The Alchemy of the Creative Power

Riding the dragon

From the moment that I became aware that I am, around about the age of 6, I became aware of three passion in me; Interaction with nature, a deep spiritual hunger, and a strong desire to express myself creatively. So strong was my creative abilities that there was never a question in any one's mind as to which direction I should go. Many think that those who are blessed with a strong creative gift, has a kind of magic gift, for creativity seems to be a wild power, that often possess those whom it blesses.

Artists also tend to die young, making it imperative that they gather rosebuds while they may. Poets die younger than any other sort of artist, and younger even than deep-sea divers." - Sunday Times, London.

I have observed in the present times that a subtle change is happening in the creative fields. There appears to be a move to be in control of the creative passion, so as to not get destroyed in the process. It does involve being a responsible conveyor of the creative energy. Being creative in every fiber of me, I have no intention of dying young. The creative energy can be harnessed like any other, if you know how to. It is learning to ride the dragon. In spiritual terms the creative energy is called the serpent energy, the Kundalini. Learning to harness our creativity in a disciplined way is indeed the Alchemical Hieros Gamos – the Sacred Marriage between right and left brain.

In my experience the creative impulse and inspiration is akin to the experience of love. In the creative process, you have an inspiration (first stage of love - infatuation). Then you have to decide how to implement the inspiration in practical terms. (Deciding whether it should be a long-term relationship or just a flash in the pan.) Then starts the hard work of materializing the ideal concept. (Relationship settles down into practical living.) This part of the process is often painful and the final artwork will only be produced if the artist believes enough in the original concept to endure the actual creative process from conception to birth. In this part of the process the actual material medium (physical environment) brings unexpected challenges that have to be navigated to ensure completion. These challenges in themselves bring resolution that enhances the original concept. At the completion of an artwork or creative project one always stands back in wonder to see how the original concept has evolved into something so much more than could have been perceived originally. The process of love is like that but only if you remain open throughout the process, no matter how painful, to the flow of creativity (or love) will the original concept be brought into fruition, a full flowering. Every creative person knows that fears and doubts restrict the flow of creativity.

For me creativity is thinking off the beaten track. When someone tells me that they are not a creative person, I will always point out to them that every human being is creative, it is just that we express creativity in different ways. Some of us are encouraged to think creatively, others have had their creativity and passion suppressed. Unleashing our creativity enriches every part of our lives. It is tapping into the right brain with its limitless potential, and indeed in my opinion where the future of human potential lies.

Tapping into our wild power, the creative power, will benefit even those who have no desire to become an artist or do any creative work.

“When the artist is alive in any person, whatever his kind of work may be, he becomes an inventive, searching, daring, self-expressive creature. He becomes interesting to other people. He disturbs, upsets, enlightens, and opens ways for better understanding. Where those who are not artists are trying to close the book, he opens it and shows there are still pages possible.” - Robert Henri – The Art Spirit

The potential force of the creative, imaginative side of your brain is almost limitless, and through creatively expressing yourself you can come to know this powerful self and make it known to others. Through exercising your creative abilities you are made visible.

The German artist Albrecht Dürer said, “From this, the treasure secretly gathered in your heart will become evident through your creative work.”

Perhaps this also explains the ancient legends of dragons guarding the treasure. In this case the treasure through exploring our creativity is finding the treasure hidden in ourselves. Those finding that there is an emptiness in their lives, an inner hunger, will find that their souls are calling to work on the forge of their own hearts, to create a life of passion and purpose. The Blacksmith has been since ancient times symbolic of the Alchemist, since all four elements are used in metal-working, and to create a healthy and balanced life we must work with the power of the four elements. To work in the forge of your own heart in order to create a life of passion and purpose, based on beauty and dignity; one must work with the air of your mind, the water of your heart, the earth of your instinct(body) and the fire of your spiritual passion(intuition/creativity). When mental discipline are applied to the life energies, transformation can occur.

Gustav Klimt - The Kiss

tags: crearivity  spiritual  alchemy  power  self  passion  beauty