For Experimenters: Automatic Writing

Today, I want to introduce you to a fascinating form of writing that has long been shrouded in mystery and debate. Automatic writing, also known as psychography, is based on our ability to let words appear on paper without consciously writing them. Many scientists and sceptics attribute it to the ideomotor effect, suggesting it reflects our own illusions. Automatic writing is entirely different from expressive writing, which is more beneficial, yet it remains an intriguing practice worth exploring.

The act of writing with closed eyes, without seeing what appears on the paper, was practiced as early as ancient China during the Song Dynasty by special mediums seeking to connect with and learn from spirits.

Simply put, automatic text does not come from the writer’s conscious thoughts. Instead, the writer’s hand moves across the page, leaving messages without them seeing or knowing what is being written. Sometimes, this happens in a trance-like state. More often, however, it is enough for the writer – fully conscious – to simply let their hand move freely without looking at the page.

In psychotherapy, automatic writing has been used since Freud as a tool for self-exploration, with particular attention given to the subconscious selection of words. It was also practiced by Pierre Janet in France and later by Morton Prince and Anita Muhl in America.

In spiritualism and the New Age movement, automatic writing is often used as a means of connecting with the souls of the deceased to receive inspiration and comfort. Such séances became extremely popular and widespread after World War I.

Many artists have experimented with automatic writing. William Butler Yeats, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, produced over 4,000 pages of automatic text. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle believed that he communicated with his deceased father through this method. These conversations were published in his book Pheneas Speaks. The Surrealists also began many of their works using automatism.

Why try automatic writing? First, to explore yourself in a fascinating way. Or perhaps to receive confirmation of something from a special, more mysterious part of yourself – or even from the universe. The answers that emerge are often surprising yet meaningful, following an unknown logic of their own.

Here are some recommendations if you decide to try automatic writing. To shift your focus from logical to intuitive thinking – from the left hemisphere of the brain to the right – place your pencil on the paper as if about to write something. Then, look away. Stare into the distance or close your eyes. How long you write varies depending on your experience and desire. It does not need to be lengthy or exhausting – you will instinctively know when to stop.

Words, sentences, or even entire paragraphs may appear. However, the text is often illegible, the writing may look chaotic, and sentences may be unfinished. Keep in mind that some parts of the text might be in different handwriting or even in a language unfamiliar to you. There may be symbols or drawings that hold no immediate meaning for you. Some people instantly sense the origin of the writing, while others do not. If this makes you feel uncomfortable, simply stop writing or delay reading the text.

And most importantly – have fun and experiment!