 |
GATEWAYS |
|
GATEWAYS |
 |
|||||
|
CREATIVITY Discipline or Willingness? When it comes to creativity, the word discipline can present problems. Webster defines the word in these terms: a systematic method to obtain obedience; submission to rules and authority; punishment intended to train or correct. For many of us, whether we are arts professionals or others deeply involved with the creative process, discipline is like taking a dose of castor oil. Admonishing ourselves into action, we "force it down" in order to accomplish our goals. Discipline is born of resistance. In itself, resistance is not negative, and is certainly not a character flaw. In fact, it is an inherent link in the chain that comprises one's creative process. In life, we all must work through varying degrees of resistance in order to create momentum, which carries us into that delicious natural high we call, "flow." Why then, does discipline so often fail us? Why does it bring on a tangle of inner conflict, stress and guilt that hinders momentum and flow, or even stops us in our tracks? I think it's because discipline is applied to resistance with opposition. When we oppose our resistance, we compound tension and perfectionism. We get so focused on outcomes and "success" that we miss the joy of creating in the moment. The discipline that was intended to bring mastery and success, in fact, brings reluctance and disappointment. |
|
|
|
Since the word "discipline" is highly charged with respect to the creative process, I prefer to use the word "willingness" to describe a new approach. Willingness can be cultivated, with patience. It takes a little time, but the rewards are great, indeed, as we feel tensions loosen and the joys of creating increased. Here's how it works: Like meditation in motion, the awareness mind accepts resistance with no struggle. Ironically, gentle acceptance loosens and melts it. The inner eye simply observes the resistance non-judgmentally, creating a soft "container" for it. Then the mind gently shifts its focus back to the task at hand, wasting no time in a draining struggle. Gradually, as we stay true to this gentle shifting, we notice resistance floats off more easily and more often. It no longer devolves into a pesky demon that gains control over our creative endeavors. We push nothing away: the resistance is allowed to simply dissolve on its own. Conflict, life stress and guilt begin to fade. Starting becomes easier. Resistance is replaced by more and more calm, and more flow. We begin to recover long lost pangs of excitement when we wake in the morning. We define the word "success" on our own terms, and are able to take action, focus, and let go of outcomes. We surrender and engage with our art form or other activity, moment by moment. If we stay loyal to this practice, one day we will notice that our discipline has become our willingness. (C) 2002 Barbara Bowen |
|