Cultivating Creativity and Connection
The path to joy and togetherness
Having this blog allows my mind to become even more creative I’ve found, knowing I have a regular outlet. A reflection or an idea will magically pop into my head and I see a possibility to get into that all-encompassing flow state and allow the words to come through, exploring whatever topic has tickled my fancy of the moment.
Recently I have been in a rather prolific period of musical creativity, with seven new songs emerging in a short space of time, each one distinct from the next, telling a facade of a recent challenging period in my life which has led to great transformation. With two of the songs in particular, I found myself struggling to sing the melodies at first. They were rather complex and nuanced, not having much repetition in them, or so it seemed at first. So, each line required a unique elaboration and construction. With each one, I resisted going into the egoic mind which longs to plan and use the wonderful logic we have been blessed with. I wanted it to come from deeper within, from that magical energy that takes over the conscious mind and whisks you away while it goes about its creative mastery in a mystical flow state.
The process of trusting and letting go is never easy, but observing and witnessing is the mother of all practices, as a dear brother and mentor once told me.
And as I played the songs on my guitar, over and over, like a stuck vinyl, the groove into the essence of that creation got deeper and more defined. I liken it to a sculptor who starts with a simple block of stone and from that is tasked with unveiling the statue it holds within. To quote Michelangelo, who perhaps many don’t know felt more of a sculptor than a painter:
“Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it”
- Michelangelo Buonarroti
This is how I started to feel as I reflected internally on the creative process unfolding from within me. And the more I chiselled away at the melodies, the more precise they became and the more they showed me what they were destined to be. It requires patience, persistence and faith. I did this very consciously with a recent song named “Metamorphosis”, a song about transformation. It starts in the dark depths, tentatively emerging, growing, gaining in strength and sound, until the voice soars on higher notes towards the end, at first gently, and then with ever more vigour. The last section is without text, allowing the voice to fly and be free, reflecting the struggle as the chrysalis is broken and with determination, a birthed butterfly emerges, spreading its wings in the joyous freedom of its maiden voyage. I don’t think I could have thought this up without it becoming contrived and forced. It was the song’s soul which guided me and so I followed. I had to put aside my insecurities and my need for perfection so that I might break free of my own boundaries, my comfort zone, and in so doing, discovering such amazing heights I never knew I could reach.
This doesn’t always happen though. Some songs are birthed very quickly, without much pain or uncertainty. In fact, so quickly, that there’s no real time in the moment to reflect on the process and so when I then think back to how the song arrived, it’s quite blank. My conscious mind can’t recall as it wasn’t my mind doing the creating in the first place.
The most recent song is in Italian and actually uses the words of a video I found on Instagram, and I’ll be contacting the owner of these words to ask his permission and who knows what connection may arise there. But the process was curious. As I watched and listened to the video, I heard a patient yet urgent whisper:
“This is a song”
I immediately took out pen and paper and wrote down excerpts of the text. No pondering on which lines to include or not. I went with the flow, picked up my guitar and again, a blank. I don’t know how I found the chords or the rhythm, but before I knew it I was again singing melodies like a wailing cat, unsure of where to go. I put aside that inner voice of judgement and carried on. The guitar playing was also challenging as it required me to strum with a pick, something I have avoided up until now in the short time I’ve been playing, as fingerpicking is what comes most naturally. The song which has emerged is reminiscent of Italian songs of the 80s and I find myself laughing internally as I play, amazed that this could come through me. The creative process is wondrous and mystical and in my view, proof of the Divine.
We humans have been blessed with the ability to create, to be artistic, unlike any of the other animals in this kingdom, we alone have this gift. So why do we create? Why is there a force within us, wherever we may be in the world, in whichever culture or era, that encourages us to use our physical bodies and our sentient heart, to artistically create forms of beauty? If you have a view or feeling on this, I’d love to know, so please do leave a comment and get the conversation on this, as I sense it is vital to the turbulent times we are in.
When I ask myself why I am drawn to the arts, be it music, writing, painting or photography, I find myself answering with two reasons. The first is for healing and to harness energy. The therapeutic benefits of art and music are well-known, becoming ever more present in our every day lives. Whether it’s through a sound bath, a singing circle or a journalling workshop, there are now a plethora of events and retreats which bring people, art, healing and spirituality together, so many beautiful offerings. For me, my favourite modality is through the voice and bringing people together to sing and express ourselves freely and with joy, showing us that we can break free of our limiting self-beliefs, or through also offering intimate concerts, allowing my music to soothe and inspire. The second reason in my opinion, is to communicate and to connect. This might be to connect with our inner world, our inner child, the relationship that we have with ourself. It is also, of course, to connect with others. To authentically express what is within and connect, be it through crisis and pain, beauty, joy or fun.
As we move forwards on the journey of life, through these somewhat uncertain times, art serves an ever-more important role. No matter what is happening on the outside, we all have to contend with our inner worlds. Some spiritual beliefs, such as Buddhism, believe in building inner resilience so that we may weather the storms which we inevitably all need to go through at some point or another. Art is a gift from God and I believe we are all artists. Just look at children, they all have a creative impulse and do it with such joy and abandon. If you’d like to nurture your inner child and increase your joy and wellness, have a look at what offerings there may be in local event venues, church halls and the like. No doubt you’ll find something you’re interested in and who knows how that path may unfold. And as we ease into the dusk of the year, the evenings getting darker and we soon approach winter, watch this space for future offerings of Voice Workshops, Singing Circles and Heart-Centered gatherings.
Until then, I encourage you to make a little more room in your life for art. Enjoy creating and connecting in any way you feel inspired to do so!
