The Divine Imagination: Inward Bound

Silence

2012-01-14T09:27:00.000-05:00

Silence
by Emily Hanlon

Life is born of silence.

Without silence we could not
hear the song.
She is the life-giving womb,
the beat of the heart.
Worn like a crown,
she is a star-studded cape.

Worn in laughter, sorrow,
joy and pain,
she is Self.
Enter her womb,
there sound is born.

2011-11-28T17:24:00.000-05:00

As we go into the dark womb time of the earth, where dying is the promise of new life, I think of this by Goethe:

And so long as you haven’t experienced
This: to die and so to grow,
You are only a troubled guest
On the dark earth.

As I look my life from where I am right now,
this makes me feel.....

Please feel free to post your writings on the blog!

A Channeled TeleSeminar on Getting Your Life Together!

2011-10-02T14:49:00.000-04:00

A inspiring, Fun and Channeled Conversation with Emily and The Three Laughing Buddhas.

Over the past five years, I have also been channeling, mostly for myself, spirits who I have come to know as The Three Laughing Buddhas.

My relationship with The Three Laughing Buddhas began while I was walking my dog, Phoebe, in the woods. I was grumbling or arguing with myself when I suddenly heard laughter from within. It was a hearty, belly laugh sound and it sounded as if someone was laughing at me!

"Hey, what's so funny?" I demanded.

More laughter that brought with it the distinct impression I was being laughed at by fat Buddhas. Why fat Buddhas? To this day, I have no answer. But as time went on and they hung around me more and more, I began to call them the Three Laughing Buddhas.

For several years they popped up unnannounced, usually when I was having some unpleasant ego thought, or my inner critic was really down on me. They laughed at me; they laughed with me; most importantly, they taught me how to laugh at myself. I miss them when they aren't around. I always feel lighter when they are here.

More recently, they have taken on the job of offering me direct guidance, which means I am channeling them on a somewhat regular basis. They are directive and sometimes downright pushy. They challenge me, and my ego doesn't like that at all. Sometimes we argue and they tell me to stop using my mind and fall into my heart. Ultimately, it is their laughter that persuades me to give heart a chance.

They are my teachers, and I am grateful for their presence in my life.

On Wednesday, October 5th at 7:30 ET, I will be holding a teleSeminar during which I will channel their wisdom and their fun loving spirits.
This is a free TeleSeminar, but you do have to register. You will be sent a reminder as well as the teleSeminar call in number as we get closer to the date. Everyone who registers will receive a link to the audio on October 6.

Register
Read a transcript of a dialogue between Emily and The Three Laughing Buddhas

2011-09-06T18:27:00.000-04:00

Our monthly Sunday Creativity Circles have become a way to reconnect to the deep inner well of creativity. It is a place where we unveil and share our visions of Self to ourselves and to others. And you never know when your words, your voice, your way of holding space, might be the source of someone else's inspiration and growth.

In this four month Sunday Creativity Series, we will explore the wisdom, voice and journey of the deep, inner Self through sharing and writing. We will also use non-linear (ie: fun) techniques to access this inner Wisdom and see what in it challenges and delights us!
T
his series will complete with an all day mask making workshop on February 12. Space for the mask-making workshop is very limited and people who attend the Sunday Circle Series will have preference. (Cost not included in the 4 Sunday Circles.)

4 Circles: $95 Register

Per Circle: $35 Register

A minimum of 6 participants for 4 circles is needed to hold the series.

Letting Stillness Grow

2011-05-15T12:41:00.000-04:00

A few months ago I entered SIBYL Magazine's poetry contest and I am thrilled to share the results.

"Emily, although your written works did not place within the top four winning slots,
the editorial judges absolutely fell in loved with the pure-light and healing energy
your poetry emanated, namely in the poem entitled --- LETTING STILLNESS GROW

Our circle of judges were so impressed with this poem, they'd like to offer you
an opportunity to share a single piece of your originally written poetry inside each bimonthly
issue of the brand new, forthcoming literary spin-off publication of SIBYL Magazine entitled,
SIBELLA: Poetry & Artwork
To Heal the Soul and Inspire the Heart"

Letting Stillness Grow

I saw a sky as large as my heart

and I did not know
it was mine.

What wonders lie in stillness,
that evasive gift of life.
Is it fear of death, of nothingness
that keeps stillness at bay?
My thirst is great.

My skills are few,

but what skills might stillness

require?

Patience, for one.

Am I patient enough
and brave enough
to let my stillness grow?

