On creativity and Spirit
The TED talk I posted previously with added discussions over said talk with others set off something really interesting in me - something I had forgotten I knew. It also sparked ideas for several posts about what's happening in my life at the moment, but I'll try and take one at a time.
One of the things this talk showed me is how central the concept of relationship with Divine Inspiration is to me. So central, in fact, that it is hard to imagine my life without it. This became evident in a conversation with my brother about the talk, which actually boiled down to something like this:
Me: She's talking about recognising that as an artist and creative you are not alone; that inspiration and creativity come from outside you as well as inside you, and there is an exchange of energy and relationship between you and the universe.
Him: You mean the kind of stuff we talked about growing up? Oh. But that's normal!
Indeed, normal. Which is dangerous - because it means it's easy for me to overlook, or discount as not being valuable. The concept that anyone (not just those who identify themselves as "artists" or "creatives") could, and should, have an inspirational spirit with whom they co-create. Who also shares that creation, and can therefore share in the result. It's something I am apparently quite passionate about defending. I believe divine inspiration happens all the time; somewhere in the world it's happening right now. But most of us fail to recognise the relationship - to the detriment of ourselves, and Spirit. For not only are we losing the benefit of that relationship, but Spirit is too. I'm not saying building and keep that that relationship isn't hard in "real life". There is tremendous pressure on creatives: to justify why they want to create, to prove that their creations are worthwhile, to handle the result/fallout of their success or failure, to do it all over again with another creation. Creation of any kind leaves one vulnerable. To create something is to give life to a vision, an intimate piece of your soul, a child of your spirit. To survive releasing that creation into the world where it will be examined, judged, broken apart and reconstructed, a creative needs to find ways to protect themselves*. Believing, and therefore knowing, that you are not alone, that the wellspring of that creativity comes not just from you but from Spirit also(call it what you will - a rose by any other name) shows honour and respect not only to Spirit, but to your ability to hear and communicate with it. And the strength of that relationship can help protect from the harsh analysis of the creation.
But what struck me afterwords is that it's not just co-creation of "art" that this relationship with Spirit teaches. It also teaches how to find the divine in the everyday. To appreciate the smell of fresh baked bread. To feel the richness of the earth as you dig the garden. To smell hot pavement as the rains come on a warm summer day. To share laughter with good friends. These moments carry within them a spark of that divine creation. And the more you investigate that relationship, the more you realise that you are creating each moment - breath by breath. And suddenly the world is full of beauty, and mystery, and intimacy....each interaction an exchange of energy and contact. A moment of creation. And all these moments, billions and billions of them, make up an everyday life. For someone who has been struggling to find the joy in simplicity, to truly appreciate what she has, it was a wakeup call. A reminder that my spirituality is a fundamental part of the way I live my life - not just for seasonal holidays or dramatic events, but how I eat my breakfast and face the day every morning.
I've not been very good at being aware of my spirituality recently - it's been a bit of a struggle with the current challenges we are facing. But somehow I feel that recognising and honouring that relationship and co-creation with Spirit is a damn fine start.
*This is a subject of another post: i.e. why I have struggled with identifying myself as a creative or an artist. TBC
One of the things this talk showed me is how central the concept of relationship with Divine Inspiration is to me. So central, in fact, that it is hard to imagine my life without it. This became evident in a conversation with my brother about the talk, which actually boiled down to something like this:
Me: She's talking about recognising that as an artist and creative you are not alone; that inspiration and creativity come from outside you as well as inside you, and there is an exchange of energy and relationship between you and the universe.
Him: You mean the kind of stuff we talked about growing up? Oh. But that's normal!
Indeed, normal. Which is dangerous - because it means it's easy for me to overlook, or discount as not being valuable. The concept that anyone (not just those who identify themselves as "artists" or "creatives") could, and should, have an inspirational spirit with whom they co-create. Who also shares that creation, and can therefore share in the result. It's something I am apparently quite passionate about defending. I believe divine inspiration happens all the time; somewhere in the world it's happening right now. But most of us fail to recognise the relationship - to the detriment of ourselves, and Spirit. For not only are we losing the benefit of that relationship, but Spirit is too. I'm not saying building and keep that that relationship isn't hard in "real life". There is tremendous pressure on creatives: to justify why they want to create, to prove that their creations are worthwhile, to handle the result/fallout of their success or failure, to do it all over again with another creation. Creation of any kind leaves one vulnerable. To create something is to give life to a vision, an intimate piece of your soul, a child of your spirit. To survive releasing that creation into the world where it will be examined, judged, broken apart and reconstructed, a creative needs to find ways to protect themselves*. Believing, and therefore knowing, that you are not alone, that the wellspring of that creativity comes not just from you but from Spirit also(call it what you will - a rose by any other name) shows honour and respect not only to Spirit, but to your ability to hear and communicate with it. And the strength of that relationship can help protect from the harsh analysis of the creation.
But what struck me afterwords is that it's not just co-creation of "art" that this relationship with Spirit teaches. It also teaches how to find the divine in the everyday. To appreciate the smell of fresh baked bread. To feel the richness of the earth as you dig the garden. To smell hot pavement as the rains come on a warm summer day. To share laughter with good friends. These moments carry within them a spark of that divine creation. And the more you investigate that relationship, the more you realise that you are creating each moment - breath by breath. And suddenly the world is full of beauty, and mystery, and intimacy....each interaction an exchange of energy and contact. A moment of creation. And all these moments, billions and billions of them, make up an everyday life. For someone who has been struggling to find the joy in simplicity, to truly appreciate what she has, it was a wakeup call. A reminder that my spirituality is a fundamental part of the way I live my life - not just for seasonal holidays or dramatic events, but how I eat my breakfast and face the day every morning.
I've not been very good at being aware of my spirituality recently - it's been a bit of a struggle with the current challenges we are facing. But somehow I feel that recognising and honouring that relationship and co-creation with Spirit is a damn fine start.
*This is a subject of another post: i.e. why I have struggled with identifying myself as a creative or an artist. TBC