'Mind Control' or Creativity? - or - Why Holding On Is As
Important As Letting Go
Life is full of contradictions, opposites and mysteries and yet,
when you let go of analysing, dissecting and isolating
everything, and look at the bigger picture, mind control and
creativity suddenly go together perfectly well. They are two
sides of the same coin. Here's why...
When it comes to being creative, we first think of letting go of
limitations, restrictions and all those logical, analytical
activities of the brain's left hemisphere. Delving into the
limitless world of our imaginative right brain is an important
part of entering that exhilarating state where new ideas flow.
But that alone doesn't achieve the balance we need for creative
harmony.
The last few months have been hectic as I've set up a new
business - as a single parent, this isn't always a breeze. Apart
from creating my own brand of training courses and seminars,
we've built a lovely website containing many articles on
holistic wellbeing. Even though this is the work that I'm
passionate about and love to do, not everything runs smoothly
all the time. Retaining the 'creative flow' is a must.
I'm sure many of you will know the feeling of 'life getting in
the way' - too many errands to run, bills to pay, autumn leaves
to rake and complicated homework riddles to solve - and the list
goes on... So, how DO you retain the creative flow?
The answer is simple really - through mind control!
The idea of mind control might seem opposed to having boundless
creative energy, but it isn't at all.
Being creative means letting go - 'going with the flow' as that
well worn saying goes. It's about allowing the delicate breeze
of inspiration, imagination and ideas to tickle your fingers
into a dance of many letters as the words flow onto paper (or
into your PC files). And in order to let go enough for this
subtle, elusive energy to come out to play, you first need mind
control.
The mind control path to creativity means being able to leave
behind the noise of incessant mental chatter, the harrowing
images of ever growing un-ironed washing piles, the frantic
pre-Christmas shopping shuffle and whatever else might be
occupying your thoughts and undermining your creativity.
Take time out in the midst of the madness. Let go of the
pressure of the to-do-list and the need for household perfection
- and the guilt that may result from that - and take time for
silence, for nature and for simply being with your Self. Once
you learn to control your mind, you achieve the inner silence
that allows something 'sublime' to happen.
Try my top three tips to quieten the mind and increase
creativity:
#1 Find five minutes for yourself as early in the day as
possible. Lock yourself away. Make it your time. If necessary
buy some noise cancelling headphones! Sit in a comfortable
chair, close your eyes, and relax. Imagine you are breathing in
creative energy with each breath, and exhaling pure light.
#2 Walk. Become super-sensitive to what's around you - bird
song, traffic noise, laughter. Don't analyse or judge, just
look, listen and use the rest of your senses.
#3 Play this creativity game. Pick up the nearest book. Go to
page 12. Count to the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth
words. I just did this and the words were "order to achieve".
Pick, one two or three of these words, and use them to write
about tomorrow. Don't analyse, just write.
"Tomorrow I'm going to order an omelette at the shoe repair
shop. It would be good to see the look on the face of old
Jenkins. Maybe he'll even crack a smile for once. You never know
what you can achieve until you try."
And then, enjoy going with that creative flow! Have fun...
If you don't really know how creativity is relevant in your life
or you haven't quite found the outlet for your own creative
energies - next time I'll share some ideas on finding the
perfect way for you to express who you are.