How the Light Gets in: Writing as a Spiritual Practice

"When I begin to write, I open myself and wait. And when I turn toward an inner spiritual awareness, I open myself and wait." With that insight, Pat Schneider invites readers to contemplate their lives through spiritual observation and exploratory writing. In seventeen concise thematic chapters that include meditations on topics such as fear, prayer, forgiveness, social justice, and death, How the Light Gets In gracefully guides readers through the philosophical and spiritual questions that face everyone in the course of meeting life's challenges.

Praised as a "fuse lighter" by author Julia Cameron and "the wisest teacher of writing I know" by the celebrated writing guru Peter Elbow, Pat Schneider has lived a life of writing and teaching, passion and compassion. With How the Light Gets In, she delves beyond the typical "how-to's" of writing to offer an extended rumination on two inner paths, and how they can run as one. Schneider's book is distinct from the many others in the popular spirituality and creative writing genre by virtue of its approach, using one's lived experience--including the experience of writing--as a springboard for expressing the often ineffable events that define everyday life. Her belief that writing about one's own life leads to greater consciousness, satisfaction, and wisdom energizes the book and carries the reader elegantly through difficult topics.

As Schneider writes, "All of us live in relation to mystery, and becoming conscious of that relationship can be a beginning point for a spiritual practice--whether we experience mystery in nature, in ecstatic love, in the eyes of our children, our friends, the animals we love, or in more strange experiences of intuition, synchronicity, or prescience."

"How the Light Gets In is among the most inspiring personal stories I have ever read. Not only is this book beautifully written, but I felt the authenticity of the author's poignant spiritual journey in every word. Take time to read this book." --Caroline Myss, author of Sacred Contracts: Awakening Your Divine Potential

"Pat Schneider is one of America's premier writing instructors. Her genius lies as much in her tenacity as in her talent, and in a wild incredible belief that there is a force in the universe, a 'light' if you will, that we--'cracked' though we may be--can emit if we work hard enough. How the Light Gets In effortlessly shows us how to do that often difficult work. If there is one book on writing or writers you can read this year, I emphatically recommend this one." --Sapphire, author of Push and The Kid

"How the Light Gets In is a moving blend of memoir and reflections on creative writing through the lens of spiritual practice that leaves the reader comforted and challenged. This is an instructive, marvelous read." --Emilie M. Townes, Andrew W. Mellon Professor of African American Religion and Theology, Yale Divinity School

"Will have wide appeal to both amateur and seasoned writers and spiritual seekers whether or not tied to any tradition. The book is also useful as a tool for growth through reflection and writing. Highly recommended." --Library Journal

"Will captivate writers who are looking for an alternative to the typical "how-to" book--who are looking for a book both practical and reverential." --Image

“Roger Welsch let himself be engulfed by the world Native people know and was swallowed whole in the waters of its deep and ageless sea. The Reluctant Pilgrim tells the stories of some of the things that have happened as a result. And it shows that the Spirits chose wisely when they tagged Roger Welsch as their own.”—Dawn Hill Adams, member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and co-president, senior scientist, and founder of Tapestry Institute

andldquo;A great tool for veterans, military service members, military family members, and for instructors of creative writing.andrdquo;andmdash;Brian Turner, author of My Life as a Foreign Country

andldquo;Both useful and graceful. . . . This book is essential for those who want to share their perspective on the growth, the ironies, the emotions, and the fundamental truths of the military experience.andrdquo;andmdash;Janet Burroway, author of Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft

andldquo;Tracy Crow has written the perfect writing guide. Her advice is crisp, clear, and indispensable: just what youandrsquo;d expect from a former Marine turned author.andrdquo;andmdash;Dinty W. Moore, author ofand#160;Between Panic and Desireand#160;and the director of the creative writing program at Ohio University

andldquo;Finally! A straightforward, practical primer. . . . On Point provides the necessary tools for converting oneandrsquo;s military experience into meaningful storytelling.andrdquo;andmdash;Dwight Jon Zimmerman, #1 New York Times best-selling author and president of the Military Writers Society of Americaand#160;

andldquo;The world needs Tracy Crowandrsquo;s writing guide because no other book has been written specifically for military veterans with stories to share. The advice is solid, her examples relevant, and her approach inspirational.andrdquo;andmdash;Lee Barnes, author of Gunning for Hoand#160;andand#160;When We Walked Above the Clouds: A Memoir of Vietnam

"When I begin to write, I open myself and wait. And when I turn toward an inner spiritual awareness, I open myself and wait." With that insight, Pat Schneider invites readers to contemplate their lives and deepest questions through writing. In seventeen concise thematic chapters that include meditations on topics such as fear, freedom, tradition in writing and in religions, forgiveness, joy, social justice, and death, How the Light Gets In gracefully guides readers through the artistic and spiritual questions that life offers to everyone.