Creativity and the Cosmic Shopping Mall

2011-03-13T09:52:00.001-04:00

Artwork by Rassouli

Being at home with your creativity and your creative unconscious is like walking into a cosmic shopping mall where each shop offers a different persona for us to try on, actually a different way of being in relationship to ourselves and the world. The only means of exchange in this cosmic mall is exuberance, fearlessness and a desire to share and be shared.

Oh, and there’s a key to the mall, too. We all have it in our pocket when we arrive, even if we don’t know it’s there. The key is a desire to break out of the box of who we think we are, who our families think we should be. It is a desire to fly in a place that, as John O’Donohue says, “is full of the most melodious and nourishing and wild freedom. And everyone should go there, to the wild place, where there are no cages, where there are no tight rooms without windows and without doors, everyone should go to the free clearance places in their own hearts.”

And so, with our keys, we enter the mall. There, in every window we see amazing costumes. Here there is a multi-colored cloak of the finest silks, feathers and gemstones. The price: a desire to shine. Here there is a hat that reaches the clouds and is made of glittering stars and moons floating in what seems to be space itself. The price: a desire to expand consciousness. There are shops with nothing but wings: dragon wings, fairy wings, butterfly wings, lace wings, velvet wings, silk wings in all colors known and unknown. The price: a desire to fly. The shops go on and on, for they are as cosmic as our creative potential. And what is even more amazing, is that just the perfect shops show themselves to you as you walk by.

I believe each time we return to this cosmic shopping mall, we find different shops… shops beyond persona, shops of beauty, depth and mystery that we weren’t ready to see when we first arrived. Our eyes and our hearts were not open enough. We were not ready to allow our spirits such freedom of expression and flight. But amazingly, as time passes and we integrate these new parts of self into who we are, we see that there was no shopping mall at all. That we never had to pick or choose – all that magnificence was inside us all along!

As creative women and men, we are at home in such mystery; we carry those rhythms, colors and songs inside ourselves. Once this becomes part of our consciousness, we are on a path from which there is no looking back.

Explore Emily's Creativity Coaching

The Jeweled Vision of the Heart

2011-02-17T11:46:00.000-05:00

Art by Daniel B. Holeman http://www.awakenvisions.com/

The inner journey is not for the faint of heart and it demands the bravery of the spiritual warriors who, as the 14th century Persian mystic, Haifiz, said, “tame the beasts in their pasts so that the knights hoofs can no longer break the jeweled vision in the heart.”

Imagine if we saw our journey through life as one that protected “the jeweled vision of the heart.”

Pause a moment before reading on. Pause but don’t let your mind try and make sense of Haifiz’s words. For the moment we try to grasp their meaning through the mind, we lose the enormous, erotic embrace of the journey Haifiz offers us. Rather open through the heart and fall into the immensity of its vision. “The warriors tame the beasts in their pasts so that the knights hoofs can no longer break the jeweled vision in the heart.”

The first time I came upon these words, I actually gasped. The affect was overwhelming. Yes! the part of me that yearns for connection, union and peace cried out. Yes! Yes! And then my mind kicked in. To what was I saying yes?

To what, indeed.

My heart replied. “To the soul’s yearning.”

My mind was unimpressed. I decided to go with my feelings and the images running riot within. The strongest of these was the sense of erotic coursing through Haifiz’s images.

This is why I use the word erotic when referring to the way we must embrace the heart journey, the inner journey that calls us passionately toward wholeness. The inner journey that seems an uphill battle in the face of the relentless call of the outer world, which claims to be the only reality. Why do I use the word erotic for such a journey? Because this journey of the spiritual warrior is nourished by a passionate love of life and demands a reclaiming of the love affair that life is meant to be.

It is (yet another) sad statement about our culture that erotic has been has become the territory of the XXX rated when the original meaning of Eros was passion for life.

The poet, Audrey Lorde, who examined the question of loving and the tremendous power of the erotic, saw it as a deep enlightening force within women's lives, a source of power and knowledge. She said, “I am erotic when I bake bread, when I make a table, when I write a poem or when I make love. Eros is the passion for life that we bring to our work, to all our relations. What a sick culture we are in when eros has become a naughty word but war is not a naughty word.”

Creativity, Risk and Ownership

2011-01-21T10:48:00.000-05:00

Pursuing our creative passions -- even admitting to them -- is often very risky business.

Will I make money from our creative pursuits?

Will I be seen as selfish?

Am I wasting my time?

Will I fail?

Will I find out I have no creativity?

