Five Spiritual Secrets to Inspired and Enhanced Creativity

Written by Manny |

Creativity is a remarkable force that forever changes the life of the artist, and in many ways shapes all of our lives, individually and culturally. A beautiful work of creativity has the ability to cut right through our inner barriers and open our hearts and minds to compassion, curiosity, love, to new perspectives on our lives. The inspirational sounds, incredible visuals and humanitarian messages delivered through all forms of art have really contributed so much to our evolution of self, culture and technology.

So what are some of the secrets to creativity? How can we unleash and make the most of our own creative abilities? How can we break out of isolation and writers block and inspire people through our art?

Here are five very powerful, effective and life-changing principles for artists and creative explorers to get from where they are to where they want to be - in the zone. This article is perfectly suitable for advanced artists and beginners alike.

1) Be Authentic

Whenever you engage with writing, painting, composing or performing music, reflect for a moment on why it is that you are doing so. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, allow your mind to conjure up memories, imaginations or ideas that are inspiring or emotionally engaging to you. Whether you are feeling empowered, inspired, hurt, in love, confused or angry, spending some moments 'attuning' to those feelings can really activate the infinite well of creativity within you, and allow it to pour out genuinely and effortlessly. Try to let go of worrying about what other people will think of your work while you're in the creative process. Just zoom deeper and deeper into your own authentic subjective experience and give it everything that you have. Sometimes we have to face our shadows, or even go beyond the threshold of what we know of ourselves to produce a creative work that will stand the test of time.

If you are still struggling to get real and authentic with your creative process, it may be time to question your underlying motivation for the creativity in the first place. Is this a way for you to express your honest feelings, fears, ideas, inspirations, and joys, or are you in the emulation game: replicating other people’s ideas, trying to fit in to a conventional box, pleasing others and leaving out the true spark of your inner creative energy? That may sound like a harsh question, but the end result speaks for itself. People have an ever-sharpening bullshit detector these days, and if you aren't doing whatever you are doing from the heart, people will really pick up on that. Keep it real and from the heart and you can't go wrong.

2) Break through the boundaries

Writers block (creative block in this case) usually occurs when we are caught in an uninspired, narrow, over analytical, rigid and imbalanced mindset in day-to-day life. When you are trying to force the creative process, driven by thoughts like “This is what I should be doing. This is what I’ve got to do. I have to get this done.” you will increase the chances of creative block. Trying to force creative output while stuck in a irritable state of mind isn’t a wise place to start. It was Einstein who said that "You can never solve a problem on the level on which it was created."

By changing our inner state, we can move beyond the aggitation of creative block and attune ourselves to a more resourceful and fluid state of mind. To break out of the state we're in, making an immediate change in our physiology, focus and language will enable us to successfully shift from aggitation to inspiration.

All inner states are transient, and we need not be a slave to the way we feel as if it is happening to us without any degree of choice. We can consciously direct the way that we feel, think and generally operate by changing our thoughts, feeling, perceptions through a multitude of different exercises, visualisations, and other activities. Try exploring these following exercises:

Physiology -

Stand up tall, pull your shoulders back, take a few long, deep breaths in through the nose, expanding your stomach on the in-breath, and letting go completely on the out-breath. Do some stretches. Shake your whole body out. Put some music on and dance for a little while. Do some star jumps, shadow boxing, or go for a walk!

Focus -

What are you focusing on? The end result of what you’re wanting to create in all it’s magnificence, or the fact that you’re so freaking irritated and blocked? Sit down, breathe, tense all the muscles in your body and release, until you’re in a physically relaxed state. Now visualize or ‘feel’ yourself having achieved the end result. See your work in it’s final form. Just gently allow yourself to witness the results you want from this––wether you are handing over a work of art to a high-paying customer, signing a contract with a record label, performing to a sold out crowd, or just being fulfilled by your own work. Then remember and focus on the reason why you make this art in the first place. Maybe you’re in it to contribute to the world, or to inspire people, or to make heaps of new friends, or make good money to support your loving family. Keep your focus clear and true and remember why you are doing this.

Language -

What kind of things do you say to yourself and others about your creativity on a day to day basis? Are you focusing on the authentic expressions of your inner self, or stuck thinking and talking about the difficulties, imperfections and blockages? Make a conscious effort to use empowering language internally and externally. You could also practice some empowering affirmations that feel right for you. The way we think has such a profound effect on all levels of our life experience––how about affirming “I am a genius and I apply my wisdom” or “Within me is a deep and limitless well of creativity. I am incredibly resourceful and fluid with my creative expression.” Find or create some empowering affirmations that really resonate with you. At first it may feel stupid, uncomfortable and foolish, but there is a conditioning effect to our thoughts––the more you focus and practice something, the more natural, effortless and integrated it will become––and we, in turn, become what we think. Don’t forget the old adage “What we think, we become. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.” - the Buddha.

