Jason Howell asked Rae Meadows:

Hi Rae. I'm asking this question of several writers, some friends, some strangers... Do you consider your writing process a "spiritual" practice? If yes, what makes it so? If no, why not? What, in your mind, either qualifies or disqualifies writing as a spiritual practice? Please feel free to either share concrete personal views on this, or approach it as a concept apart from you. Or both. Thanks.

Rae Meadows Hi Jason,
That's such an interesting question and one that I had not thought about before. I do think when I am in the zone, which doesn't happen often, and the writing comes easily--the story spills out--there is a certain meditative quality to the experience. I could call it spiritual in a sense because it does feel like accessing something outside myself, as if I have tapped into some other consciousness. Though I admit most of the time there is so much effort that goes into my writing it feels like work. I am also a potter, and I can access this other-place mindset more easily with clay I think because it's more physical. I am not a religious person, and I do feel like both writing and making pots are outlets for interacting with life in a different way. I don't know if this answers your question exactly, but thanks for asking!

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