Automatic writing is a simple, safe, and powerful way to connect with your Soul.
But don’t be intimidated by the “writing” part!
Automatic writing can be practiced by anyone, from beginners who have just begun their spiritual journey, to seasoned travelers on the inward path.
You don’t have to be a “good writer” or bother about spelling and grammar at all – none of that matters!
Automatic writing is totally intuitive, so the only thing that matters is your heart and underlying intention.
In this article, I want to share with you how to hone this magical skill, even if you have zero experience!
Table of contents
What is Automatic Writing?
Automatic writing, also known as psychography, is the practice of tapping into a deep source of wisdom within you outside of conscious awareness – also known as the Soul.
This intuitive writing practice is usually done in a trance-like or altered state of consciousness.
Psychologists and spiritualists have varying beliefs about the origin of automatic writing, with some arguing that it is sourced from the unconscious mind, and others claiming that it originates from supernatural forces such as spirit guides and angels.
My personal belief is that automatic writing is sourced from the unconscious mind which is a doorway into the Soul or Higher Self. This makes automatic writing a wonderful way to gain profound and accurate life guidance!
The Benefits of Automatic Writing
As you slowly and steadily learn the art and craft of automatic writing, you’ll see just how deeply it can transform your life.
Here are the main benefits of this wondrous practice:
- Calming and centering effect on the mind and body
- Gaining direct spiritual guidance from your Soul/Higher Self
- More inner clarity and birds-eye-view understanding
- Improved ability to make wise decisions
- Healing/balancing the third eye chakra and throat chakra
- Increased heart connection
- Intuitive abilities are sharpened, honed, and developed
- Feeling more supported and deeply understood by life
- Improved ability to trust your primal gut instincts
- Understanding what your path and purpose is in this life
There are many other benefits of automatic writing and that is part of the wondrous joy of this practice – you never know precisely how it’s going to enrich your life next!
Gradually you’ll discover that different parts of yourself and your life have undergone some kind of spiritual alchemy in the most subtle yet profound way.
Automatic Writing and Spiritual Awakening
Many people who have undergone a spiritual awakening often find themselves drawn instinctually to automatic writing.
There’s something about the mystery and magic inherent in this practice that makes it humbling, revealing, and healing – qualities that every spiritual seeker needs.
Automatic writing is also a spiritual practice just as relevant and beneficial as yoga or meditation as it opens a gateway to experiences of self-realization and spiritual Oneness.
Such sublime tastes of these Divine revelations can offer tremendous guidance, direction, and insight for the Soul in search of its true Home.
How to Channel Your Soul Through Automatic Writing
Essentially, automatic writing, when broken down into simple steps, is quite straightforward. It involves:
- Getting a pen and paper/opening a notepad or word document
- Thinking of a question to ask
- Writing down the question
- Relaxing your body and mind
- Allowing the writing to flow spontaneously
However, entering the flow needed for automatic writing can be fairly tricky without some kind of guidance (unless you have a natural gift for it).
You might also find, like many people, that the first time you try automatic writing it goes really well. But after that, you struggle a lot!
The reason this happens is that when we first try something new, our minds are often empty of belief and expectation (also known as the ‘Beginner’s Mind’).
However, afterward, we begin to accumulate mental baggage and expectations which tend to block the process of spontaneous revelation.
Don’t worry if this happens.
What you’ll need to learn is how to empty the mind.
I’ll share some tips below about how to do that – along with the basic process of automatic writing, from start to finish:
1. Set aside a time and space
Before starting an automatic writing session, it’s important that you give yourself as much time as needed to express what needs to be expressed.
One surefire way to hinder the flow of information is time pressure and the expectation that it “should” take a certain amount of time.
In my experience, automatic writing can take a couple of minutes anywhere up to half an hour or more.
Basically, create a space in which you can relax as much as possible mentally.
You may benefit from reserving time in the afternoons when you can’t be disturbed or any time when you can’t be interrupted for at least an hour.
Remember, you deserve this time to yourself! Automatic writing is an inner work practice that nourishes and revitalizes your deeper self. Treat this practice as sacred and know that you’re worthy of experiencing this!
