aware of.
- Identify patterns and issues: Through automatic writing, clients can identify patterns, beliefs, and issues that may be causing distress or holding them back from achieving their goals.
- Gain clarity and insight: By exploring their thoughts and feelings through automatic writing, clients can gain insight into their experiences, relationships, and life situations.
- Express emotions and release blockages: Automatic writing can be a powerful tool for emotional expression, helping clients to release pent-up emotions and overcome emotional blockages.
- Connect with their inner guidance: Some clients use automatic writing to connect with their inner guidance or higher self, gaining insights and wisdom to help them navigate life’s challenges.
In general, automatic writing in psychological therapy can be a valuable technique to help clients gain self-awareness, process difficult emotions, and gain insight and clarity about themselves and their lives.
Some notable psychiatrist and psychologists who have used automatic writing as a tool for therapy are:
1. Carl Jung – Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who used automatic writing as a tool to help his patients access their unconscious mind and explore their inner thoughts and feelings.
2. Alice James – sister of Henry James and an early feminist and writer, used automatic writing to cope with her chronic illness and depression.
3. Sigmund Freud – An austrian neurologist and founder of psychoanalysis, experimented with automatic writing as a way of accessing the unconscious mind.
4. Assagioli – Italian psychiatrist and founder of psychosynthesis, used automatic writing as a tool to help his patients access their inner wisdom and develop their spiritual potential.
5. Helene Smith – French psychic and medium who used automatic writing to communicate with the spirit world and document her encounters with extraterrestrial beings.
6. Robert Desoille – A french psychotherapist that developed a method of dream interpretation relied on automatic writing to access the unconscious mind.
7. Andre Breton – French poet and writer who played a key role in the Surrealist movement, used automatic writing to explore the irrational and subconscious.
8. Kathleen Raine – A british poet who used automatic writing as a tool for researching the mystical and spiritual dimensions of human experience.
In Artistic Expression: Some artists use automatic writing as a form of self-expression. They may draw or paint without consciously controlling the movements of their hand, allowing their subconscious mind to guide the creative process. This technique is often used in abstract art, where the goal is to create a visual representation of the subconscious mind.
Notable artists throughout history who have claimed to use automatic writing as a tool for artistic expression are:
1. Andre Breton – French poet and writer who helped popularize automatic writing as a technique for generating new ideas and creative inspiration.
2. Gertrude Stein – American writer and art collector who used automatic writing to develop her experimental writing style and explore the boundaries of language and meaning.
3. Antonin Artaud – A french playwright, actor, and poet that used automatic writing to create his surreal and often disturbing works of theater and performance art.
4. Max Ernst – German artist and pioneer of Surrealism, who used automatic drawing to tap into his subconscious mind and generate new ideas for his art.
5. Brion Gysin – a british painter and writer who developed the cut-up technique of writing, and used automatic writing to create his unique style of poetry and prose.
6. Jackson Pollock – American painter who used automatic drawing as a way of accessing his subconscious mind, creating his distinctive style of abstract expressionism.
7. Anaïs Nin – French writer and diarist who used automatic writing as a tool for self-discovery, and exploring her innermost thoughts and feelings.
In conclusion, automatic writing is a fascinating and versatile technique used in various fields throughout history. From spiritual and religious practices, to art, creative writing and psychological therapy, automatic writing has proven to be a valuable tool for tapping into the subconscious mind and accessing insights, inspiration, and healing. Its origins can be traced back to the Spiritualist movement of the 19th century, where it was used as a way of communicating with spirits and the afterlife. Since then, many notable writers, artists, and psychologists have used automatic writing to explore the depths of their own psyche and the mysteries of the universe. While some may still view automatic writing as a controversial or dubious practice, its efficacy and potential for transformative self-discovery continue to make it a valuable mechanism for those seeking to explore the inner workings of their own minds and spirits.
