Write or Wrong

I cringe at the easy future of writing a self-help book. As in, it’d be really easy to write a self-help book or even a book that claims it isn’t a self-help book but is just a wolf in sheep’s clothing… and it’s helping you. I’ve read plenty of them and sure, many have helped. I won’t hate on these kinds of books much because they exist as a simple result of the times. It’s nice! What do I want, self-hate books instead?

I’m bemoaning them because like anything that gets popular, it gets beaten to death. It gets exploited, profit-ized, and so, loses its original purpose from a lack of potency. Where to go from here? Can I write non-fiction, spiritual, inspirational things that are near to my heart and not be tooting the same horn every other well-intentioned author has had their mouth all over?

After a pause, I sense there is quite a bit of “I-ness” in the way. A term I did not coin. It’s the only phrase in English that describes many ancient languages’ reference to the essence of individual “me” consciousness that we all have and operate out of. When it gets in the way, I experience it as every single thought revolves around ME. Even if it seems like I’m thinking about writing, or the reader, or the subject, it all starts and ends with me, if I pay attention. I am being my “I-ness.” Even in my awareness of my own “I-ness,” I am standing on the ground made up of “I-ness,” looking out into “I-ness” with eyeballs comprised solely of “I-ness” molecules.

Okay… this snippet of writing is already way out of hand. This is what I mean: I want things “in hand” as in, in tangible, physical reality. Not “in head,” in wispy, weird un-grounded illusions. Illusions are fun to play with, but that don’t really do much. Debating if writing what I want is good or bad… just more illusionary “I-ness” talk.

A way out of “I-ness” and mumbo jumbo is realness or nowness. (Good job, Eckhart, you got me.) I feel good body sensations, which are evidence of realness when I conjure up this:  I’m committed to making a positive difference in the world. I’m good at writing because I’ve practiced. If I keep practicing and writing about “what is so,” the product will contribute to said positive difference.

So, did me self-helping myself for these few paragraphs help you help yourself? Is this how this works? May we all become aware of “I-ness.” May we give up our resistance against it. May we write in peace.