The Creative Process – Our True Nature.
This blog will begin a few writings on the creative process and our true nature. For many years, friends and colleagues commented on my creative abilities- I did not embrace those compliments as I could not see myself in that way. I thought of creativity as belonging to the fine arts and artists who devote their lives to that experience. As I pursued understanding our true nature, I was reminded of the biblical reference to being created in the image and likeness of the Creative Intelligence of the Universe – and I discovered my own wisdom on the matter and began to experience myself as a creative.
I also uncovered what I think is the process for creating anything – from writing a blog to playing an instrument – to preparing a fine meal. Over the next few weeks, I will share what I have discovered and how I think it plays out in people’s lives.
The first step in this exploration is to recognize there is a foundation to creation that is critical to any endeavor. In our emphasis on outcomes of the process, we can miss the foundation easily and wonder why our creation didn’t’ come to fruition, or if it did, why it was not satisfying. Around 1989, I took up knitting. I found a wonderful shop near my home, took lessons, joined a knitting group and dove in…I was often sitting at the table with expert knitters whose work looked like it could hang in MOMA. I almost gave up in the comparison of it all – but I found my foundation and that changed everything.
That foundation is Love. Its not love the personal kind – that comes from ego identification with an idea or concept. It’s the universal kind, where it is inclusive and vast and beyond our own “choosing”. More to the point, it chooses us. For me, that Love that expresses in knitting is through color. I love color- bright color, soft hues of color, bold contrasts of color…you name it – I love it. Folks often comment on the colors I am wearing, and it often shows up in the jewelry I choose…if I forget to choose based on color – I always feel something is missing. That Love of color in my knitting is what shows up first and foremost…and it makes the whole endeavor worthwhile for me.
When I started studying creative expression in others, I could always tell when it was coming from Love or not. Recently, I conversed with a friend who is hosting a group project. Her group is experiencing some challenges with crosstalk and feedback, and she was looking for ideas on how to handle. I could tell from the way she described her project that she loves it – loves the topic- loves the journey and doesn’t want anything to interfere with the grace of the experience. It is part of her true nature, and it is visible when you look closely.
The musical artist I chose for this blog, was someone I saw years ago on a trip to Hawaii. He played this same piece of music and it brought me to tears- I was moved by more than the words and the sound – I was moved by his Love which was very tangible. I hope you experience this foundation of the creative process as you listen – feel into it- look for ways it shows up in life for you as well.
Thank you Iz for your gift – he has since left us and gone to the light – but is still moving us with his Love, Enjoy