If, for some reason, you need to keep the session short, set a timer so you don’t have to worry about checking the time frequently.
2. Think of a question that you want guidance for
The whole purpose of automatic writing is to access guidance from your Soul, especially if you struggle to hear it in daily life.
Start each session with a clear question, and write it down in your journal or word document.
Choose a question that has really been pulling at your heart or eating you up inside. The more emotionally charged the question is, the clearer your response will be. This step is also known as setting an intention.
It’s also important that you address your question to someone or something in particular such as your Soul, a Spirit Guide, or your unconscious mind.
For example, your question could be “Dear Soul, why do I keep sabotaging my happiness?”
Try to keep your questions simple.
If you have many questions, break them up into different sessions of writing — this will make the process easier for you. Choose only one central question at a time.
3. Relax your mind
Learning how to relax your mind is the most important part of automatic writing.
When your mind is still and empty of thoughts, writing spontaneously becomes much easier.
Examples of possible ways you can relax your mind include:
- Meditation
- Breathwork techniques
- Mindfulness
- Visualisation
- Aromatherapy
- Sitting in nature
- Yoga
If you live in a country that permits plant medicines like marijuana (and if you feel comfortable using it), you may also like to make responsible use of this natural resource.
Do whatever suits you and relaxes you the most.
4. Enter a gentle trance
As humans, we have the capacity to enter trance-like states very easily. The most popular trance state we enter into is while watching TV!
A trance-like state is a form of altered consciousness in which your normal thinking brain relaxes.
For automatic writing, entering a trance state is very useful because it facilitates the spontaneous flow of information.
Common ways to enter into a gentle trance include listening to music, yogic/holotropic breathing, mantras, repetitive tasks, guided meditations, self-hypnosis, and many others.
Choose whatever works best for you, and don’t be shy with experimenting. I personally like listening to calming music, sitting outdoors in nature, and blending that with mindfulness or meditation.
You might also like to read our article on inducing trance states for more guidance and inspiration.
5. Allow the flow of information
Once you feel ready you can begin to write.
Don’t worry if at first, the words are gobbledygook or if you can’t follow the stream of information.
In fact, if you’re completely unaware of what you’re writing, that’s actually a very good thing! It means that you’re tapping into something that is far greater than your thinking mind.
It’s also very common during this stage to find yourself judging what you write and analyzing it with skepticism. This is quite normal.
If you find your mind getting too involved, gently bring yourself back towards whatever practice you used before to enter a trance state.
For example, if you were rhythmically breathing, go back to that. You’ll likely have to repeat this step a number of times.
I prefer to look away when I’m writing so that I’m not easily drawn into judging what I’m writing. But other people prefer looking. Experiment and see what suits you.
If you’re not used to writing, you’ll probably carry a bit of inhibition at first, which is natural. With practice, you’ll get into “the flow” of it, meaning that you’ll find automatic writing increasingly easier and easier to do without conscious thought.
Remember: don’t judge what you’ve written just yet.
Focus on entering a trance state, let your mind be soft and unfocused, and write!
6. Interpret the information
At a certain point, you’ll intuitively sense that your automatic writing session is coming to an end.
Perhaps you’ll feel like you’ve energetically “run dry” or your mind becomes sharper again. Through time, you’ll learn what this signal feels like.
Other times, you might abruptly stop writing and no more information comes.
Whatever the case, once you’ve stopped, it’s time to review what you’ve written.
Try looking firstly for coherent sentences or keywords that may pop out. Perhaps the vast majority of it sounds like gibberish, but every now and then there’s a legible sentence – focus on that.
Sometimes you’ll also find patterns, and in some situations, even words from different languages emerging in your journaling.
Other forms of automatic writing may include mantras, symbols, and even images.
Be prepared to do a little self-reflection as oftentimes what comes through is metaphorical or symbolic.
Also, if you’re confused about what has been written, you can always use that as a question to ask in your next automatic writing session.
When I’m confused, I like to wait and ruminate on what has been written for a while. If I haven’t figured out what the message is after a week (which is rare), I use that as another question for my automatic writing sessions.