3) Get out of your own way

Many of the greatest artists who’ve graced the planet claim that their best work comes through them and not from them. How could such a thing happen? Well mostly it comes from the act of letting go and surrendering the analytical mind and it’s nagging, clunky interferences. This involves attuning to deeper or altered states of consciousness. Relax, this doesn’t necessarily have to be some mystical or trippy kind of experience at all––but a moving into a more centered, focused state where there are no conscious boundaries between yourself and the instrument, the pen, the dance, the computer, or whatever your vehicle of expression is. We are talking about a sort of creative unison, where mind, body and the creative vehicle work together in uninterrupted harmony. That doesn’t mean that there won’t be little mistakes and ideas that aren’t worth keeping, but it does mean that you won’t get all hung up or disheartened by them––you just move freely from process to process. This is soooo Zen.

There are many techniques that help you to attune to deeper states, and there is such a vast spectrum of states that we can tap into––all of which can illuminate your creative life in many ways.

Smoke pot? -

This is what so many musicians and artists do to get themselves into this ‘creative unison state’. The problem is that medium to long term marijuana usage usually has the opposite effect of what it starts off doing. At first mind, body, and creativity are 'one', but eventually (in many but not all cases) the mind feels scattered, fragmented, frustrated and annoyed. It’s almost as if there’s a fuzzy wet blanket thrown over the creative part of the mind. So, if you are going to smoke pot long term, you’ll quite possibly continue to do it regardless. I would just recommend that you really observe the states that you get into, and ask yourself “How can I simulate this state naturally?”

Drugs are not the experience in themselves, they simply bring out the states that are already naturally inside you. A master learns with time that she has access to the entire spectrum of human consciousness inside of her and can harness these experiences from within.

Breathwork -

Deep, rhythmic, diaphragmatic breathing is a perfect way to train yourself to let go and find your creative unison. There are many different methods and models of breathwork out there, so find one that works for you. It can not be underestimated how powerful correct breathing practices can be. Breath is the very foundation of meditative practices, and any accomplished meditator will explain to you that the benefits of meditation far outweigh the brief and transitory effects of drugs––and that these natural practices leave us feeling vital, alive and present, not empty and irritable.

Meditation and other spiritual practices -

Meditation is all about disengaging with your analytical mind, letting go and sinking into one of many deeper states of consciousness within the psyche. You can experience anything from a sense of deep mind-body relaxation, to very visual, colorful dream-like experiences, to a total sense of oneness with all that is––a no boundary, no separate identity, simply-one-with-everything, formless awareness. You can’t actually make art and music while you’re in these states (because you are either sitting still in a sitting pose or lying down) but when you return back to earth, don’t get up and rush, just keep breathing, make sure all your creative materials are ready, and just get into the creative process. Meditators claim that after coming back from these experiences, their minds are full of creativity, insight and epiphany––so what better time to do your art!?

Weight training and Cardio -

I bet you didn’t expect to hear this one! But let’s break out of the stereotypes and look a little into weight training. Ask any bodybuilder about the changes in his interior states after he or she took up weight training, and you'll be pleasantly surprised. I’ll share with you the top five consistent answers I’ve gotten from the people I’ve asked.

Mental focus - Being able to focus on a task for long periods of time. Feeling a sense of unison between mind and body.

Clarity - Decreased mental irritability––increased consciousness. Feeling clear, present, awake, alive.

Enthusiasm - With all that extra muscular strength, the body-mind is full of vitality and ready to jump into some action. Remove distractions from the environment and start your engines. Put some muscle into your creativity!

More balanced emotions - Feeling more centered throughout the day, less controlled by oscillations of high and low emotions. More able to objectively look at self, and express emotions in a healthy way.

Feeling really grounded - Down to earth, embracing the day, accepting life as it is, not lost so much in the future or the past. Another interesting point on Weight training is that it really supports the mind and body to be able to meditate for longer periods of time, without physical, mental and emotional discomfort and interference. The same applies to making music or art––it just helps to keep you present, grounded and in the flow with what you’re doing. Weight training is the also a perfect preparation for meditation.

With Cardio, well we all know that feeling you get after a good long session of walking, running, cycling or swimming. It all helps with the creative process.

Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Yoga -

All of these physical and qi/chi (subtle energy) practices serve to create more balance, harmony and creative flow within our everyday lives. Yoga takes a lot of mental focus and self surrender (ideal for letting go and getting into creative unison), as most people aren’t used to just sitting in the same posture focusing on just that, for minutes to hours at a time. Tai Chi and Qi Gong are very good at increasing the flow of vitality through the body and mind. All of these exercises work hand in hand with weight training, creativity and meditation.

