the voice inside

pages 112 and 115, A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle

for a moment the voice inside
focusing soothing the words continued
wild adventures I intend to continue

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After I create a blackout poem, harvesting a message from an existing page of text, I linger in its message until it develops into an intention, a call to action for me. The prompts below are my invitation to myself to bring the lesson from the blackout poem into the way I intend to live today. I share them here in case the practice or the specific prompts are helpful and inspiring to you. Instructions for how to use this practice and generate your own prompts are at the bottom of each of my posts.

Morning Journal Prompt: During the demands of the day, remember to listen to the voice inside, maintain your focus, and soothe yourself as needed by returning to your inner voice—the one that knows the truest priorities of your values and intentions. Allow that voice—the words of your true nature—to continue throughout your day. Stay true to your vision and voice, even and especially when they don’t seem to align with the pace, the pressure, or the priorities of the spaces you occupy today. Intend to continue with what matters most to you.

Evening Journal Prompt: When did you turn to your voice inside today? How did that influence your presence and actions? If you did not, were there times you wished you had? How might you be more mindful of those opportunities in coming days? Review your day now and allow your inner voice to weigh in on what support or soothing reminders could you receive now to process the events of the day.

My personal reflection on this blackout poem: I have been trained as a spiritual director but have not been offering private sessions for direction for a couple of years. This poem reminded me that I do still practice much of the work in my own life—holding onto the mindful presence of the still small voice inside.

Blackout practice itself is an important part of this ongoing work for me. The way that I practice it is an integration of centuries-old monastic practices with the simple erasure poem practice.

After having a series of life-changing events that I could label in a variety of ways, I followed the path to engage in a three-year program to become a spiritual director. I needed to prioritize the values that support my essence. I needed to seep in the practices, to learn how to lead retreats, to help myself and others get in touch and stay in tune with something larger than ourselves. Over the ten years since I completed this training, I’ve come to understand for myself that I live most fully when I engage in the daily, sometimes hourly, practice of choosing the authority of my voice inside over the louder messages that come through all the external channels.

Sometimes it looks like closing my door and journaling for a few minutes after a conversation. Sometimes it looks like meditating for a few moments, focusing on my breath and the scent of my candle. Sometimes it looks like a blackout poetry, a painting, or a very simple question to myself, like “where is love in this moment?” or “what is the most connecting response I can have right now?” When I can slow down and listen, my essence knows what I need to ask, to hold, to let go of, or to remember. My days can be guided by my truest nature if I can remember to slow down and listen to the voice inside.

It has been my experience that when I lead with my essence, deep present love is what arises. It often feels simultaneously like the most enduring and important element to bring forward and simultaneously, the most far-fetched and silly way to be if judged through the lens of the time’s values and priorities.

It has taken a great deal of courage to show up with this essence—making leading with love a wild adventure and I intend to continue.

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For practice decks, cards, and groups, check out We Practice Life. We work together to put these resources into practice through the way we live, learn, and lead.

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Scroll down for instructions on making your own blackout poems and prompts.

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Monthly Online Blackout Poetry Group

We gather online at from 12 - 1:30p CT on the first Friday of each month to practice blackout poetry and share our insights, questions, and reflections (if we choose).

These practice groups are free. Sign up to receive the monthly newsletter with resources and the invitation to join each session.

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I currently get to support the public programming at The Jung Center in Houston as the Director of Curriculum. We host around 200 public programs each year. Check out our current event list. We curate a list of offerings that covers all levels of experience with a variety of programs.

Our mission is to support the development of greater self-awareness, creative expression, and psychological insight—individually, in relationships, and within the community. The Jung Center provides pathways to find deeper meaning in everyday life.

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Want to watch a short video on how to make blackout poetry using a phone app?

How to Practice Blackout Poetry as a Journal Prompt

• Select a page of descriptive fiction, non-fiction, or sacred text.
  Photograph, copy, or use an original page from a book.
  Spend a few moments centering and slowing down. Focus on breathing.

• Without judgement or analysis, scan the text. Which words or phrases draw more attention? Circle or underline them. Resist the urge to connect with the author’s meaning or purpose. Notice which words or phrases have a more energetic or emotional response.

• Read the words and phrases you selected. Can you relate to a general mood or message? Remove some words and add others to strengthen the message and give it flow and clarity. Keep the original intention of the message. In other words, don’t lose the point because you are trying to make it more academic or writerly.

• When you have the selection of words that support the message and enhance its meaning, you can;

  • decorate the page using art supplies or create a digital collage.

  • re-read the words and explore the meaning of the message. Set a timer for 2-3 minutes and free write in your journal about what this message means to you or why you think you were drawn to them right now.

Ordinary Life Presentation on August 11, 2024 on Blackout Poetry as a Spiritual Practice: Purpose, Process, Product. A 50 minute talk with the backstory, instructions, and tons of examples of blackout poems from my now completed project of blacking out every page of Braiding Sweetgrass.

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By SpiritualSpark · Launched in June of 2024

Using erasure poetry and Lectio Divina, I harvest words and phrases that connect me to my values and my voice.