Read: How to Trust Your Intuition & Find Total Clarity (9 Tips) »
How to Know Whether You’re Really Channeling Your Soul
The best way to know for sure that you’re receiving guidance from your Soul is how you feel while writing.
Do you feel a sense of inner spaciousness, lightness, and other good “vibes”? Or do you feel heavy, emotionally charged, and mentally frantic?
In my experience, I know for sure that I’m connecting with Soul/Spirit when I enter a state of no-mind in which I am completely present, calm, and at peace.
However, when writing becomes frantic and heavy, it is usually coming from the mental or emotional energy “body” – also known as the conscious self or ego.
Another way to tell whether you’re really channeling your Soul is by reviewing what is written.
Are the words authoritative, clear, and wise? Or are the words closer to what your mind sounds like (disjointed, critical, or vague)?
Words from your Soul will always sound and feel crystal clear.
***
I hope this advice helps you out and inspires you to begin practicing automatic writing.
If you’d like to learn more about journaling in general, see my article entitled How to Journal: 19 Beginner Tips For Modern Mystics!
What are your experiences with this magical practice? I’d love to hear below!
I am very impressed with your site. I will still look here. Best wishes
Automatic writing! Wow ! I can’t wait to try! I have been asking for guidance for finding ways to Serve. I am a recovering addict and the best Sober tool and reward I have found is by sharing something that helps someone else. I have never consciously tried writing like this but have entered into trans like states when I write to Spirit ! This article kind of validates it for me and I am very excited and looking forward to this! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you so much!! Peace Love and Light!
My friends tried to automic write, but didnt get far. She got stuck after opening her first chakra. Now she is dealing with some annoying pain on her elbow and wrist,sometiems her whole arm.
She didnt connect with her spirit guide yet, what should she do?
Ps: she is not possesed neither being attacked.
Just checking in… and I needed to send a message because sometime yesterday I noticed a web page mentioning something virtually the same.The synchronicity wasfascinating I admit.
I’m scared a bit because my writings contained information that I didn’t have prior knowledge of. The writings called out the song writer of country Rutherford and said tell your mamma Sammy is going to get a grammy then it said comeback!. I looked it and I had no prior knowledge prior to this thes artists works prior to thes channeling. I have been awake almost a week batteling bed bugs omg and writing country and blue grass lyrics I wrote 17 original songs in 1 night when I noticed something odd about the writings i dont remenber writing ti George Strait about his sad song and hit “the cowbay rides away. The letter was weird. He is married and there were lines in it. Like “I want to be you Teen Queen and it was titled “George how do you feel about lunch? I am amazed at my writings because all of the song turned out really good as in quality works and I had never written country at all. I thought I heard howling and lite human voice chatter while I was writing so I’m concerned about anything evil being around me.
I would’ be afraid if I were you, the voices and howling you heard almost makes me think you were somewhat in the astro realm. Those could be your spirits guides or angels around you. If you’re a medium it could also be spirits that are wanting your help. Also, your story about your automatic writing is amazing!
I was introduced to this type of “channeling” as a child. (I am now 62 yrs old). I actually did this kind of writing on my own, it was kind of my little secret. When I was about 12, I showed my secret writings to a relative who was visiting, who got very excited and called a friend of hers who was “a psychic”. She called it “AutoNOMIC Writing”. I heard it called that for many years after, but it seems to have changed to AutoMATIC Writing.
I guess it makes no difference. A lot of words have been invented, changed, no longer used, meanings moved, etc in the last 50 yrs. We no longer write in Olde English anymore. *smiles* We write in text: R U ? lmao etc.
Autonomic Writing is a term that makes more sense to me, when I consider the autonomic nervous system and what it does…the psycho-spiritual meaning is clearer. (I absolutely love that you bring the psychology in with the spiritual in with the shamanism etc.)
At any rate, I enjoyed this article immensely! Perhaps I will try this kind of writing again. I have always done it when the urge hit very hard, as if my Soul had something important to tell me. The last time it came over me was right before I met my husband 5+ yrs ago. Things came out of my fingers on the keyboard about him, his childhood, his adult learning, what we needed from each other…! It was really cool reading it with him after we got together, and again when we got married.
