The Self Speaks: Jung, Taoism, and the Power of Automatic Writing

I recently finished reading The Secret of the Golden Flower, a centuries-old Taoist meditation guide that includes commentary from Carl Jung. What struck me wasn’t just the spiritual depth of the text but how closely its message aligned with something I’ve come to believe deeply. When we slow down, pay attention, and listen, something within us begins to speak.

Jung referred to this kind of communication as a form of automatic writing, where words surface without being consciously crafted. It’s a raw, honest expression from a deeper part of the self. Not meant to be perfect. Just true.

What Is Automatic Writing?

Automatic writing is the practice of sitting down with a blank page and letting your thoughts flow without interference. You don’t edit. You don’t judge. You just let it out.

In Taoist terms, this is about aligning with the natural movement of the mind once the noise dies down. Jung saw it as a way for the unconscious to reveal what’s going on beneath the surface. For him, this was not just a spiritual exercise it was psychological, even necessary for personal growth.

Why This Matters

Men, in particular, are rarely given space to process our inner worlds. We’re often expected to be decisive, clear, and always in control. But the truth is, most of us carry a lot under the surface—questions, doubts, pain, purpose—that never gets voiced. Writing like this becomes a release valve, a compass, and a mirror all at once.

This isn’t about being poetic or profound. It’s about getting honest. Letting the deeper voice speak without censorship. And the more you do it, the more that voice shows up with clarity.

How To Start

Here’s a simple way to try automatic writing tomorrow morning.

1. Set an intention tonight. Write something like, “Tomorrow I will let whatever needs to come through, come through.”
2. In the morning, before the noise begins, grab a journal or notebook. Sit in silence for 30 seconds. Breathe.
3. Set a timer for 10 minutes and begin writing. Don’t lift your pen. Don’t second-guess. Just go.
4. When the timer ends, pause. Reread if you want or just close the book and move into your day with a clearer mind.

It doesn’t need to be deep to be valuable. Even a few honest lines can shift your perspective and help you reconnect with what actually matters.

Not Sure Where To Begin?

If you’re curious about going deeper but unsure where to start, I’ve created a deck of journaling prompts called the 22 Gates. They’re designed to help guide this kind of writing practice, especially when you feel stuck or unsure what to explore. Each prompt centers on a different life theme—like purpose, courage, loss, resilience, and truth—and gives you a starting point for reflection.

👉 Check out the 22 Gates of Growth prompts here.

Writing in this way has helped me reconnect with my values, clear out the noise, and make space for something deeper to guide me. It’s not therapy. It’s not self-help. It’s just a simple, consistent way to stay grounded and honest in a world that constantly pulls us away from ourselves.

Try it tomorrow morning. Ten minutes. No agenda. Just you, a pen, and the page.

You might be surprised by what you find.