These and the myriad of other fear-based questions that the mind comes up with to keep us from our creative passions are true enemies of our own happiness and growth.

Remember the thoughts that have been the jumping off point of this series on Happiness:

No one can make you unhappy without your consent.

No one can make you happy without your consent.

The same can be said about creativity.

No one can take away your creativity without your consent.

No one can give you creativity, make you feel and express your creativity without your consent.

YOU are the CEO of your life.

You are the light, the fire in the belly, the creativity, the joy, the happiness and the sorrow.

The choice is always yours. And it's not always an easy choice.

Here's a something to try when you are feeling uncreative and unhappy. Do this when you find yourself picking on yourself, judging and being generally mean to yourself:

Stop. Breath. Ask yourself, "Who is making me feel this way?"

Take responsibility for the feeling, even if you don't feel it's true. Stop chiding yourself. Instead, allow the aware part of you that has the ability to step outside the mind's negativity, to look upon the unhappy, suffering you with love and compassion.

Becoming comfortable with this aware self is an important step to claiming your creativity, your happiness and your true life's journey. When you do, you realize that not all of you is unhappy and feeling uncreative or inadequate.

Awareness makes clear that you are more than your mind.

Awareness has the loving, creative and ultimately freeing ability to separate from the mind's warped presentation of your life and your potential.

Awareness is always compassionate.

Awareness never judges.

Awareness offers perspective. And the first act of the perspective is to offer love and compassion to your suffering self.

Need to Be More Effective in Relationships? Interested in Being More Successful at Work? Like to Have a Smile on Your Face?

2011-01-16T16:29:00.000-05:00

If so, check out "Stop the World From Pushing You Around, Six Weeks to Solid Self-Confidence," an Assertiveness Training Telecourse starting Jan. 18th, 2011

This live course on the phone will be taught by a teacher of mine and dear friend, Dr. Doris Jeanette, a licensed psychologist with 34 years of experience teaching men and women how to be assertive. If you don't know Dr. Jeanette, read about her.

Doris is integrating into this series holistic psychology principles that include energy awareness, empathy training and emotional expression to the traditional assertiveness training material for her unquiet learning experience. The group energy will be fun, playful and empowering. You can explore this exciting, fun, international course at. http://www.blogger.com/goog_112571105

Six Weeks to Solid Self-Confidence," an Assertiveness Training Telecourse starting Jan. 18th, 2011.

Doris is a terrific teacher, filled with wisdom and energy!

Happiness, Laughter and Creativity

2011-01-10T08:45:00.000-05:00

I have to admit, I have a very, very serious side of me. All work, no fun... that sort of thing. And all too often, that side of me takes control of my life. It makes even my creative endeavors chores. It makes my life a big drag.

I'm pretty tired of that part of me, and it's why I am exploring happiness. Exploring it with a new-found passion that has opened a new entryways to enjoying life. I find I am feeling more creative and actually laughing more.

Oscar Wilde said, “Seriousness is the only refuge of the shallow.”

Hmm.... so much for the serious side getting the upper hand.
Better, to be able to laugh at ourselves -- on a daily basis.

Plus laughter is good for your brain, your mind and your creativity.

Read more »

Truths About Happiness

2011-01-07T13:19:00.000-05:00

The other day, I suggested you list three ways to nurture your happiness. Have you done that?

This morning, my husband and I talked about that very idea by exploring what had made us happy yesterday. This is not something we usually do and it was fascinating. The conversation that made us both more conscious of the happiness we had experienced that we hadn't taken note of and appreciated.

When he asked me what made me happy yesterday, the first thing that popped into my mind was the wonderful sessions I had with two of my writing students. I smiled, acknowledging in that moment how much teaching makes me happy. And I was happy all over again!

I also noted that I had missed taking Phoebe, my dog, for a walk. I didn't feel unhappy when I said that. One of our usual long walks in the woods simply wasn't possible yesterday, but I did feel the happiness that she and our walks do bring.

And then, laughing, I said I was happy I'd taken the time to make pasta sauce. I love the smell of the tomatoes, basil and garlic filling the kitchen -- and my dinner plate!

It was also a warm feeling to talk to my husband about the things that made us happy. It isn't something we had ever done in quite this way before. And we decided that creating a conscious awareness of happiness and how it flows through our lives is invaluable, and a happiness in and of itself.

Truths about Happiness:

Happiness is a choice. It's always available.
Happiness is never selfish.
We can never have too much happiness.
There's a very good chance that you have more happiness than you realize.
Awareness of happiness as a natural, easy energy basic to human life make happiness more available.