I’m new to your site and feeling so much spiritual growth and waking up from all I’ve read & practiced. I’ve already purchased the “Spiritual Awakening Process” and the Shadow Journal. <– forgot I'd downloaded the freebie.
Thank you for all the work you do, sharing your journeys and for being so down to earth spiritual!
Shari Wolf
Hi,
I was introduced to automatic writing 30 years ago. I always end up with the spirit saying remember me…you are mine…sometimes Mommy. This isn’t my subconscious…could it be a spirit from a past life?
I’ve done automatic writing for a few years now. Sometimes I review but mostly I just release myself. When I neglect it, I can feel the pressure closing in. Much nicer, more peaceful, and evolving to keep writing. Thank you for this article.
also, why do I seem to sense several ‘presences’ in the house – one that feels like a female ‘watcher’ in the attic that shifts to the bathroom mirror, one ‘animalistic male’ presence by the cupboard under the stairs in the kitchen that feels like it sits on the corner of the stairs, and two or three in my bedroom that seem to be ‘dark, protective morphing’ entities that guard and yet terrify me, alongside the one ‘male, demonic’ presence in my sister’s bedroom (she no longer sleeps there since she played Ouija and broke the mirror in there, saying that it feels ‘nasty’ to spend more than a minute in there)
I did this and I’m not sure if this was done right. What I ended up writing was “we even vle” (question was, “soul, what is my purpose?”) I looked up the world vle and it actually is a word in a different language. I think it is asking me if I am really willing… Willing to know. Crazy.
I have often found that while I’m writing stories – which for some reason are always dark and somewhat twisted with a focus on splitting the narrative; though I never manage to get past the first few pages if I’m lucky – I seem to enter a state of mindlessness just as you’ve described and the words just seem to flow forth until they no longer do so. Although it seems unrelated, is it possible that my Asperger’s syndrome plays a role? I always feel as though my emotions are somehow ‘false’ or dulled to the point of non-existence and I think of myself more as a void than a true ‘human’ with emotions and such. In the past, I’ve been spiritual and have sensed things; like imagining the net curtain that was in the toilet window was my grandmother’s skirts flapping in the breeze. However, I had a bad experience wherein I had several nightmares and slammed up imaginary ‘shields’ blocking everything out. Since then, I’ve not been able to imagine anything, nor do I dream (and I know when I do, as it sticks with me as a vague feeling of ‘oh, I had a dream last night, how weird’ any advice? I also seem to identify more as an ‘old soul’ and one of my best ‘friends’ is my Nan, my Dog, my cat (both of which always turn up when I’m doing something like meditating) while my other friends have all disappeared into being ‘acquaintances’. At least my girlfriend (who’s even more of a HSP than I seem to be) has been a source of comfort through the fear of being ‘not normal’ and her mother is also spiritual so I get some advice from them yet it doesn’t seem to help.
I haven’t tried automatic writing but I’ve used Angel cards and my pendulum. After my spiritual awakening my gifts became stronger. I could easily hear and see guidance for me and others. I could easily get into a trance and have channeled. Spoke other languages too. I stopped for awhile because a shaman I was working with told me that I needed to do some healing before I did anymore card readings or energy work. I am also a reiki master.
I stopped for awhile but now I feel like something is blocking me. I have had reiki done by me and someone else. I’ve done meditations and crystals to open my upper chakras. I feel like something is blocking me. Especially in my third eye. It’s better than it was. I tried to work with my cards again the other night and I felt blocked again. It’s very frustrating.
Having been connected and now feeling disconnected feels horrible. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks!
My soul said “I’ve lots of trust and fear in you. You can do it believe it, I’m closed in you you can do it, anything. Don’t be afraid, believe and don’t be afraid.” also “Truth is that everything is one and that you’re love, trust it, trust the divine plan see God, God is in you you can achieve greatness. Everything is love. Trust, see the plan ,trust your sister, your mom and dad, you’re my witch believe and relax. FAITH. And finally zen is achieved”
Maybe it was just my mind rambling
This sounds a whole lot like what I was dirst getting and still get to this day, but now I also connect to Passed Loved Ones in Autowright to give readings. I love this system.
