On reflective writing
How do you get your work published? That was the first question that came up when I taught a class recently about finding one’s voice, making a difference with our words, and writing for a popular audience. Given the focus of the class, it was a legitimate inquiry, because to reach an audience, to make an impact, you need a platform and a way in.
However, it got me thinking about the intention with which we approach the practice of self-expression, and what happens if we allow ourselves to become preoccupied with an objective that can, if we’re not careful, tie our sense of worth with external validation. In other words, the linear equation of writing with publication – misguided as that is, it’s understandable, given the culture of productivity.
In the words of the Zen master Shunryu Suzuki Roshi:
"Our culture is based on the idea of gaining or accumulating something...We are in danger of being buried under all of our accumulated knowledge. We can hardly survive the pollution of our knowledge."
This is not to deny or dismiss the value and importance of sharing our work. Rather, it’s to prompt some thought around how we do so from a place of authenticity, integrity and individuality.
