Jessica Davidson's Blog, page 45
June 17, 2017
Buddhist Writing Prompt: Examine the Nature of Awareness
Examine the Nature of Awareness is about turning your attention inwards to notice who is aware of your experience. When you try to catch yourself seeing or thinking or feeling, ‘you’ disappear. All you find is awareness itself. When you’re distracted and your mind is filled with too many thoughts, it can be hard to… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Examine the Nature of Awareness
June 12, 2017
The Handless Maiden part 1: Deal with the Devil
Once there was a miller who had fallen into poverty. His mill was broken so he had to go to the forest to chop wood. One day, when he was hacking at a tree stump, an old man appeared and said, “I’ll make you rich if you give me what stands behind your mill.” The… Continue reading The Handless Maiden part 1: Deal with the Devil
June 9, 2017
Buddhist Writing Prompt: See Everything as a Dream
See Everything as a Dream is about seeing that life is impermanent and always changing so you can’t pin reality down or control it. Trying to do so will cause problems so the only sensible response is to let go and go with the flow of life. When paying the bills and dealing with the… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: See Everything as a Dream
June 8, 2017
The Handless Maiden (complete story)
There are many versions of The Handless Maiden from around the world. It’s a fairy tale that was collected by the Brothers Grimm in 1812, but its roots are much older. This telling is my adaptation of the tale with gratitude to Clarissa Pinkola Estes. Read the introduction to this series here or follow the… Continue reading The Handless Maiden (complete story)
June 5, 2017
The Handless Maiden: Healing a Dark Night of the Soul
The Handless Maiden is a myth that speaks powerfully to our dark and confusing times. It’s a fairy tale that was collected by the Brothers Grimm in 1812, but its roots are much older. The story is about a maiden whose father sells her to the devil in exchange for wealth and convenience. Her hands… Continue reading The Handless Maiden: Healing a Dark Night of the Soul
June 2, 2017
Buddhist Writing Prompt: First, Remember the Basics
First, Remember the Basics is about the intention behind everything you do, and in mind training practice is related to the basic facts of life that you can’t avoid. These are: life, death, karma, and suffering. How you feel about these basic facts will determine everything else in your life. For your writing to have… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: First, Remember the Basics
May 29, 2017
Free Your Pen now available in paperback!
Good news! My latest book is now available as a shiny new paperback! Discover the secret to mastering your thoughts and get your mind to behave itself so you can get some writing done. Here’s the inevitable blurb: Free Your Pen: Mind Training for Writers 59 Slogans to Cure Writer’s Block & Free Your Voice… Continue reading Free Your Pen now available in paperback!
May 25, 2017
Prometheus: the Alchemy of Space Aliens – Part 2
In part 1 we looked at how Prometheus can be interpreted as a gnostic creation myth and met some of the characters. In this post we’ll look at some of the other symbolism in the film, including the secret of immortality and the alchemy of creation. As always, EXPECT SPOILERS! Elizabeth Shaw is our moral… Continue reading Prometheus: the Alchemy of Space Aliens – Part 2
May 22, 2017
Prometheus: the Alchemy of Space Aliens – Part 1
As part of my occasional series on mystical and gnostic themes in film, I thought it would be a good time to tackle Prometheus, what with Alien: Covenant in cinemas as I write this. Prometheus is part of the franchise that began in 1979 with Alien, the classic horror film directed by Ridley Scott, and… Continue reading Prometheus: the Alchemy of Space Aliens – Part 1
May 15, 2017
Fantasy Reading List: 2001 – A Space Odyssey
What can I say about this book that hasn’t already been said? 2001: A Space Odyssey was written at the same time as the film was in development. Arthur C Clarke and Stanley Kubrick collaborated on the story, and the book was published after the film was released, although they differ in detail and in… Continue reading Fantasy Reading List: 2001 – A Space Odyssey