Hi,
I have some problems. I hope you can help me fix it.
I’ve tried the automatic writing two times. First, I tried to talk to my angels, but another thing, in my opinion, showed up. This entity couldn’t write so well and took time for it to write the letters correctly. Afterwards, it gave me its name. I asked how old are you? It repeated the number “8” three times that I thought it was 8 years old.
Because it wouldn’t say anything else but repeating 8 after 3 times, I said goodbye, it replied back as the same.
A few days later, I again wanted to talk to my angels, but again this entity came to talk. By saying its name, I found out that was it again. Without any introduction, it said “I am dead. And I’m always praying for you [something like that].”
I asked what do you mean by saying so? It answered, “We were classmates in primary school.” which I realized couldn’t be true as I had no boy classmate in primary school (the name it had given me was a boy name).
Then, it gave me the last name of my intimate classmate in primary school as I had asked for its last name. Again without introduction, it said, “I am in your head.”
That was really weird for me and I couldn’t get anything from its words.
I asked it about the number 8 and the reason it had written them, but it denied doing so. I was getting the feeling that it was messing with me, wasn’t frank with me, and giving me wrong intel about itself. I asked what its purpose was to talk to me, and the answer was, “I am talking rubbish.” I asked if it was wasting my time, it said yea, it was. That was really off the wall since at first it said it prays for me, but now it said it wants to disturb me.
Again I asked why it had come upon me while I wanted to talk to my angels, but it had no idea. I asked, “How can I talk to the person/thing I want to instead of talking to you?” Again it was idealess. Or perhaps it just didn’t want to give me the answer.
The whole time, I was not feeling bad or scared, or my heart was not racing due to fear. I was just sweating and I don’t know why. The only reason I stopped talking with it, was that I felt the session was futile and that thing was not helping me.
Now, what I’m seeking help for, is that why this happened? I wanted to talk to my angels, but what was this thing? It was not helping me, but even mocking me and literally wasting my time. Was it an entity with low frequencies? What am I going to do? How can I get connected with the target I want?
In response to your channel writing experience. I channel write messages from my spirit guides daily. I have heard experiences though where, i ask questions at random between daily tasks. I simply ask the questions in my head, and then i receive answers that i know are incorrect, or un helpful. I asked my guides about these experiences where i end up channeling entitites that hang around in the 4th dimension, with ill intentions. My guides made it clear to me that i am too enter a meditative state for a time, before i then start channel writing. This practice raises my vibration, and puts me in a null thinking state, non judgemental, more compassionate state. I then proceed to channel write with clear guidance from my guides. They explained to me that if i don’t get into that state, and just start writing, that i will invite in any 4 th dimensional entity who will play mind games with me on my questions asked.
So practice meditation before any channel writing, and then set the intention that you would like to speak with your guides or soul of the highest light, imagine a bubble of bright white light or gold around yourself, and make sure you have amethyst close to your metaphysical energy.
Hope this helps.
Simon
Do you prefer any meditatiôn?
I never tried it , to my knowledge , I am willing to give it a try.Jeanine
Hi, I just want to know please, simple question: when I do the automatic writing, everything is as said except, mine does not come as words or even letters, just scribble, is there at trick to hold your pen or pencil? I try to keep is softly held between my fingers not to force the writing. Is that wrong? What should I do?. Please help!
Perhaps try gripping the pencil a little more tightly, just slightly. I tend to scribble a bit at first as well, so it takes a bit of “acclimatising.” You could also experiment with the keyboard (touch typing).
I used the process described in the book “Writing Down Your Soul: How to Activate and Listen to the Extraordinary Voice Within” for a couple of months. The quality of information seemed good, but I was afraid to trust it, maybe afraid to get out of my comfy hole. Perhaps that would be a good article, or a question to ask in the process – how to stop sabotaging our spiritual growth because of fear.
One difference in the book’s process was setting your intention before you start. There is a description at http://www.dailyom.com/cgi-bin/display/librarydisplay.cgi?lid=1760
I somehow did this on my own, even before I knew what automatic writing was, I would just sit in front of a computer doing a homework about a topic, I would just send my mind into the topic homework and relax and I would go on typing ’til kingdom come, going into the trance like state as mentioned in the article; heck, even the words I use sometimes are instinctual, like a word just pops up in my head without consciously thinking and it turns out to be correct.
