writing to awaken
December 21, 2014 Comments Off on writing to awaken
I am pleased to announce that our new book, Writing to Awaken: Tanka Prose as Spiritual Self-Inquiry is finished. The ebook form is already available. The paper version will be available in a few days. I wrote Writing to Awaken to share and demonstrate our use of tanka prose as a mindfulness practice. Inspired by Basho’s Journey to the Deep North, in Writing to Awaken we explore our inner landscape. You will find some wonderful pieces by our own Esra Sarioglu and Nelima Gaokar as well as work by Valerie Rosenfeld, Allison Miller, Monika Furch, Jennifer Werner, Ellen Pratt and myself. Please enjoy. If you purchase a copy, we will be grateful if you take the time to write a review for us.
Leslie
a change of focus
June 26, 2014 Comments Off on a change of focus
As Inner Art Journal has grown, I’ve noticed two purposes developing side by side. One is the purpose of becoming an online journal with an interest in tanka and tanka prose. The other is the purpose of using tanka writing as a self-discovery tool. In many ways, these two foci are compatible. Where they differ is in the process of reviewing submissions. In the case of those who I know personally, and for whom tanka writing is already a practice, it is easy for me to see in their tanka the manifestation of their inner work. For those who I don’t know, the words alone must be clear, concise, deep and resonating. Many have sent in lovely work, and all work reflects the inner journey of the writer. Nevertheless, many submissions are not related to our stated purpose and have therefore been rejected.
At times, I have been tempted to engage writers in a dialogue, or invite him or her into our writing group, but aside from the words in the poem, and our reading of them, the relationships seem too tenuous.
After much thinking, I have decided to discontinue the publication of issues at regular times in favor of the periodic publication of individual works that exemplify the unfolding of self-discovery and perception. You are welcome to continue your submissions with this in mind. Works will be culled from Inner Art Journal for future print works. Of course, all writing by any individual writer is a demonstration of their awareness, publishing in Inner Art Journal will be the privilege of those who are self-consciously using poetry in this way.
If you would like to share your efforts, please submit by going to our submissions page. If you would like to understand more about our use of tanka writing for self-discovery, you are invited to take a look at our print book which is available on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Tanka-Practice-Leslie-Ihde-ebook/dp/B00C3395U8
Leslie
writing inner art
May 12, 2014 Comments Off on writing inner art
Our practice, as writers and beings seeking self-discovery, is to notice moments of insight and articulate those moments. It is difficult for unarticulated perception to be sustained. What distinguishes the writers that we choose to represent in Inner Art is their effort to achieve both beauty and clarity.
To advance our own practice, the editors, including myself, and several like-minded writers have developed a writing group. During this group we share our work, and explore the themes that emerge to advance both art and perception. Our international group functions quite well with some of us joining the meeting via Skype, while others are here in person.
At some future date, if there is enough interest, I will form a second Inner Art writing group. If you are interested, note that with your submissions and I will contact you as the group forms
Leslie
February 2014 submissions request
February 7, 2014 Comments Off on February 2014 submissions request
Our February issue of Inner Art Journal will be published at the end of February. Although it is a dark and cold time here in the northern hemisphere, inner art offers the light of perception. If you haven’t already done so, please submit your work at your earliest convenience. Click on “submissions” on the lefthand side of this page.
inner art journal 