Spirit or Automatic Writing,

A Part of My Personal Journey

by Marilyn Muir, LPMAFA

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One of the initial methods to access esoteric or spiritual information that I developed and used was “automatic” or “spirit” writing. I began my conscious spiritual development in 1970 using a simplified version of an Ouija Board concept. A work friend and I played with the concept during our lunch hour breaks. Within a few weeks, that had become an ordinary part of our day. Shortly, my work partner who later became my spiritual friend Pam, spontaneously and effortlessly developed what we later came to understand as Spirit or Automatic Writing. Pam’s messages were simple, direct and encouraging (such as “God is Love”). Wanting to participate in this new skill, I tried… and tried… and tried. Nothing! Somewhere along the line, I caught on to the fact that I was trying too hard. When you do that, you can get in the way of what you are seeking. Be receptive, not insistent! Important lesson!

Originally this skill developed as a result of sitting with a pencil and paper and waiting for something, anything, to happen. This stage lasted about a month, and finally something did happen. My hand, holding the pencil for what seemed like at least the thousandth time, started to move – at first randomly, and then with purpose and direction, and eventually forming words. Within a short time, I moved from random, sketchy writing to flowing, sometimes profound, messages and actual dissertations. My first long writing was on Cosmogenesis, the origins of the Universe! What? I knew nothing about that subject at that time. The guidance was spontaneous, and informative.

By simply allowing Spirit to guide my writing, I received deep and meaningful passages from the personal, up to and including cosmic evolution. When asking specific personal questions, I received much briefer and speculative answers. After about three years, I stopped doing this writing as I became busy with other spiritual exercises. Over the years, I have occasionally written, but without the depth and content of the original free-flowing messages. Also, over time, I quite freely went from pencils, to typewriters, to computer keyboards. Once the ability turned on, it naturally developed through the physical techniques available.

During the following years, unconsciously, an usual gift of writing developed. I did not realize at first it was a changed form of Spirit Writing. Sound asleep, I  would be awakened, usually about 3:00 AM, wide awake, with the strongest urge to write. I had no idea what I wanted to write about, only that I had to write.

When I write personally, I do a lot of editing, changing the order of the paragraphs, re-writing passages, adding or deleting, etc. When I wrote at 3:00 AM under what I came to realize was spiritual direction, an amazing difference occurred. The subject selected itself. I wrote the entire message or document at one time, without stopping. The originals, which I preserved, were letter perfect; not an “i” was left undotted nor a “t” left uncrossed. Punctuation and paragraphing were exact. When the writing was finished, I simply went back to bed.

Rather than the original pencil form of Spirit Writing, I seem to have developed another method. Usually, the Spirit directing the writing used my personal experiences quite freely, but put the material together in a way I did not initiate or anticipate. I feel these messages were spiritually directed or authored, and that I simply held the pencil and provided the paper. “Responsibilities of Counseling” was one of those spiritually directed writings and has been republished as a stand-alone article on this website. There will be others published as I encounter them.  I had this writing privilege for several years while I developed and eventually taught.

Overall, these writings helped provide material for the development of the Ministry course for my church (Mission: Aquarius, Inc.). More of that early writing is included in the introductory part of course #1: Spiritual Paths.

As I wrote this article, I was curious about the current or encyclopedic definition of Spirit Writing, so I did a Google search. There was a raft of information, much of which was impersonal, and derogatory or pessimistic in nature, so I choose not to refer you to that material as it is easy enough to locate if you are interested in the opinion of those who did not personally participate as a Spirit Writer.

Oh, and before I end this missive, I, who had no natural talent for drawing, actually received maps and drawings as part of my Spirit Writing. The first was a leprechaun as a leaf of clover. I asked why the drawing? And the answer was, “It was fun!” Spirit apparently has a sense of humor as well. The maps will be covered in yet another article because they were divinatory in nature, and that is a subject for another time.

What about you? Can you do Spirit Writing? Remember, my friend Pam and I were completely ignorant of the possibility of spirit contact. We developed. What can I pass on to you as some sort of instruction?

  1. Always reach for the highest and best possible in your circumstance: guides, teachers, etc. Always aim high
  2. Keep a positive atmosphere at all times, with no negativity on your part. If you are not up to that, don’t do it at that time, but do it later when you can get your personal act together.
  3. This is not a game, so approach it with respect.
  4. No drugs or alcohol while actively developing spiritually.
  5. Stick-to-it-iveness and patience are assets; skill may take time.
  6. Insisting that Spirit does it YOUR way is an error on your part. Don’t get in your own way as I did! It isn’t fatal, but can delay your progress.
  7. Be grateful for the opportunity. Remember to say thank you for guidance. Respect.
  8. Keep your writings and / or drawings and keep notes to monitor your progress.

This exercise can be both enjoyable and spiritually uplifting.

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.