Creativity                   

"You don't have to change the world, simply change your mind about the world"

Art . . Transforms Life.

It's the only thing that can.

When we look at the creative process undertaken by all artists, inventors, scientist and "creative professions" - they have a common thread of what we can say is 4 primary stages of the process itself. These stages are dynamic, yet follow a sequence that produces a new, fresh and novel approach to a common held idea with a history of previous expressions.

Stages:

1- Preparation:  This is the initial and perhaps longest stage as it is the time when we become "exposed" to the general field that the creative process is engaged in. If I am a "painter" I must study painting, styles, techniques, genre' and a select group of painters to thoroughly to get an idea of what has "come before" in terms of historic or "already created ideas." I must also develop my skill at painting, establish my style, and gain a fundamental knowledge of my subject.

2- Incubation:  This is where I capture a basic idea and "sit with it" in a relaxed state of mind. I define the approach of my inquiry, which will begin shaping the expressive format. This is the stage where "Creative Tension" is established in what appears as "conflicting aspects" of it's essential nature as a kind of paradox. Instead of seeking to quickly resolve the conflict - which would be done with my "habitual" tendency or methods - I simply sit quietly with the conflicting state of my subject, allowing common ideas to pass by and empty my mind.

3- Creative Insight:  By sitting with an idea, and allowing all the immediate (usual) ideas to run through my mind - I create a kind of space for a brand new notion, approach or quality to emerge and become apparent as a form of "Insight." This insight is outside of my "habitual approach" and is not a repetition of what has been expressed previously by other artists. This insight comes as a sudden realization of a fresh approach to what may be a common subject. I then "capture" this insight and begin allowing it to expand, unfold or present itself to me.

4- Manifesting:   Once I recognize the nature of my insight - I "capture" it, hold it in my mind and begin bringing a clarity to it it that will lend itself to an "action" of some sort. I "create" it by defining it in form. I use it to in-form and shape a representation of the essential nature of the inspired notion that motivates it.

This same idea can be used in forming new paths of expression in your everyday life. When you are in a situation that normally would trigger a response (created internal conflict) do not indulge in your typical reaction - but simply allow it to run through your mind and realize what your "typical reaction" would be. Simply witness it without judging it or attempting to repress it. Allow all of the possible reactions to enter your mind as possible expressions to the emotion that has been activated in you. By doing this you will "exhaust" all of your previous, habitual methods of expressing yourself in response to a particular event or behavior. Once all the old, "known" tendencies are emptied out of your thoughts . . . . only then . . . can something new emerge. This usually comes by way of what is typically called an in-sight. Insights are inspired ideas that almost seem to be "given" to you, or downloaded into your mind instantaneously. This inspired insight will be a fresh way to respond to an old stimulus. In this moment . . if you chose to "act on" the inspired idea . . . you will express yourself in a brand new way, creating a new experience of yourself in relationship to others or your everyday circumstances.

True Creativity is bringing into form a new way of looking at something - or generating a brand new approach to a common held subject, idea, or genre'.

The most common mistake that artists make is they fail to understand the idea of "Creative Tension." This is where you hold an idea and allow all the habitual notions or variety of methods previously used to emerge and "run through them." To hold a conflicting idea in your mind without seeking to resolve it is what allows "insight" to emerge. If we become impatient and try to resolve the conflict quickly - we use our habitual perceptions and approaches to resolve it. In this - we get the same old thing.

Creative Tension can be thought of as being in the presence of a situation that would normally "trigger" a response from you, or create an urgency to do something . . . but instead you simply sit quietly and observe without feeling compelled to do anything as a result. Once we step outside of our habitual tendencies in response to a particular stimulus - a new perception can arise in place of the old tendency. But if, instead, I feel pressured to resolve the conflict - I will respond with the habitual emotional reaction that's being activated in me. This will simply repeat an old pattern. I will respond - express - the same idea over and over in the same way.

Inspired ideas - allow us to see something brand new in a common situation. They usually indicate a different meaning that creates a pathway of new behavior or expression. When we feel inspired, we feel passionate - excited. Intuitively we have a sensation of expanding and "rushing" forward into it. This is in a smaller sense, an experience of - bliss or euphoria. It's very pleasing to the mind and body!

