Heartfulness: Writing Haikus in Class

Before coming to Stanford, I had never imagined spending a college class writing Haikus as a group. Growing up, I never heard much about Haikus.

Haiku's first originated in the 13th century in Japan and have a rich history. Haikus follow a 5-7-5 structure ( 5 syllables in the first line, 7 in the second line, 5 syllables in the third line).

In our Heartfulness class and Heartfulness fellowship meetings this month, I led group Haiku writing exercises:

I'll explain the instructions. We first divided into groups of 3:

One person writes the first line of the Haiku ( 5 syllables)

Another person would write the second one ( 7 syllables)

Another writes a third ( 5 syllables)

This month, I did not participate in the group Haiku writing despite facilitating the writing exercises. I, instead, watched happily.

In years past, when I have written group Haikus, I remember feeling so eager to see how our creative endeavor would grow together.

Because haikus are so short and artful in their simplicity; one line alteration could change the whole story and message. Writing Haikus as a group teaches you how to embrace the new, how to pivot in a metaphorical sense, and how to let go.

It is in its beautiful essence, group Haiku writing is such a mindful practice.

If you wrote the first line of the Haiku in the group exercise, you are invited to release your attachment to what you believed your Haiku would be. Let the Haiku evolve naturally in the hands of your collaborators. Embrace what the final Haiku ultimately becomes, together as a group.

Teaching Haiku in the classroom is just one of the many examples of how the Heartfulness curriculum blends centuries old cultural wisdom with neuroscience and psychology; both of which are only just beginning to understand and represent empirically values, stories, and experiences that have been shared amongst communities for ages.

Psychology, medical science, and Japanese cultural wisdom support the healing power of Haikus.

This study highlights how writing Haiku increases creativity and sensitivity. It can be a powerful and creative way to process negative life events and cultivate resilience.

Dr. Murphy-Shigematsu writes in his book From Mindfulness to Heartfulness about survivors of a great earthquake and tsunami healing through Haiku. Tsunami survivor Isao Sato writes:

“Bereft of belongings

Yet blessed by the touch of the

Early summer breeze."

In 2023, I began to develop a daily Haiku practice, where I reflect on my day in the form of a Haiku right before falling asleep. It feels like such a beautiful way to reflect upon my day.

Last week, while undergoing a brain MRI, I wrote Haikus in my mind to pass the time. I needed a place for my thoughts to wander while keeping my body painfully still ( as is required with such medical imaging).

I wrote ephemeral haikus, heroic and improvised. These haikus managed to comfort me amongst the loud clanging and banging of the machine.

When I told my partner that I wrote Haikus while in the MRI, I noticed I couldn't remember a single one... The words embraced me and then disappeared...

Suffice it to say, there is magic in the writing of Haikus, even ephemeral ones.

I'm still continually and joyfully surprised by the infinite wisdom in this Japanese cultural practice, how so much can be said so few words.

In the inconsistencies of life, the constantly changing tides, seasons, people, and world, it can feel profoundly difficult to embrace and accept the constant metamorphoses.The same way I find peace, clarity, and mindfulness anchoring into the steady rhythm of my breath, so do I find ground in the rhythm of Haiku.

The 5-7-5 has become a beloved friend. If this blog post moved you, I invite you try writing a Haiku. You can share it with me via the contact form on my website.

Writing Haiku in the Heartfulness curriculum is but one example of the many ways cultural practices are mixed with science and community.

I'll sign off with a Haiku:

Open your bright eyes

to see how words give such life

to our inner worlds

Gabriela