Often, in the journals of artists and writers, reference is made to making “contact.”

"I always get up and make a cup of coffee while it is still dark — it must be dark — and then I drink the coffee and watch the light come. …Writers all devise ways to approach that place where they expect to make the contact, where they become the conduit, or where they engage in this mysterious process. For me, light is the signal in the transition. It's not being in the light, it's being there before it arrives. It enables me, in some sense."
     - Toni Morrison

The root of creativity is in the murky waters of deep imagination. Making contact might involve sitting quietly and looking out the window as the light comes. It might be gardening or long walks in the woods. Yes, a creative life requires a lot of hard work, but first you need to connect with your inner world.

The value of journaling in the process of self-exploration and self-nurturing is that it contributes logic to an inherently vague and mysterious process. When we write about something, we tend to get clearer. Imagination, thoughts, tend to be ephemeral, drifting, vague.

When we write about the issues, dreams and visions at the core of our lives, we understand them better. At least eventually: it isn’t a matter of writing a paragraph and REVELATION – the secrets are revealed. It is an evolving process over time as we come to terms with key sensations and issues.

When you are feeling nervous, out of balance, but can’t understand why, write down five to ten possible reasons, and then pick one or two and write about it. Write down everything you know about the situation and then write about possible ways forward.

Here’s another technique: in meditation, imagine the feelings of uncertainty to be a person or spiritual entity. Ask it questions. Ask it for advice.

Do you have a regular practice that helps you make contact? If not, how would you go about making such a plan?