Hopefully, we'll try to repeat it or do it more often as a result!   :)

A practice that will help you to develop your creative ability to see different possibilities is to practice looking at everything from at least 3-4 different perspectives. Notice that each perspective allows you to see something different, realize a different approach or possible action, interaction or path of expression.

Often the problem we have is we keep looking at things the same way . . over and over. Naturally we see the same thing . . over and over. One of the best ways to form a different perspective is to learn to ask yourself different questions. Instead of asking the same type of questions . . notice what they are, and place your attention on asking different types. Notice that as you do, you begin seeing different things, creating different meaning and responding in a different way. Meaning is context dependent - if we create a different context for something, a different meaning emerges. Take a common experience and place it in a different context - and create a new and varied version of it. Change the desired outcome, and your perspective will shift.

Throw out the rules: Just for the sake of experimenting, throw any rules you may be imposing about what you can or can't, what is right or wrong, good or bad, what others would think, and just play for a moment by walking into it and simply allowing your mind to explore the various possibilities, and see where they lead.

If you are aware of a limitation, such as a belief in something not being possible or not right, ask yourself, if this were possible, if it were okay . . .  what would it mean? How would it change the situation? What could I do if it were possible? Change the intention for doing something and watch how it changes the organization of the activity. Notice how it changes the way you look at it, value about it, or how you perceive it.

If I could see something different in this, what would it be?

Realizing that I don't have to agree or make a commitment to a "way of looking at it"  . . . . what could I see as a new possibility?

What might someone else see in this?

If I were in a different situation, with a different goal, how would I look at this?

If I started from a different "state of mind" or mood, how it would it change how I perceived it?

Setting a different Outcome:

Change the outcome for the situation, and notice that what you see changes accordingly.

Change the values being used to consider the situation, and actively implement a new set of values, and notice how it changes your approach.

Consciously choose a different perspective - (for it, if your normally against it) and see how it changes how you look at it or what you see in it.

Since the beginning of time artists, poets, writers, philosophers and scientists have sought out natural beauty in order to feel inspired towards creative work. One of the best ways to increase and stimulate your creative mood is by enhancing your environment. Whether it be your work environment, your home, or your office or studio. Create personal sanctuaries out of your work areas. This will enhance your ability to feel and think more creatively as well as allow you to enjoy the time you spend there more. The most stimulating thing for creativity - getting your juices flowing  - is to decorate with beautiful or interesting objects. Add colors that make you feel good and energize you. Surround yourself with your favorite things.

Pay attention to how you feel in rooms of different colors. Notice that there are some colors that you greatly prefer over others. Notice what type of decor you prefer. Certain types of decor really resonate with you, and when your in them, you really feel comfortable and "like" being there. Notice the difference a vase of fresh flowers can make in a room, or a basket of fruit! Notice the difference artwork makes in a room, and get a good feel for what type of art, or subject matter you most often prefer.

Play music not only as a main activity or focus point, but as background music to help create ambiance or the mood of whatever activity you are engaging in. Different types of music induce different states and lend themselves to different activities. Some enhance your ability to concentrate, some help you feel energized, while others are romantic and cause you to feel sexy or sensual.

Smells, fragrance and aromas bypass the cognitive aspect of the mind and have a direct influence on "mood." It's easy to notice your natural response to strong smells, and most of have a clear idea of what we perceive to be pleasant, pretty or pungent and fowl. Some smells energize, some help us focus & concentrate, some relax us, and some stimulate us. Some smells activate memories and produce an automatic response. Become aware of how you respond to various smells and intentionally introduce them in your environment to enhance your feeling state to help produce optimal experience.

Notice how you respond to various colors. We know that we can place colors in general categories, for example; red, orange, yellow, warm colors in general are "active" energizing colors. Whereas blues, greens, purples, are soothing and relaxing colors. Browns, tans, and various grays are grounding colors, and can actually feel depressing or low. White can be splashed with color for a crisp look, or can give a generic, sterile look. We all have favorite colors that we like best in certain environments. Just notice which colors are most appropriate for whatever you plan on doing in that room, and enhance it with those colors as well as complimentary colors.

