more than others, it nevertheless exists within each of us. Indigenous people typically fall into two categories of creativity: those who make art as external objects, and those who become it in the form of self-decoration and performance. The same can be said, though not always as obviously, of those living in modern societies.
Atheists and agnostics don’t typically acknowledge the idea of “spirit”, while people who are religious have proscribed ideas of its meaning. Humanists bridge this gap by identifying art as one of the ultimate forms of human expression, enhancing the meaning and experience of life.
How can we pursue creativity as a spiritual path? Essentially, the process of being creative, and the regular inclusion of it in our daily lives, can enhance our personal well-being, our sense of connectedness with the world and its inhabitants, and our attitude of benevolence toward others. Creative process can improve our quality of life and our relationships. Whether the end result is “good” by common standard is irrelevant; it’s the process itself that’s important.
If you like to write, try keeping a journal; if you prefer to draw, or paint, or sculpt, or compose music, then find a regular time to do so. Meditating beforehand, or at least sitting quietly with an open mind and a focus on your breathing (inspiration!), will aid in the connection of creativity to spirit. To access less familiar areas of your mind and spirit, experiment with styles of creativity that you haven’t done before, or even considered. Creativity in a group (think: drumming circle, or the artists’ schools in the Renaissance era) can be even more powerful, and surely, when community and creativity come together, Spirit is present.
Creativity