We often give too much air time to our miseries and misfortunes. Why not stop right now and consider your day thus far? Can you find any happiness that passed unnoticed? It might just make you feel happy all over again!

This is actually a very creative moment. Consider this: if you are having a terrible day, close your eyes and breathe. As you do, imagine happiness. Create it right now, in this moment. Breathe it in, let it fill you. Imagination is powerful . It is a gateway to happiness.

Are You Too Busy To Be Happy?

2011-01-06T11:52:00.000-05:00

Then your creativity is suffering, too!

Have you ever noticed how as soon as you wake up, you begin making choices. And the lists begin. Have to do this and this and this today....

Where in your list does your happiness and creativity appear?

Are the things that make you happy and feed your creativity the first to go?

Are you, the essential You, passed over in your daily list of what's important?

Sacrificing your Self to your busy "to do" list isn't a healthy choice. It drains you of happiness. Happy people have happiness to share!

List three things you can do every day to nurture your creativity and release the flow of happiness within you. They don't have to be time consuming. Small gifts count.

"One must ask children and birds how strawberries and cherries taste." ~ Goethe

Inner Vision and Creativity: Mediator Between the Worlds, Full Post

2011-01-03T18:30:00.000-05:00

Artwork by The Soul Connection Network.

How do you explore the mystery of you?
What does intuition have to do with creativity?
How can you give birth to the true Self whose visions of possibility and becoming are beyond the mind's horizons?

INNER VISION IS THE MEDIATOR BETWEEN THE WORLDS...

Creativity is a force that gathers its energy in the mysterious inner worlds and gradually moves toward definition and completion in the outer world. The problem, especially in Western culture, is that we are educated to focus on the outer world, which demands us to get it right, get it done and be successful! Read More

Creative success can not be determined by the outside world. If we focus on that "prize" we are very likely to miss the real success, which is internal, deeply personal and will, paradoxically, affect your relationship to others in the outer world, but rarely in ways we expect.

The question becomes how to turn our sights inward? How to trust the inner vision as our wise guide in the shadowy and chaotic inner landscape? This demands a leap of faith, which is why the metaphor of falling down the rabbit hole is such a good one.

Like Alice, we must hurl ourselves after the white rabbit knowing that once we enter the dark, the inner vision will flip on... like a switch... but we have to believe!

Our inner vision has very different abilities from our outer sight.

Our inner vision has no fear of the unknown.

Our inner vision can pierce the veils of mystery and magic and embrace paradox.

Our inner vision is a wandering pilgrim who knows that getting lost is being found.

Our inner vision is an explorer and imagineer of divine proportions!!!

Our inner vision is guiding light into our soul.

Happy New Year and Imagination!

2011-01-01T11:34:00.000-05:00

"No One Can Make You Happy Without Your Consent."

2010-12-30T09:59:00.003-05:00

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

I love this quote from Eleanor Roosevelt and, in fact, think of it often.

For our purposes, exploring happiness, we can paraphrase her this way:

"No one can make you unhappy without your consent."

and "No one can make you happy without your consent."

Pause a moment and ask your mind what it thinks about this observation. Don't censor the mind. Just let it have its say.

If your mind is like my mind, a list of people and events who have taken away your happiness might be the first thing that comes to mind. Your mind might say, "That *#@!$!! -- remember what he/she did to you that time. And does just about every time you're having a good time...."

Or you might remember an absolutely wonderful time when another's presence or connection gave you great happiness. Which is wonderful. No doubt about it. As human beings, we yearn for connection to others ― peaceful, exciting, creative, passionate, and challenging connections that ignite the liveliness of life and make us know in our depths that life is an immeasurable gift and we are more than we think we are. Experiences such as these happen not only with other human beings, but also with animals, nature and the Divine.

However, problems arise when we see others as the bestower of happiness and unhappiness. When we do this, we give away the power and majesty of our being, all the richness of growth and change. We give away ownership of our life.
Happiness is not a commodity that can be either given or stolen.

Nobody can steal our happiness without our consent and no one gives us happiness without our consent.

Agree? Disagree? What are your thoughts, your experiences? Comment and let the sharing grow!

Happiness Is Always In the Present

2010-12-26T12:21:00.000-05:00

The other day I was in a meeting with my husband and son about a business we have been developing for a very very long time. I was interested, listening, participating, and all of a sudden my mind took me to "fear."

My mind shouted, "This is the same old, same old!" "This business will never open!" "This so-called business is going to put us in the poor house."