Energy of Sound:

Sound carries with it an energetic vibration that can either directly create a mood, trigger a memory or enhance a state of mind. Music appeals to our creative nature in the sense that it usually stimulates our imagination in some form. Music can be used to enhance and intensify our experience. Instead of falling into the rut of only liking a certain type(s) of music, notice that different moods, or activities lend themselves to different types of music. Expand your ability to relate to different energetic vibrations as way of helping to intentionally create your state of mind and stimulate your creative abilities.

"All great discoveries are made by those whose feelings run ahead of their thinking."     CH Parkhurst

Expression, like various forms of creativity can be used positively- to uplift, instruct, inspire, bring beauty into the world- or negatively - to belittle, demoralize, tear down and even destroy. Expression takes many forms whether it's the spoken language, body language, a sermon, acting out in a state of emotional drama, any time an individual is active, or doing something, they are "expressing" themselves.

Humans express themselves every moment, through every feeling, thought, word, or the attitude they walk through life with, with the metaphors they use, what they reference as examples, the story they tell about things, about themselves . . every form of "action" is creative. Bringing an internal state into an external reality of some sort. All we are capable of doing is projecting our "self" onto our environment. Every thought, meaning, and perception is experience "through us" as us. Our models serve as filters used to perceive the world as something specific.

This day and age, the "age of communication" we have lost the art of "performing ideas" - transmitting information by developing skill at expressing it. Yet, it is the emotional quality of the information that provokes action, that motivates us to do something, to act based on the "feeling quality" of the information we have been given. This is the true art of "inspiring" people. To inspire is to take a standard goal or desired outcome, and perform it in a way that engages people emotionally in personally identifying with the goal in a way that compels them towards it, creating a desire in them to "do" something to make it come true. To act in a fashion that supports and creates a physical reality motivated by the "feeling quality" of the idea as it was communicated. We all seek to be apart of something that is greater than ourselves. The greater the emotional quality of the expression, the more clearly we relate to being apart of what's being expressed. If, by relating to it, I feel . . .  "courageous, powerful, able to serve, compassionate, caring, sexy, valuable" etc. - whatever the feeling, if it feels good, it will attract people who have that "desire" inside of them that is being provoked into reality by the emotional quality of my communication- which creates a path for expression. All great artist, communicators and leaders understand this.

To be a great artist, a great leader, you must stir people's desire, touch them inside with emotions that compel them into action. Not because they should or it's the right thing to do . . . but because they must! Creating and transferring emotion, creates a powerful desire to do something in others as a result of your performance. By activating the right "state of mind" you can not only influence people towards a common goal, but bring out peoples magnificence in the process. When people feel moved by something, usually the best part of them, the part that's passionate comes forth and becomes more apparent. This passionate "presence" is what performs the action or task. When people act out of passion, they own and harness their personal power to self actualize. When you have the ability to trigger this response in people intentionally you literally bring out the genius in common people, at will. What you see in them, and reflect back towards them, they will see in themselves. What we reflect we are projecting. When we become invested in the fun of exercising our power to bring out the best in other people, we simultaneously experience the best in ourselves. To empower others, is to experience yourself as powerful. In order to express it,  you have to have it.

To bring beauty into the world by expressing it, is to become a conduit for attracting it, a channel through which beauty can flow. Focusing your mind on drawing beauty to you, filling yourself up with it to the point of exploding into existence - you become the living, breathing expression "of" beauty. Your cup runneth over, as they say. It becomes your experience, as your common every day reality!  You are, by virtue of your nature . . . beautiful.

Commit to expressing it (purpose) and you will attract it (identity) when you receive it, you will have it to give (path) . . . . thus you will "become" the living embodiment of that which you are!  :) :0

Feel it . . . . Think it . . . say it . . . . make it real!

