How to Find Creative Solutions by Emptying Your Mind

I’ve always been fascinated by how creative artists describe their process. It is not surprising that they speak of being open-minded, where core creativity can be downloaded. There are painters that stare blankly at a canvas, and there are guitarists who wait for inspiration by looking out at the ocean with their guitar.

Actor and writer Cody Fern says that for him, setting the state to be receptive to new creative ideas looks like “silence and clearing, getting really quiet, saving the reserves of energy.” He doesn’t let himself think too much about how he might approach his work, which would distract him from what his non-rational brain is communicating to him. 

In 2015, James Taylor stated this in an interview The Hemispheres magazine interview, “Given enough empty time, the songs show up. I’ve often said that it’s an unconscious and mysterious process, my type of songwriting. It’s just waiting for you to hear it. You have to listen more than you generate the song. There’s just something about songwriting. It’s like a musical puzzle or a math problem. When you solve it, it’s like you’re being surprise by your own subconscious in a way. That’s an unparalleled delight.” 

Robbie Robertson, the Band’s spokesperson in the documentary We were once brothers, “The creative process is a process catching you off guard. You write about what you know, where you have been, who you knew and know… Creativity comes from the womb of emptiness.” 

“Curiosity about life in all aspects, I think, is still the secret of great creative people.”- Leo Burnett

Is it possible to surrender when your creativity is at its lowest? People believe ideas come from the collective unconscious, which Carl Jung described as “the collective unconscious”. It’s here that the archetypes of stories, themes, and characters are said to reside, seeping into our conscious and unconscious and influencing our perceptions about ourselves and our lives. You can tap into your personal unconscious, but some would say that you can also access what’s in the collective unconscious, too. 

Mindfulness meditation — whether it’s sitting silently and clearing the mind, walking in nature, or shifting into “absorption” whereby you simply sit still and observe — can take you out of overthinking and into the mind state of receptivity. Meditating can help you to relax and change your brainwaves. As long as you’re present, distraction-free can help you open your mind. 

Both core creativity and intuitive wisdom and knowledge can be accessed in an open mind state — not because you have an open mind, or are trying to be open minded, but because you’re in a state of pure receptivity that evolves naturally after given yourself over to emptiness. 

Do this! “No-Self” MeditationTo let go of your ego, be curious and receptive and to tap into your inner creativity. 

  1. You can start by quieting all thoughts.Be open to being receptive beyond the distractions of your mind. Notice what you’re experiencing without generating thoughts. Allow thoughts to drift off like clouds if they arise. If your stream of distracted thoughts stops, stay present for at least one minute in a state of receptivity. 
  2. Allow yourself to experience “no self.” Here, your identity drops away as  you simply experience being present. Allow yourself to disappear and let all of your preconceived notions about who or what you should be doing with your creativity project fall away. You can let thoughts emerge, exist and then fade away, without having to hold on. You’ll find yourself not in your ego mind, fixated on what you think you know, but instead feeling curious and open to receiving and discovering. 
  3. You can enter the pure emptiness.You have entered The Void. Remain here even if it’s somewhat uncomfortable because you’ll soon notice that this void is actually a fertile one, revealing itself to be filled with ideas, images, pictures, colors, textures, stillness, and possibility. Let yourself absorb what you are looking for, and allow it to flow into you. You will then be free to work with the energy of possibility that it creates. As you do, you’re downloading core creativity. Be fully present in this experience, observing it, noting what you’re feeling, understanding, hearing, and seeing in your mind’s eye. 

When you’re ready, end the meditation. You can write down your impressions, thoughts or insights. 

Use the No-Self Meditation to partake in a “clear the desk” experience that allows you to enhance your intuitive abilities and access core creativity.

Addicted 2 Success published the article How to Find Creative Solutions By Emptying Your Mind.

Addicted 2 Success published the article How to Find Creative Solutions By Emptying your Mind.

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