4) Diversify your life

Don’t get stuck in the narrow box of thinking “I’m an artist, I’m just gonna sit at home all day everyday and wrestle with my creative block until I create something beautiful.” You will feel much more inspired if you are leading a diverse, balanced, integrally informed life. Integrally informed doesn’t mean that you have to go out there and master every area of life and knowledge, but means that you have a healthy awareness of all the different areas of life in self, nature, culture, and don’t allow any one area to get unhealthy or pathological to the point that it throws your life way out of balance. Just say you live as an artist on a daily basis, but have a nagging insecurity around being intellectually or logically inept. Instead of letting it run you, start reading more, attend some lectures, do some courses, play some I.Q games––whatever brings enough balance to this part of your life until it is stable. The point with all of this is that your creative output is going to be more productive and more inspiring if your life is in balance and you are feeling inspired.

Leading a diverse life:

Think about what’s available to you within your community and regional area. Parks, beaches, cinemas, shopping centers, waterfalls, bushwalking tracks, night-life, gyms, meet-up groups, international students and backpackers, language swaps, parties? Think about all the possible things you can do within your community. Don’t try to find time, but make time to go out and interact with people, get back into nature, enjoy the culture, get fit and active, whatever works for you. If you have the money, go and do some travel. Take your work with you if possible!

Flooding yourself with rich and diverse experiences will bring more vitality and creativity in your life. Although sticking to the comfortable zone meets the important human need of certainty (and we all need some certainty and structure in our lives), the act of diversifying your life meets the needs of uncertainty/variety and growth––and when you are growing, there’s so much more within you to express creatively.

5) Creativity with a cause

What’s your cause? -

Everybody is unique, and we are all drawn to our own unique callings in life. It is often said that growth and contribution are the highest callings of the soul––that the greatest fulfillment in life comes from doing what you love in a way that serves and inspires others. And yes, making a rewarding income from doing that is a wonderful thing!

Creativity can enhance your life and the lives of others in whichever way you choose––it can be purely for self fulfillment, for the community, for the nation, or for the world at large. There are no rights and wrongs in your life choices, so just do what gives you the most shivers and goosebumps! You may want to be a creative director or marketing guru for an organisation like Amnesty international. You may want to be an Art Therapist for children who are sick or in need. A musician who composes songs specifically to uplift, inspire and reach the hearts of people who are hurting. Or a street artist that enhances the lives of thousands of passers-by on a daily basis. There are no limits to what you can do with your creativity.

Is it something that you would love to make a living out of, or would you prefer not to mix business with pleasure? If you want to contribute creatively on a large scale, without making profit from it, that’s fine, as long as you have another career or financial source to empower you to do so.

There’s nothing worse than trying to change the world when we are impoverished––it’s like being stuck on one of those running wheels for mice. We expend a hell of a lot of energy, but don’t cover a lot of actual distance. It’s really important to look after, love and empower ourselves instead of just trying to change the world at our own expense.

People management and leadership -

Musicians will be the first to tell you how difficult it can be to find people who share the same vision and love for music as you, that are actually compatible to start a band with. But being a one-man-band is almost impossible in the music industry, because if you want to go the whole way, you’re going to have to work with producers, engineers, live performers and so on––and do you really want to be doing everything yourself, or are you protecting yourself from the chaos that comes with poor working relationships and unreliable musicians? The point here is that if you are inspired from within to go out and contribute to the world through your art, you will need to work with other people to do so. Even as a solo visual artist, you would need to work with promotors, agents, managers and so on. So, learning some important principles on communication, people management, and leadership is a great advantage to have. Between inspiring yourself and inspiring your audience, there’s the task of inspiring, leading and managing all the people who will bridge that gap between yourself and the audience. Don’t get up on your high horse and burn those bridges, these people are worth respecting and cherishing.

Vision -

Be sure to reflect and write down plans and statements of intent that crystalize your vision and enable your inner guidance to keep navigating you towards your dream destinations. Attend Dr John Demartini’s “The Breakthrough Experience” or Tony Robbins’ “Date with destiny”––these seminars will teach you how to break through inner obstacles, align with your highest values, and go out and do what you love with vitality and gusto. Also, check out our consulting services, as we specialise in assisting you in these processes of transformation.

Conclusion

If you're feeling stuck or uninspired, or simply want to take your creativity to a new level, put some of these ideas into action and see how they work for you. The career and lifestyle artist is certainly not an easy one. There are many trials, tribulations and uncertainties that come with this path in life. This is why we simply cannot underestimate the power of inspiration, leadership, self education, and radiant health in everyday life. Be clear on your direction, set clear, realistic and congruent goals that are aligned with your highest values. Take action steps every day. If you start something, or say that you are going to do something, complete it. Don’t beat yourself up for imperfections, just be true to you and go for it!

If you would love some one on one assistance with bringing these great principles to life, why not consider our consulting services? We can help you to dissolve the barriers between you and your greatest creative genius, or train you in a range of practices that bring you out of writers block and into a state of daily inspiration and focus. Click here to explore our consulting services.