Praised as a "fuse lighter" by author Julia Cameron and "the wisest teacher of writing I know" by the celebrated writing guru Peter Elbow, Pat Schneider has lived a life of writing and teaching, passion and compassion. With How the Light Gets In, she delves beyond the typical "how-to's" of writing to offer an extended rumination on two inner paths, and how they can run as one. Schneider's book is distinct from the many others in the popular spirituality and creative writing genre by virtue of its approach, using one's lived experience--including the experience of writing--as a springboard for expressing the often ineffable events that define everyday life. Her belief that writing about one's own life leads to greater consciousness, satisfaction, and wisdom energizes the book and carries the reader elegantly through difficult topics.

As Schneider writes, "All of us live in relation to mystery, and becoming conscious of that relationship can be a beginning point for a spiritual practice--whether we experience mystery in nature, in ecstatic love, in the eyes of our children, our friends, the animals we love, or in more strange experiences of intuition, synchronicity, or prescience."

Forty years ago, while paging through a book sent as an unexpected gift from a friend, Roger Welsch came across a curious reference to stones that were round, “like the sun and moon.” According to Tatonka-ohitka, Brave Buffalo (Sioux), these stones were sacred. “I make my request of the stones and they are my intercessors,” Brave Buffalo explained. Moments later, another friend appeared at Welschs door bearing yet another unusual gift: a perfectly round white stone found on top of a mesa in Colorado. So began Welschs lesson from stones, gifts that always presented themselves unexpectedly: during a walk, set aside in an antique store, and in the mail from complete strangers.

 

The Reluctant Pilgrim shares a skeptics spiritual journey from his Lutheran upbringing to the Native sensibilities of his adoptive families in both the Omaha and Pawnee tribes. Beginning with those round stones, increasing encounters during his life prompted Welsch to confront a new way of learning and teaching as he was drawn inexorably into another world. Confronting mainstream contemporary cultures tendency to dismiss the magical, mystical, and unexplained, Welsch shares his personal experiences and celebrates the fact that even in our scientific world, “Something Is Going On,” just beyond our ken.

Personal writing can be risky for anyone, but for military veterans, especially those suffering from post-traumatic stress, sharing stories can trigger painful and disturbing flashbacks. Writing is also risky for the ego. It is one thing to write a military story, especially one based on authentic experiences; it is quite another to muster the courage to share that story with others for critique and feedback.and#160;Award-winning journalist and author Tracy Crow presents a roadmap for writing an authentic, persuasive military story. Drawing from her personal experiences and those of other veteran writers, and from the insights of noteworthy writing and teaching professionals, On Point is the guide Crow wishes sheandrsquo;d had when she first began writing about her military experience. No previous writing guide specifically addresses the unique challenges and rewards facing soldiers who want to craft their military story with courage and candor.

A renowned teacher of writing, Pat Schneider is the author of ten works of poetry and nonfiction, including Writing Alone and With Others. Founder of Amherst Writers and Artists, she travels frequently to teach and has been leading workshops in creative writing at the Pacific School of Religion for almost thirty years. Garrison Keillor has read her poems sixteen times on "Writers Almanac."

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE

INTRODUCTION

POEM: SOMETIMES WRITING

I. THERE IS A SPIRIT

POEM: TO BREAK SILENCE

II. PRAYER

POEM: ABOUT, AMONG OTHER THINGS, GOD

III. RANSOM

POEM: INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE JOURNEY

IV. FEAR

POEM: THIS IS A RIVER

V. DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL

POEM: PERSONAL ADDRESS

VI. TRADITION: RELIGION

POEM: YOUR BOAT, YOUR WORDS

VII. TRADITION: WRITING

POEM: BRAIDED RUG

VIII. FORGIVING

POEM: PENN STATION, NEW YORK CITY

IX. RECEIVING FORGIVENESS

PLAY