What I’m saying is that, damn I feel weird considering that I was automatically writing a homework as I collided with this article
So question, I read in a book that automatic writting was potentially dangerous because you let yourself become passive to other spirits. What is your take on such warning? I hope that asking this isn’t rude btw, I appreciate the information y’all share.
I have never experienced anything dangerous through automatic writing personally, and I’ve not heard of “spirit possession” or anything of the sort while doing this. (I also don’t believe that spirit possession is possible for a number of reasons.) The most “dangerous” thing that can happen in my opinion is not really that dangerous: channelling your Shadow self. So if you have a lot of repression, your automatic writing may reveal thoughts or emotions that you’ve never consciously registered before like anger or hatred. If anything, this would be a cathartic practice to release pent up emotions. During automatic writing, you’re always in control, just as you are while you’re watching TV. The subtle altered state of consciousness can very easily be halted or brought to a stop if you no longer wish it to continue.
Thank you for your answer!
I loss my soul mate of 40 years in 2016. A few months later I was writing a letter to him to let him know how much I loved him and why he did not come after me. I was crying very hard and I wrote my questions to him and I folded it up and put it away. I found it 2 years later. When I re-read it, to my surprise – when I read it, he had answered my questions! I could not believe it! It was not my handwriting! He told me that he never stop loving me and why he did not come after me all those years ago. I cannot tell you how awesome I felt – knowing he was there with me when I wrote it and he heard me and he let me know a lot of ‘whys’. I talk to him all the time now in my Spirit. but that was the breakthrough I needed.
Thank you, I am doing this very soon.
Another ice-breaking suggestion to help people move into a more spiritual approach to earth duty. Thank you. I already do this from time to time, but there is no writing. I identify whom I wish to address and ask questions… or just have conversation. The answers or replies just flow into consciousness… as long as I can hold clear and uncluttered attention. Then the question becomes, well, did I just make that up or did I really get an answer. If it felt genuine while I was doing it, that’s enough validation for me.
I’m glad you liked this suggestion, Ned. I’ve done “soul conversations” before as well, although it does require immense stillness and focus. I’ve noticed that our deepest inner knowing often communicates with us through physical sensations and non-physical sensations (goosebumps, gut feelings, instincts) as well. So that is another possible avenue of soul connection. Thanks for connecting once again. ;)
So i was just looking for confirmation from outside and it led me to knowing what an Indigo Child means and I feel that i relate to it so much from birth. Now it has led me to reach this page.
I was thinking of doing automatic writing and I was just going through the comments and I realised I do soul communication pretty often cause I spend a lot of time alone finding answers. These are not even loud questions, questions and answers happen within me. There is always a confirmation from within and it’s not doubtful. I always feel the soul I am talking to is seperated from me because of the conditioning or where I need to reach is to that point when I am not seperated from my soul so that the questions and answers has no distance between them. What are your thoughts on this please?
I know exactly what you mean… Sometimes when I ask myself questions, I dont feel the separation as if I am asking an entity that is my Soul above me or outside of me or my body (even though Lord knows there’s probably how many versions of Me existing on how many different dimensions…) At least in this one, I feel the answers are coming from deep within my core, within my very being. I am my Soul, I am It, It is Me, if that makes any sense…hard to describe in words, but I very much feel it is hard to separate this earthly version of myself from ‘myself’…I wouldnt travel or go anywhere in any dimension on any planet in any universe without the so-called real ‘Me’. So that phrase you said about having no distance or separation between your own answers and questions is something I very much experience as truth….to the point that I sometimes think my Angels (bless them for putting up with me! :D ) just take a back seat when I ask them questions because they already know I know the answers I am giving to myself. So yes, if this helps anyone, I feel it is very much possible to reach that degree of feeling so wholly connected to ‘yourself’ that the degree of separation is non-existant (which is what Spiritual truth is anyways right?) There is no separation, so why would one NOT be connected to their own Spiritual essence?? Love this site and best of luck to all travelers out there seeking answers…