Listening to my mind raging fear scenario, I wanted to explode. I was becoming furious. It was all I could do not to say something to my husband and son, something which would have been bitter and destructive. I didn't want to do that. And then I remembered "happiness."

"Stay present." Another voice inside of me said with a kind, nurturing and firm tone. "There is nothing wrong with this moment. Stay present."

I took a deep breath and opened my eyes to what was really going on: my husband and son avidly discussing the business. They were fully engaged. Having fun. Making progress.

"Stay present," the voice reminded me again. "Don't miss the show."

By simply being aware of what was happening within me, and being able to choose the wise, compassionate voice, happiness was once again possible. And the interplay felt enormously creative!

By repeating to myself, "Stay present", I was able to let go the fearful thoughts that had taken me to such a dark, cold place, a place made of nothing but smoke and mirrors. I thought, my mind's fear scenarios are the enemy of the present. Fear scenarios destroy happiness. I left the inner war zone and re-joined the conversation . It was fun, innovating and we made great progress.

Stay present is becoming my new mantra. It helps. It really does!!

What do you think?? What does my experience evoke in you?? Share....

In Search of Happiness, A TeleWorkshop, Jan. 6 and Jan. 20.

2010-12-20T12:25:00.000-05:00

The dates for this teleworkshop have changed. The first session is on Thursday, January 6 and the second on Thursday, January 20 at 7 pm ET.

The idea of finding true happiness can feel illusive. It's as if there is a subtext: "Don't get your hopes up."

The mind give us such a hard time over happiness. If everything isn't perfect, if we don't get what and whom we want, then happiness can slip through our fingers. This happens over small and large desires, and it can happen on a daily, often moment to moment basis.

However, even when happiness seems to disappear entirely, it's always near. It is our birthright.

...The diamond necklace that is already around your neck!

Could that be true of happiness? Dare we believe it is true? Why not believe it? You have nothing to lose... except your mind's distorted image of yourself and life, and the hunger for happiness that gnaws within you.

Deep, sustained happiness and simple, all pervasive happiness that bring equanimity and possibility are not impossible: impossibility is just a thought. Thoughts are powerful; negative, limiting thoughts suck away happiness, and for some, are addictive.

My favorite example of this comes from my personal experience.

I am walking in the woods on a beautiful day. The sky is blue. The sun is shining. The air is sweet. My dog trots happily ahead, tail held high and wagging. She is a definitely happy. So am I.

Without warning, a dark thought catches me up. A problem surfaces. A painful memory reaches out form the past and holds me in a deathlike grip. Happiness and beauty vanish. I am miserable, chastising myself for something that happened years ago! These thoughts become my reality.

The antidote, which is deceivingly simple and has taken me years of concentrated effort to master, is this:

As soon as I realize I am destroying my happiness with a painful memory that no longer has any affect on my life, I breathe deeply and open my eyes. The sun is still shining, the sky is still blue, the air still sweet and my dog's tail still wagging as she trots beside me. My mind quiets.

The diamond is still around my neck.

The possibilities for true happiness are limitless. This is true for me, for you and everyone.

The Format of the Workshop:

You will quiet your mind, invite it to take a nice, long nap!
In the silence of the quiet mind, you will uncover small happiness's that the mind has overlooked.
You will explore where and how small happiness's have already taken root within you.
You will uncover ways to fertilize and nurture small happiness's that are the diamonds around your neck.

I expect that each participant will have her own views, experiences and issues with "The Search for Happiness." The workshop will flow, wherever it may go, along the banks carved out by our collective views, experiences and issues related to happiness. My vision is that our relationships to happiness and to ourselves will change as we journey together.

Since I am moving the workshop from December to January, I thought it would be interesting, challenging, inspiring and fun to explore The Search for Happiness here on the blog. On the coming days and weeks, I will be posting thoughts, questions, experiences that I hope will elicit comments, responses and writings from you.

Please join in the discussion on the blog and to begin the journey, subscribe to the blog via email.

In Search of Happiness TeleWorkshop, Jan. 6 and 20, 7 pm ET.

$90. Register here....

In Search of Happiness, A TeleWorkshop

2010-12-06T09:35:00.000-05:00

We all have “happiness” definitions and equations.

Happiness is __________
I will find happiness when __________
I will never find true happiness because ________
To be happy I need __________

Our responses to these questions often reflect the imprints made on our young sensibilities by attitudes, beliefs and stories we learned from the adult in our childhood. These influence both our conscious and unconscious attitudes towards happiness. Some may be positive... many other may create obstacles to happiness... Continue...