Linda Gadbois, Ph.D.(c) CHT, RMT

In my studio where I primarily do all my writing and painting . . . my major creative work, I set it up specifically to stimulate my creative mood. I love nature and natural elements, so I have a window full of orchids (I raise) and flowers. I have dried herbs hanging in bunches from the walls, as well as a long wall hanging of "stars" made out of branches. Intertwined in the stars I place miniature Tibetan prayer flags, butterflies and feathers that I find and gather on my daily walks. I have a stained glass chakra hanging and a large crystal hanging in the window which illuminates the room during certain times of the day with colors of the spectrum, a kind of rainbow. I play beautiful and provocative music when I paint, and classical music when I write or study. I place candles around the room and always have a flame burning under essential oils to fill the room with lifting and sensuous aromas. I have all my "art stuff" and a large wall that I use to create my "story boards" for whatever I am painting. I have a fairly large Buddha statue, and a small collection of butterflies on one wall, with a small collection of Native American healing Feathers used in "prayer ceremonies" and various "Dream Catchers" hanging various places around the room. I have a large Angel statue "ascending" in a state of Ecstasy. I consciously sit and meditate on a regular basis and inject "good" energy and feelings into the room, creating a kind of sanctuary . . . . I love being here and spending time here. Just walking into the room stimulates my creativity and automatically invokes a state-of-mind out of which . . . . I joyously create!

Make your home or private place your inner sanctuary. Your private place in the world where you feel totally at peace, comfortable and completely free to "BE" whoever you desire to be.

Instead of just walking blindly through life, constantly preoccupied, be present and really focus your mind on what you are sensing as a part of your common daily experience. Notice what's around you, the mood, ambiance, the lighting effects on the landscape. Study the expression on a strangers face as they perform an arduous task. Watch a child as they do something for the first time. Sit in a park, and close your eyes and just listen to the sounds, and smell the air. Meditate by using music and completely embody the feeling of the music and allow your imagination to tell a story about it - like the music used in the background of a movie. See what story the music lends itself to, what "type" of story it naturally tells in your imagination.

Pretend and playact that your somebody your not, or bring a different attitude and way of being to something you do on a regular basis and notice how it changes your experience. Take a subject where you normally demonstrate a serious attitude and serious "meaning" - and instead make a joke out of it - be playful with it, or make it out to be irrelevant - and notice how you do it, and the difference in how you are being and how you sense yourself as a result.

Change your energy - if you tend to be solemn and "laid back" take on being bubbly, enthusiastic and "fun" instead, and notice how it changes your experience. If you tend to talk fast, make it a point to reflect and change your tempo, talk slow and put thought into everything that you say, and hesitate as you speak . . . notice how you feel as a result. Comb your hair a different way, or wear something you normally never wear - and notice how you sense yourself as a result. Open your mind to self-exploration! Create new experiences . .  . . just because you can!

The mind gathers and processes sensory information to create experience. All stimulus is sensory. You can use your senses to intensify or alter the experience you are having. By focusing your mind on enhancing visual perception, things seem more beautiful, colors become richer and more enticing. By listening intently to music, and allowing your body to feel it, noticing the internal vibration of it, you increase your enjoyment of it. By drinking wine with meals, it changes the environment of your palette so that each bite of food is like a new and fresh experience of the same flavor.

To increase enjoyment of something focus your mind on what you like about it, enrich it by focusing on the details of shapes, color, lines, shadows, change the tone of your internal dialogue as you discuss it with yourself, and enhance the sounds in a way that serves your desire. Pick a feeling to "bring to" the experience and use to color it and shape - make it "about" the feeling you desire.

Come to your senses

Pick a different "sense" (seeing, hearing, feeling, touching, smelling, tasting) everyday and consciously make it a point to experience that sense throughout the day. If you pick smell for example: Make it a point to notice smells throughout your day, and stop and actually smell things, your food before you eat it, the paper you are writing on, the ink from your pen, flowers you walk by or are displayed in a vase, the puppy that's kissing you, etc.) As you walk outside - smell the air and notice how it makes you feel. Smell all the colors you see! Smell your own skin . . . then smell someone else's skin! By invitation, of course!! :)

e-mail:   linda@creativetransformations.com