I'm sure I've spent plenty of time thinking about the past or what's yet to come, rather than actually just listening to what's around in the moment.
This practice encourages a shift of attention from thinking to just listening, even if it does just seem like jabber!
Before you start, make sure there are no distractions... that's important.
Use an A4 piece of scrap paper or a cheap writing pad you don't mind messing up, the main thing is not to get precious about it.
Wait as long as you need to for any words, sentences or phrases to come to mind, it may take a while to notice them, don't rush it. When they come into your head just copy the words down onto paper.
Close your eyes if you need to, just start writing the first things that come in to your head and keep going.
It's important that you don't plan forward, just stay with that moment and don't stop to think.
If you can't think of anything, then just write that down too "my mind is blank, I can't think of anything-- until something emerges and allow that thought to lead wherever it will.
Don’t censor, edit, check back on correct spelling or correct words or grammar. Ignore the sentence structure.
This technique produces a rawness that helps switch off that left analytical brain and it's naggy old self-criticism.
You'll find if you just let go a little, your subconscious will take over giving you all sorts of insights and probably a good laugh too. Hey, let yourself go, why not write on the side of your house?
All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe.
(Lewis Carroll - Jabberwocky)
Dr Jean Klein (European doctor & prominent KASHMIRI YOGA teacher)
Sam fells on the waysock-side. And somforbe on a gurled,
With all her faulty bagnose!