Creativity is the phenomenon by which something new, and of value, is generated.
We are all inherently creative, and our creativity can be applied to any area of our life, personal or professional, to make our experiences richer and more satisfying, and to maximise our positive impact on the people around us, and the earth we inhabit.
To understand the importance of creativity, and to master it, we must first understand something fundamental about the cosmos, and our place within it. Whilst this is a vast and complex subject, the key proposition relating to creativity is that everything in the cosmos has a unique purpose, and the creative potential to fulfil that purpose.
If we can discover, and realise, that particular purpose, we are able to tap into the very roots of our creativity, and our most original ideas and projects, those that belong solely to us, and for which we alone are responsible for generating, can come to fruition.
The key to creativity, therefore, is Self-Knowledge; or, as the famous maxim goes, “Know Thyself”.
We cannot, of course, assume that this knowledge will come to us accidentally, or without effort, and it because of this that all ancient philosophies recommend techniques of self-study, which make conquering Self-Knowledge possible for everybody. So if you haven’t got a clue what your life purpose is there are some effective tricks to discover it:
- Take a blank piece of paper and create a list of the values that you hold dearest. These are your principles, the ideals that are essential for you to live by, such as honesty, gratitude, love, friendship, etc. Pick the 5 principles that resonate most strongly with you, and see if they are present in your current work and daily life today. As the word ‘principle’ suggests, these are the source from which everything you are meant to be creating should flow; the very foundation of your life and your life’s work. Your actions must be compatible with your values in order to lead you in the right direction. If you are disconnected from them, it is very possible that you may find yourself stuck, stagnating or dissatisfied. You may even find that you are living according to another person’s principles, developing the ideas of others and being an executor, instead of a creator. Being aware of, and aligned with, your deepest values is the first step in fulfilling your creative potential. You will notice that as you become conscious of both your principles and your actions, insights will begin to pop into your mind offering new paths and possibilities.
- Throughout your day mindfully check in with yourself to see if you like what you are doing. It sounds deceptively simple, but the truth is that our degree of pleasure is a great thermometer to test whether what we are doing is aligned with our true path in life. Our bodies are designed to give us accurate information as to whether something is right for us. When we are creative, we feel alive, excited, and in “flow”, a state that both confirms our creativity, and facilitates it.
- Meditate. We are continually being bombarded with external information that is absorbed by our senses and clouds our consciousness, interfering with our connection to ourselves, the collective unconscious, and the cosmos. This is a distraction in the process of self-study and discovery because we are inclined to believe in, and engage with, the external information, accepting it as the “true reality” and forgetting that the most “real” things are within us, not out there. Meditation allows us to be introspective, and by doing so to expand our consciousness and tap into our creative energy.
To learn more about the philosophy of, and techniques to enhance, creativity; including meditation and visualisation, join us on the 2nd of November for our expected event, Personal Development & Excellence in Life.