Journaling can be an important adjunct to any method of self inquiry, whether that is in the therapeutic process, recording important dream information, writing down things you are grateful for as in a “gratitude journal,” an affirmation journal, or even a travel journal to keep track of your thoughts, emotions, and experiences while exploring the world.  A journal differs from a diary where one may document daily events; rather a journal is intended to dive deeper into our psyche where we record our deeper thoughts, emotions, triggers, synchronicities and symbols. Journals are “bigger picture” reflections. The journal is to truly focus on the things that really matter to you, or that you may find perplexing or even scary at times, things that need to be given the light of day sort of speak. A journal may include drawings, sketches or doodling. It is space for your creativity and often times you will find that it becomes  a co-creative process, a partnership of sorts with your conscious mind, your subconscious, and as Carl Jung would describe as the Universal Consciousness. A journal is also a great place to continue the discussion you have been having with your counselor, mentor or therapist. The process work you have been doing in session may continue to “simmer” afterwards and a journal is the place to further support those continued reflections.
I have witnessed that “after session” flow of consciousness with my clients and it can be quite revealing and helpful. Sometimes, clients report that the information, the text just seems to flow from them spontaneously, similar to the advent of a dream. (some examples I have been given permission to include here) There is also something I have encouraged people to experiment with called stream of consciousness writing.  This is different from regular journal writing in that the person doing the journaling takes pen to paper, and after quieting and centering, records every thought that enters their awareness no matter how trivial, ridiculous, absurd, or strange the thoughts may seem. It is an unedited documentation of the contents of one’s mind. Unedited is key. This means ignoring the inner critic and the voice of your 7th grade English teacher correcting spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Pure unedited, unaltered text which retains its’ original thought form just now committed to paper. This can be truly revealing. Upon review one might be surprised to see unfamiliar phrasing, uncharacteristic vocabulary or imagery. This then becomes fodder for further reflection and analysis, not dissimilar from dream interpretation. But it is also clear evidence of the co-creative process which is beautiful in itself because one often feels so alone in the process of personal growth or self-actualization. These thoughts that largely come from the subconscious or often from Universal Consciousness are indeed confirmation that we are not alone in our efforts at confronting the challenges of life.
 
Some practical considerations: There are many authors who will point out the advantages of digital journaling. Many are obvious… convenience, the ability to search, sharing among devices, working with multiple journals on one device, etc., etc. However, I am of the opinion that handwriting is a superior form when used to reinforce psycho-spiritual growth. Just as I have outlined in stream of consciousness writing, the mutations one may find in the text are more evident when written down. The psycho-somatic involvement when the hand and brain are engaged in handwriting is sometimes quite telling. Notice how some individuals can’t seem to carry on a conversation without hand gesture. Try tying to tie their hands or encourage them to speak without the hand movement, they have great difficulty speaking.  
There is evidence of the importance of the partnership of mind and hand. One need only look at sacred art and discover the hand gestures of Jesus or the the saints or discover the esoteric science behind mudra the ritual hand gestures of the Buddhists, Hindus or Jains, that are used to heighten awareness and direct energy in the body much like acupuncture or acupressure. Finally consider that dousing rods and pendulums move because of small muscular movements in the hand… something called the ideo-motor effect, when the subconscious mind influences the physical body. The connection between hand and mind is undeniable.

So, invest in a good journal, one that speaks to your heart and sense of aesthetic. Try to journal regularly. Keep it secure and someplace you won’t feel self conscious, or vulnerable when entering your private thoughts into it. You don’t want to create an excuse for the ego or your inner critic from using it.

Happy Writing

​The following entries have been shared here by permission as beautiful examples of post process journaling.
                                                                         —​Thank you to…MW!

In my role as a hospital chaplain, I am very frequently involved with critically ill and dying patients and their families. As one might imagine an individuals’ relationship with death is as varied as the individuals themselves. Unfortunately, most people are ill-prepared for death and see it as an unwelcome prowler. They ignore or refuse to explore the topic particularly when it comes to their own or a loved one’s demise. Admittedly none of us wishes to hasten death but it is inevitable and it can steal in on us and catch us completely off guard.  

I try to share with people both the gravity and importance of inquiring into the topic as well as discovering their own fears and biases around death and dying.  Cultivating an understanding and familiarity with the subject serves as an antidote to fear as well as reducing the pain of grief. Evaluating one’s latent and indiscernible personal beliefs, cultural imprints, and religious training advances this understanding.

Things are shifting, as our society is more open to investigating death as evidenced by the rise of death cafes and the expansion of grief and bereavement support groups. Further affirmation of societal interest and acceptance of death as a topic is the proliferation of social media platforms covering death and related matters such as near-death experiences (NDEs), after-death communication, visitation, or deathbed visions. Major universities such as the Perceptual Studies department at the University of Virginia School of Medicine are acutely interested and subjecting these experiences to scientific rigor (not that it requires it… author’s editorial comment).

The International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS) has nearly 1500 members and 50 local study groups. Membership includes academic scholars, physicians, nurses, and anyone interested in the phenomenon.  I have had individuals ask me… “why bother reading about NDEs or correlative phenomena?” My response is that I have found in both my roles as chaplain and as my role as a counselor, people have been almost universally comforted by this information and I am always surprised by just how widespread these experiences are. Time and time again, I have people confide in me that they have had an NDE or after-death communication of some kind that they have been reluctant to share for fear of ridicule or derision. I had a patient tell me at the bedside that she had not been able to talk about her experience for 70 years until she felt safe enough to share the experience with me. These experiences are testimony about an afterlife and that consciousness survives the death of the body, which should be reassuring to all of us.

I want to share just such an experience that I witnessed just this week. I have a dear friend whose very close relative was in a completely disintegrative state. This person had not long ago retired, recently (2 months) lost a spouse, and was finding it very difficult to cope. This person also had a long-standing challenge with substance abuse and nothing (family, friends, professionals) seemed to be able to help. I do believe that there was likely some organic illness compounding this downward spiral. My friend was trying very hard to support the relative but while otherwise engaged the relative impulsively left and would not return phone calls or connect in any fashion. My friend pleaded with that person to connect… “I’ve been trying to reach you! Please call me so I know you’re okay!”

The next day my friend received notification that her relative had passed and as you can imagine was extremely distraught… filled with guilt, remorse, and grief. My friend was then busied by the practical considerations of the final arrangements, etc. Staying with me and sound asleep on my sofa my friend suddenly bolted upright and stated that she heard her relative’s voice loud and clear …loud and clear, not a dream, not the imagination, but the voice loud and clear. The message was “I made it”!  This experience was made all the more profound when my friend showed me the last message left for the loved one… “… Please call me so I know you’re okay!” 

You share an existence with others who are experiencing their own journey in their own ways, and you have journeying in common, then. Be kind to yourself and to your journeying companions.