“Meditate. Live purely. Be quiet. Do your work with mastery.
Like the moon, come out from behind the clouds!
Shine.” Buddha
Do you think it’s possible, that just by practicing meditation, you can unlock creativity within yourself?
Many published writers and visual artists attribute the practice of meditation to their success.
WHY MEDITATE?
The regular practice of meditation can help:
- Unlock writer’s block
- Create a flow of ideas for new paintings
- Clear the mind of junk
- Enable you to better focus on your craft.
My artist husband, Drew Brophy, meditates every morning before he starts his day.
He says that meditation “gets rid of all the other nonsense in your brain so you can begin with a clean place, no distractions. It allows me to focus better.”
As a result, Drew is one of the most focused, organized people I know.
HOW MEDITATION UNSTUCK MY CREATIVITY:
I’m about halfway through a book I’m writing for artists on the business of art. It was going well, until a couple of months ago when I felt “stuck”. I had hit a wall and feared that I would abandon the project. But I had already told so many people that I was writing this book, I knew that I had to finish it!
So I decided to take a trip to recharge my mind. A search on the internet led me to a writer’s meditation retreat at the Shambhala Mountain Center in Red Feather Lakes, CO. Susan Piver, a bestselling author, was the instructor.
Her course description read “Through practicing meditation we can access our true voice and deepest inspiration.”
The idea that meditation could somehow unlock my creativity within was intriguing.
I registered, and 2 weeks later, flew to the cold, Colorado mountains to learn how to deepen my meditation and become a better writer.
This retreat created a huge breakthrough for me. Susan got us into a routine of meditating first, and then free-writing. I’ve since taken this routine home, and it’s opened up an entire new world of writing. I’m back to making progress on my book, which feels great. (Another benefit is that I’m a lot calmer, meaning that I’m less likely to lose it when my son accidentally wipes chocolate on my white shirt, or when a client rubs me the wrong way.)
WHAT IS MEDITATION?
In simple terms, meditation is the self-directed practice for relaxing the body and calming the mind. There are many different ways to meditate. For me, its finding stillness in the mind by sitting quietly and ridding my mind of thought of anything other than where I am at that moment. One way of stilling the mind is to focus on your breath, which keeps you in the present moment.
It’s not easy, stilling the mind, especially for someone like me who is super-hyper, full of ideas, one right after another.
When learning to meditate, instructors will advise that “if a thought arises, gently acknowledge it and bring your mind back to your breath.” Good advice. It’s really taken me a lot of practice just to go a few minutes without a racing mind! But each time I meditate, I get better and better at it.
Susan Piver wrote a blog post titled “Five common misconceptions about Meditation” and it provides a link to instructions. I recommend checking it out.
MY MEDITATION / CREATION ROUTINE:
I wake up an hour or two before Drew and my son wake up. I light candles and place a pillow on the floor to sit on. I sit with a straight back, legs crossed, hands placed palm down just above my knees, eyes softly gazing straight ahead. I set a timer for 10-20 minutes.
Immediately after meditation, I’ll move to the kitchen table and do a free-writing exercise for 30 minutes. This is where I write anything that comes to me, always keeping the pen moving. Once I’ve written, pen to paper, I’ll open the laptop and re-write, clean it up, and then post it or save it for more work later.
WHY A ROUTINE WORKS:
It’s what you do every day that shapes your career and your future. I’m committed to becoming an excellent writer. And I know that in order to do that, I have to write, every day, regardless of how inspired I am or how poorly the words are coming out that day. Beginning with meditation gives my mind a clean slate, one in which new ideas can more easily grow and flourish.
FOR MEDITATION BEGINNERS:
There are guided meditations you can buy on itunes and on CD.
Some of my favorite guided meditations are Meditations for Busy People (8-10 minute meditations) by Bodhipaksa and Indigo Dreams Soundtrack by Lori Lite.
I also recommend going on youtube and doing a search of “guided meditation” – here you’ll find many short, good meditations for free.
Find a meditation routine that works best for you, and make it a part of your daily life. It may work best for you to meditate right before you begin a new painting project. Or, you may prefer to do it first thing in the morning when you wake up (this works best for me). No matter what works for you, try to do it consistently so you’ll enjoy the benefits.
I heard someone once say that there is great freedom in routines, because it is what allows us to be who it is we want to be.
And like I said in one of my previous posts, “you are what you do every day“.
“Practice meditation regularly. Meditation leads to eternal bliss. Therefore meditate, meditate.” Swami Sivananda
Maria XXOO
I love this article because everyone talks about meditation but nobody really says what they mean … what is meditating? Allowing yourself a free write after a meditation is a great idea and as a daily practice is brilliant.
Thanks Maria! Great inspiring post as usual!!!
Lisa, thanks for reading. I wondered if people would get this article and even if it was appropriate for my readers – but ultimately I’d like to at least introduce this idea for those who have a mild interest in meditating and what it can do for you……
Thanks Maria I too am writing a book not about art but about bioidential hormones for women in their 30’s and have it a block. I think I will check out this retreat. Thank you for always sharing and being so personable and honest. Good luck with your book I’m sure it will be fabulous!
