One of the best ways to deepen your connection to your Muse—your creative Source–is an exercise called Discovery Writing.  It taps the infinite creativity of your subconscious mind to enhance your creative output; increase income; enrich relationships; organize your life; deepen your spiritual connection, and so on.

Here’s how it works. Write one objective you want to work on at the top of the page.  Let’s say it’s “20 Things I Can Do to Increase My Income 25 Per Cent this Month.”  (If you want to double your income, then use that as a goal.)  Then, for two minutes, keep your pen moving. Set a timer.  Jot down whatever is in your mind, even if no sensible income-stimulating idea is there, never letting the pen be idle for a second.  Even if it’s seemingly off-topic like “chocolate chip cookies.” Who knows—maybe you can make money selling the cookies you bake in your spare time. (Debbi Fields sure did before she thrived as Mrs. Fields.)  Maybe you just need an occasional milk and cookies break. Your inner child might be trying to give you a tip that all work and no cookies make you a dull boy. The act of letting creative juices flow without editorial censorship opens you to provocative ideas from the Unconscious.  From this, I developed new workshop ideas, ideas for books, and names of people who could expand my work.  After two minutes, put down your pen and look at your list. If any idea appeals to your rational mind, consider acting upon it the way you’d act upon any good idea.

Ananda, the Buddha cat

My cat is a 10-pound little Buddha whom I named Ananda (Sanskrit for bliss) because she purrs faster than any cat I’ve ever known. She’s taught me volumes, just as your cat can teach you, and just as many other cats have taught the people who love them. A small piece of the Zen teachings of my cat follows.

1) Think highly enough of yourself so that others will be attracted to you.

2) Allow yourself to be pleasured, so that others will drop what they are doing to pleasure you in abundance.

3) Let others support and feed you.

4) Let others hold and touch you.

5) Cuddle up to people; it makes you (and them) feel great.

6) Nap when you feel like it; it’s good for your soul, and not bad for your body, either.

7) It’s innocent to be the center of attention.

8) Curiosity doesn’t kill the cat; it thrills it.

9) The more playful you are, the more you’re loved and the more you prosper.

10) Most of all, when you’re happy, let the whole world know it and purr away—you’ll be feline groovy.