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I love the way the principles of creation are articulated in the Kabbalah Four Worlds of Creation and Tree of Life.
These two models from the mystic Kabbalah tradition give us access to the actual way creativity expresses itself in our lives, and they do it in a very elegant, yet practical, way.
Some years ago, my appreciation for the value of using these Kabbalah templates in the Core Wisdom classes was sparked when I looked at a diagram of the Tree of Life in a book that I owned, and realized that that the diagram ---called, "the lightning flash of creation" -- was an accurate blueprint of the creative process. I looked at my own direct experience of the creative process in my various expressions --- artist, author, consultant, coach, hypnotherapist, and "practical mystic" --- and realized that the dynamics of the creative principles of the Four Worlds and the Tree of Life were perfect maps for what was happening in every case. It applied in all aspects of my personal life as well. That is why I use these templates of Wisdom in the Core Wisdom classes. They mirror the way creation actually unfolds in our lives.
As I have worked with clients and students from all walks of life, the accuracy of the pathway of creation as expressed in the Tree of Life has proved its validity over and over again.
The First World of Creation --Origination -- is our connection with the infinite Creative Principle from which all creation unfolds, and of which we are an expression. It is the World where we know directly our true nature as I AM. This is the "juice" from which all creation flows.
The Second World -- Creation --is our Intention and Wisdom to be a channel for creation to unfold.
The Third World --Formation --is what gives form to our creative intentions and allows for the fulfillment of the Fourth World -- Manifestation --the creation expressed in the physical realm.
So many people believe that creativity and the creative process is a "doing" process. Often, I will hear people justify the view that the creative process is hard work by quoting the great American inventor, Thomas Alva Edison's remark, "Creativity is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration."
Nothing could be further from the truth than assuming that creation is a process of hard work and striving. The process of creation is primarily a process of "receiving." The word, Kabbalah, in fact, means, "to receive." Yes, there is action to take to fulfill what is received, and we may work hard in acting to give form to our creation, but that action is a natural flow that is shaped by remaining constantly in an inner relaxed openness to receive guidance from our inner wisdom.
Often, our best creative ideas come, not when we are struggling and straining, but when we have taken a break, relaxed, take a walk, take a shower, etc. Albert Einstein once illuminated the practical, daily reality of this relaxed state of creativity when he said, "How come my best ideas come when I'm shaving?"
Rudyard Kipling, who got most of his creative ideas for his stories by closing his eyes, relaxing and listening within, gave instructions for being open to the creative process unfolding within you in this way: "Drift, listen, and obey."
Thomas Edison lived from the truth that creation was a receiving process. He knew and acted from this truth each day. Whether he had ever heard of the Four Worlds or the Tree of Life, he lived from these universal principles.
But what about Edison's quote about perspiration and inspiration?
If what the great spiritual masters and creative innovators said were actually understood, our world would look quite different than it does now. What we make of what they say is all in our perception. It is all in the listening we bring to it. As Rumi said, "When a thief looks at a saint, all he sees are pockets."
Look at most of the formal photos that are published of Edison. What is he doing in the majority of them? He is sitting, with one hand to his ear, listening. His eyes are focused inward, waiting to receive. He is telling us what the primary component is a accessing the creative muse. Almost no one gets the message when they see the photos with Edison in this pose.
I recall what I learned in school about Edison: I was told he was very creative, and took a lot of naps when he didn't know what to do next. And then he would wake up with an idea.
Somehow, this didn't give me any access to Edison's creative process, because I knew that if I were stumped by something in class, and I put my head down on the desk and took a nap, the teacher's response would NOT be a joyous, "Ah, another Edison!"
Some years ago, as an artist, I had my first direct experience of the power of the Creative Spirit, and I came gradually to understand that the experience which had come through me, filled me, moved my ego gently out of the way, and directed my actions, was the true Source of all creation. From that point on, I became committed to discovering the "secret" of the creative process, to access that experience for myself and my students on an ongoing basis. Of course, what I found was that it was one of those "open secrets," something every spiritual master and teacher tells us in their own vocabulary, while the majority of us continue to remain deaf and blind to the gift being offered us under our noses.
As I studied Edison, I found he was someone who KNEW that creation was a receiving process.
He would have an intention, be it the manifestation of the electric light, reproducing sound (the phonograph), capturing moving images of light (movies), etc. Then he would act toward the fulfillment of it. When he was stuck or needed inner guidance, he would sit in his special armchair. Below the right arm of the chair was placed a metal bowl. In his right hand he would hold some steel ball bearings. Then holding his intention before him, he would close his eyes, and go into a deep alpha/theta state of relaxation. This relaxed state is also the state of creative flow. He would then follow the advice of Jesus, Buddha, and many other spiritual masters and teachers: "Peace. Be Still!"
Edison would allow himself to let go of the inner chatter, and BE, open to receive, trusting in Spirit to provide what he needed as a thought, symbol, insight, image or a "knowing." That is the "1% inspiration" part. Then he would come back to his normal state of consciousness, and go into action out of what he had received. That is the "99% perspiration" part of the equation. But it is the 1% that makes all the difference in what happens in the other 99%!
What were Edison's metal bowl and steel ball bearings for? Even here Edison was rigorous in making sure he would access the creative state to receive. He knew that if he became too relaxed and fell into a deep sleep, his hand would release the ball bearings, and the sound of their clattering as the hit the metal bowl, bringing him back from the state of deep sleep, to a state of conscious, relaxed awareness open to receive!
When the "1%" that is given by Spirit is our guide, the "99% perspiration" part is not a burden or struggle; it is more like the feeling of exhilaration and enthusiasm that is present when we are playing a game or activity full out. Watch a great concert pianist, violinist, cellist or other musician during a performance, or a champion athlete operating "in the zone." Their perspiration is the joyful release of energy being guided and inspired by the other "1%" as it manifests creation in the physical world.
Many of the relaxation/creation techniques and processes that we learn in Core Wisdom are designed to allow us to access these creative states of being naturally, open to receive the infinite gifts of I AM as our creative expressions in the world.
I invite you to open yourself to receive. Begin your day by turning your attention from listening to the mental chatter, concerns, plotting and planning of the Finite Me, relax, and allow the inner noise to go. Be still, and then listen. The Infinite I AM is not stingy with Its gifts of creation. It waits only for our willingness to be open, be still and receive. Then the form that the "1% inspiration" takes can enter our awareness. That form is called, GRACE.
In next week's Core Wisdom On-Line, we will continue this inquiry with a look at the World of Formation. It incorporates the six creative principles of the Tree of Life where Grace begins to take form as specific expressions of creation expressed as YOU.
In the meantime, try out my invitation, if it is not yet a daily practice for you. True creation comes from Nothing, No-Thing. That arises only when we are silent and still. Then what guides our actions has its foundation in the Infinite.
Living the creative life requires going beyond the familiar and predictable safety of the known. The choice in each moment is whether we are more committed to being non-disturbed, wrapped in the illusionary safety of what we believe we know and our plans for the future, or being fully alive, open to receive gifts of creation from Spirit that fill our hearts, our lives, and the lives of those we touch, with Light and Love unimagined in the present moment.
The writer, Anais Nin, beautifully expresses this choice:
"And the day came
-- Hal Isen
From Core Wisdom On-Line Number 9 - September 30, 2001 541-488-7687 |
