FEATURE SECTION HEALTH ON AGING
realized . So , I assign people two 20-minute walks . Twice a week take yourself out for a walk . And what I find happens is that when people are walking they integrate the insights , the intuitions , the hunches , the breakthroughs of the other two tools .
Miriam Knight : I was delighted to read in your book that not only are you asking questions of yourself , but you ’ re getting answers from “ somewhere .” Tell us about that .
Julia Cameron : Well , one of the things that I believe is important to do is to ask for guidance , and trust that you ’ ll receive it . So , when I write , very many times at night I will write LJ for little Julie , and then I ’ ll say , “ Please guide me .” And then , I ’ ll listen and write down what I hear . And very often what I hear is a sort of calm , gentle , supportive voice . And I find that the guidance is reliable .
Miriam Knight : So , when you talk about Little Julie , are you assuming that that ’ s your inner child , your higher self ?
Julia Cameron : Yes .
Miriam Knight : And have you done more extensive channeled writing ?
Julia Cameron : Well , I write prayer books . I have written five prayer books . And I find when I sit down to write a prayer that I feel myself in contact with a larger source . I have a prayer book called Prayers to the Great Creator , and it ’ s 650 pages long--many , many prayers . And I read those prayers at night , and I think , “ Who wrote that ?”
Miriam Knight : How wonderful . I never knew that . Are you writing another one at the moment ?
Julia Cameron : I just finished a book , which I call , Life Lessons . And it ’ s short , bullet-length prayers , and I found myself saying to myself , “ Gee , I wonder if these prayers are too brief . They are very condensed .” And I turned the book into my publisher , and I said , “ I ’ m worried that the prayers might be a little too brief .” And he said , “ Oh , Julia , this is the age of Twitter .”
Miriam Knight : What about our concept of God ? Does that play a role here ?
Julia Cameron : Well , I think that--I have been told that morning pages are “ the portal to faith ,”
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Very often what I hear is a sort of calm , gentle , supportive voice . And I find that the guidance is reliable .
and that as we begin to write morning pages we are , in effect , sending out a signal as if you ’ re on a life raft in the middle of the ocean , and you ’ re asking to be rescued . And you say , “ This is what I like , this is what I don ’ t like , and here ’ s exactly where I am , and here ’ s exactly what I feel .”
And when you are accurate in describing how you feel , you realize that there is a larger force that is striving to contact us back . And this is where the artist ’ s dates come in . And you begin to feel a sense of optimism . Often when people start the work they have a punitive God concept – they believe that God is judgmental , harsh , stern , perhaps all-knowing but perhaps not very forgiving .
And then , as they work with the tools , they begin to realize , “ Oh , here is something optimistic ,” and they start to shift their God concept . So by the time people have been working with the tools for 12 weeks they have a great sense of solidity and safety , and a sense that their higher power is perhaps much more accessible than they had previously realized .
Miriam Knight : Julia , what final thought or urging would you leave with our listeners ? I know : morning pages …
Julia Cameron : You ’ re exactly right . I would tell people to do morning pages . I would say , “ Just try three pages daily , longhand writing , and you will have a spiritual awakening .”
Miriam Knight : Thank you , Julia . Well , I recommend this book for anyone actually – you don ’ t have to be retired , especially if you ’ re looking for more juice in your life , or to connect to your creativity , this is the book to get : It ’ s Never Too Late to Begin Again , Discovering Creativity and Meaning at Midlife and Beyond , by Julia Cameron , and her website is www . Juliacameronlive . com .
Please link book title to : http :// amzn . to / 1qcheuT