The creative is the place where no one else has ever been. You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover is yourself. ~Alan Alda
Share what you are discovering about your own unique creative process, and what you are learning about your Self as we travel through these 10 weeks together.How does it feel to leave your comfort and go into the wilderness?
What happens during incubation?
What strategies works for you?
How does it feel during illumination and breakthrough?
Where and how do you stop the Process?
What are you learning about your Self?
-Leaving comfort(habit)for a new behavior:
ReplyDeleteIncubation: I found I have to be consciously aware of my throught process about expectations in order to change this familiar habit.
Strategy: just start doing and let go of the need to control outcome. Communication: just focus on my breathing; this helps me to listen better.
Personal experience and learning: I feel more calm and alert in my environment; definitely a new experience in living moment to moment. Taking time to journal also helps keep me aware of my new journey and makes it easier to comment on this blog -David
-It's scary to leave my comfort zone and go into the "wilderness." It's the same feeling as driving in an unknown, dangerous neighborhood at night, by yourself, and without the guidance of a GPS system. I think this initial fear is the reason why I often stick with the process that "works" for me.
ReplyDelete- Incubation period is usually like the "given up" stage for me. But it is also a stage that gives me the lingering sensation, a pestering thought that I'm missing something or I need to do something that I forgot about. I think the incubation period is necessary in order to walk away from the problem, at least for a little while, and let your mind process everything and come up with the solution that works for you -- a solution that is fitting and creative.
- Generally speaking, logical and intellectual strategies work for me. Also, there is an emotional aspect because I get an extra joy out of knowing that these strategies will produce the results I've strived for. If it makes logical sense while making me feel that sense of accomplishment, I know that the strategy I've chose was the right one.
- It is totally exhillarating when I go through the illumination and breakthrough phases. To know that the problem I've been struggling with has been resolved is truly satisfying.
- Usually when I can let go of the problem and have some type of closure (whether it be the final presentation on my findings at work or a reconciliation with the friend I had a fight with), I stop the process. I don't really have a set way to stop; it's more of an understanding in my mind that I've found peace again.
- I'm learning that I have 2 very different sides. One is the more logical, rational side where I have to do things that make sense. On the other hand, I am emotional in that I don't feel like I've accomplished something unless I feel peaceful and/or happy. This becomes more apparent in personal issues.
David and Catherine,
ReplyDeleteWow. These are such rich and thoughtful contributions you have written here.
David, you are already putting together pieces we will cover in future classes. Great way to break down your process into conscious and meaningful steps that are serving you in these new behaviors. And, I love that you mentioned journaling, because it is a key piece to getting the most out of the course.
Catherine, yes there both the intellect and the emotional side get to experience your creativity. Being in this process can bring up many feelings...that's why we focused on those during the creative moment exercise in our first class. Tonight, we'll talk more about the use of the objective intellect in the creative process.
Thank you both for sharing these insightful reflections with our community.
Julie
Leaving comfort: Its scary at first to let go of the cocoon, its a little bit like free falling.
ReplyDeleteIncubation is a glimpse into the light I will finally see at the end of the tunnel, if I keep going. There's a small piece of doubt which reminds of how I might fail if I give up, and it also serves as a motivation in some way.
What works for me is to trust myself and let go with the confidence that I will bounce back out of any situation.
How does it feel during illumination and breakthrough: Its very relieving, and strengthening to my belief system.
What are you learning about your Self: I am very passionate and need to be able to control my emotions, then I can go places!
How does it feel to leave your comfort and go into the wilderness?
ReplyDeleteIt is actually very scary, but very exciting at the same time. It’s like an adrenaline rush. It takes some time and reflexion to leave my comfort zone, but once the fear is gone, you feel “alive”.
What happens during incubation?
Chaos! I somehow need to destroy what is established and start all over again. This allows me to see/extract a structure and built and/or create something new.
What strategies works for you?
I guess what works for me is to destroy, a better world would be de-construct and construct again. I hope it makes some sense....
How does it feel during illumination and breakthrough?
Relief and happiness, because at this point in time I know that I achieved/did what I wanted to.
Where and how do you stop the Process?
The process either stops:
- when I am satisfied with of the result... Which is very tricky, because it depending on the subject, there is no real way to rationally measure it. This reinforce the fact that I need to learn to have no expectations and to silent my VOJ more often.
- when I am bored and the subject doesn't stimulate me anymore.
What are you learning about your Self?
I am complicated ;-) More seriously, I need to be more detached and less emotionally involved.
Sometimes I become so entranced by playing around in the incubation (warm, cozy) phase that I start to overcook. Simmering is a good technique, AND it's good to check to see if our dish is ready to be served.
ReplyDelete