An Interview With Celtic Poet and Celtic Mystic, John O'Donohue

2010-11-29T11:21:00.002-05:00

Here is a moving and inspiring interview by Krista Tippett, (On Being, an NPR Program.) with the poet and Celtic mystic, John O'Donohue, whom I adore.
His work has touched me on the deepest levels and changed my understanding of spirit and the inner journey.
Highly recommended!

http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2010/inner-landscape/

On the Edge

2010-11-28T21:41:00.000-05:00

In emptiness my heart is still,
waiting on the precipice of desire.
For what?
To fill?
To love?
To feel life trembling into tenderness
waiting, on the edge of desire.

The Archetype of the Fool and Creativity

2010-10-22T12:11:00.002-04:00

Please click above to explore the archetype of the Fool and how it supports creativity!

On This Adventure Called Life: A TeleSeminar, April 15

2010-04-04T15:40:00.002-04:00

Session 1: Water as a Metaphor for Conscious Living
April 15, 7:30 ET

Water flows in the path of least resistance. This is not a sign of weakness. On the contrary, water is one of the most powerful forces on earth. Water flows around, over and under. With the patience of the seasons, water carves its way through mountains. Water falls from great heights with nary a thought. It sparkles in sunlight and whispers to the soul on a moonlit night. Water is serene and violent, clear and murky, shallow and deep. All this without regrets.

This is the nature of water.
Water is true to its nature.

What might your life look like if you did not fight against the natural currents and rhythms of your true nature? How might your life change? In this teleseminar, we will explore how the nature of water can be our teacher and a guide to living a conscious and adventure filled life.

Thursday, April 15, 7:30 eastern time.
TeleSeminars run 75 minutes.

Can't make the TeleSeminar? No problem.
You will receive a download within 24 hours, or you can order a CD.

TeleSeminar with Audio Download: $20
TeleSeminar with a CD: $30

Register

Right Brain and Left Brain Dominance in Creativity: What does it mean?

2010-02-14T14:52:00.002-05:00

A Message from Emily and Creative Soul Works

Over the past thirty years, I have worked as a writing coach with hundreds of women and men. Their journey with their writing led them to viscerally experience the creative process as a template for a living a more fulfilling, aware and meaningful life. This became the wellspring for Creative Soul Works. Here I work not only with writers, but also with people who sense the call of creativity and the spiritual journey. When relating to creativity, most people fall into three categories:

Explore these categories at: http://www.creativesoulworks.com/right_brain_left_brain_creativity.htm

The Cycles of Creativity

2010-02-06T12:37:00.003-05:00

by Emily Hanlon

Although at its core, creativity is a mystery, the creative process is knowable, and we can use it as a template for living a more fulfilling, aware, meaningful life. If allowed, the cycles of creativity become the enduring flow of our lives, bringing with them the freedom to live life sourced from your passions instead of your fears – from your life’s true purpose rather than from your ego’s vision of security and prosperity.

The Spark of Inspiration
The initial spark of inspiration is creativity’s calling card. It can be an idea for a poem, sculpture, dance or concerto, a new garden, business or invention, a Halloween costume, a party or a gift; it can be a vision of you in a new relationship to others and to Self. Inspiration is non-verbal; it is the life-enhancing “Wow!” moment when the vision of what can be –of who you can be – carries you into unchartered territory and the land of possibility.

The land of possibility is the womb of creativity; it is here that you swim on the sea of the unconscious; your spark of inspiration is thrust about by the surging waves of the chaos. This land is not unknown to you. In fact, you visit it every night in your dreams. What sometimes makes it a nightmare is that your mind cannot make sense of this non-verbal world. Which is why mind – with its language, thought and need to analyze – should not be allowed entry into the early stages of the creative process. The mind is also home of the ego, that busy-body who will surely bully his way in and put your spark of creativity under the microscope of judgment! Now, you feel confused. The image that made glorious sense a minute ago feels muddy, vague and stupid – just another one of your dumb ideas. Out it goes!

Gestation
That is why inspiration needs time to gestate unfettered in the unconscious, in the place of mystery, where there is only possibility, not definition....
To read the full article, go to:
http://www.creativesoulworks.com/index_creative_cycles_i-con.htm

Awakening Creativity, a new Video

2010-02-01T18:12:00.002-05:00

Check out a video based on my coaching at Selfgrowth.com.
It's called Awakening Creativity (in five minutes, no less!!)
Leave a comment or a question and I will respond!