Anita, wow, your book sounds interesting! I highly recommend these retreats with Susan Piver. I think there’s one in April in Colorado. She has others, too. Good luck and keep me posted on the book!
Well said Maria. It seems so long ago that we sat on that mountain high. I was fortunate to have been there with you and the other Rigden-writers. Can you believe the beauty that came form within it…the storm, the silence, the wisdom, the healing and most importantly the writing. Those experiences make this journey wild and alive! I see those huge swirling snow clouds in my minds eye and feel the vigor.
As for writing…I too have maintained the practice. Prior to the retreat I would sit for an hour…but found the shorter versions, two or three times a day, just as inspiring.
I loved that retreat so much! I’m going to do another one – because when I came back, I was in a blissful state that lasted about a week!!!! I need my fix!
I’ve been using meditation for over 30 years as a tool for myself and for clients. Meditation helps us become more clear and mindful. There
are not many things that meditation can’t improve. Nice post.
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You are one of a kind, Maria, otherwise you would not have written such an amazing post about your experiences with meditation. Fabulous! I encourage you to keep up the great work you are doing.
I don’t know why, but reading this (one of your older posts) reminded me of one of my heroes–the late, great John Denver. My intuition tells me you may have already come across some of his moving songs.
Unfortunately, Denver passed away years ago in a tragic plane crash.
Those of us who adored him felt almost as if we had lost a best friend. Your post reminded me of Denver and his musical genius because of your spiritual retreat in Colorado, the abode of Denver.
Although Denver appeared in several Hollywood movies and on TV shows too, I think he will be best remembered for his lyrics, songs.
Denver had a way of conveying complex ideas in simple language. Denver’s music pulled at your heart-strings, directly and without any pretensions. It would be great if you could buy one of Denver’s albums/CD and have your young son listen to the songs of Denver.
It’s a good idea to introduce our very young people to old and forgotten heroes. Sometimes, it helps to re-visit the past and help the new generation understand what a great time some of us have lived through. For me, Denver was like meditation itself–very soulful.
I have great memories of John Denver songs. Once while in Madrid, a local there was excited to meet someone who spoke English, and he had me singing John Denver songs all night! it was hilarious.
Meditation is part of my daily life. I feel a little off if I skip a day…..
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Maria, you are so right about meditation! There is a reason they call it “practice” – it does take practice to learn to empty yourself and be open to the fullness that follows. I try to sit daily, at least for a little bit, and longer once a week. I DOES help to keep me centered and more aware of each moment, and I tend to be more mindful in my actions.
I thought some of your readers might be interested in a guided healing meditation that I did for a friend with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s) – perhaps it can bring some pain relief to others. Bless you for sharing all that you do – you are helping others to succeed in many ways! Here’s the link to my meditation: right-click on the “enlightenment” file to save it, or just click on it to play it. It is 20 minutes long.
OOPS!! Here’s the link: http://eclecticdawnarts.com/tmp/
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Meditation is good to make it part of your life. It will make you feel comfortable as well as motivated for you made some reflections while meditating.
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Maria,
I love this post. The way you write makes me feel like you are sitting across the table from me at the coffee shop. :). ~ Karen
Maria, Thanks for this article! I have been talking to myself about meditation. I do “morning pages” every day, and have since I heard Julia Cameron speak in 2001. I am coming from a Christian tradition and know that many of my peers find the word “meditation” unnerving. I am going to try the practice with an icon or crucifix as it has been done in the Orthodox and Catholic traditions for centuries. Meditation can be done many ways and in many traditions.
Karen & Sarah, thanks for the comments!
To Karen: That’s a lovely compliment, thank you! 🙂
To Sarah: Even Jesus meditated – so it’s a very Christian thing to do. He spent hours meditating – he would encourage people to pray, in private, for long periods, but to say very few words in their prayer. This is a form of meditation.
My Mother in Law is a very devout Catholic – and even she meditates regularly. I admire her commitment to her spiritual growth, even at her young age of 70-something!
I agree with you that Meditation can be done in many different ways. Depending on your personal belief system, you can tailor it to your own needs. (That’s a great idea to use a crucifix if that keeps you connected to your own religion.)
Meditating brings me closer to God and love and peace. It helps me to tune into the energy source that connects us all to God, the universe and each other. And that connection comes out of me in beautiful ways, like the desire to help others and the ability to love more freely.
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Very good article.
I read something on similar lines which I would like to share.
http://warrenstagg22.com/2014/07/11/meditation-3/
Maria,
Thank you for writing this article! I am currently working on a study for my elementary art classroom on how incorporating meditative practices can aid in reflective practices among young children – this is perfect for me as this shows how practicing artists and writers such as yourselves can incorporate meditation into your creative endeavors. Thanks again!