Creativity: Core Principles

A few months ago a friend and I were brainstorming next steps for our practices. We both felt strongly that the things we were taught in our training didn’t reflect very well how we were actually working. This led to a questioning. Well then, just WHAT are we doing? Is this Craniosacral Therapy? Or something else? There were lots of vague and sweeping descriptions of ethereal impressions, visions and intuitions flying about. So we turned to brainstorming ideas for creating something concrete. How about developing a course to unblock creative flow – sort of a Craniosacral Artist’s Way?! We promptly forgot about it.

Last week in a session I had a flash of insight. It was as if a voice was saying repeatedly, “Do the course. Do the course. Do the course.” I knew exactly what it was referring to. So I met my friend and told him, “I think we should do it”. The creative buzz was immediately palpable. When you receive a message as clear as “Build it and they will come.” or “Do the course. Do the course. Do the course.” then it’s in your best interest to either listen or to at least get of the way.

So here we are. We’re developing a structured course incorporating craniosacral treatments (as much as cranial work CAN be structured) aimed at helping people learn how to let themselves be creative. This is involving a lot of self exploration for me. I’ve always considered myself a highly creative person, but now I’m faced with questions like “What is creativity?” “Where does it come from?” “Are some people born with more talent than others?” “Where does inspiration come from?” “What is the felt sense of a true creative block?” “What would I be if only…”

This has led to the development of a few Core Principles that the course is developing from. These in no way indicate a final, concrete basis of our approach. They are a very fluid working set of principles that may grow, shrink or change in any direction. But here they are, as they stand, tonight 15 May 2011.

1. We are all at essence creative beings. The essence of life is to create.
2. There is a universal, intelligent & creative force at work in each of us.
3. When we get out of the way this creativity can flow. It knows what to do.
4. Creativity is a spiritual practice which makes us whole – physically, emotionally, intellectually & instinctively. It is an expression of our innate wisdom.
5. The body knows. The body is the instrument through which we create. Embodiment is the process through which we tune our instrument. By bringing our conscious awareness to the body we can learn to ‘let’ creativity act through us.
6. Creativity is a healing force. The images, sights & sounds that both inspire & block our creative output speak so often of experiences that have wounded us. By honouring our creative potential we allow these experiences to pass through us in creative flow rather than remaining as blocks in the body.
7. Creation is a whole body phenomenon involving all bodily systems & functions. Nurturing the body nurtures creativity.
8. There lies a source of stillness at the heart of creative inspiration. This is the place where we let go.