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"For Art to Appear....."
We highly value success, winning, achieving goals, and getting results in this culture. We are conditioned to do, to produce, to get somewhere. The tendency for many, if not most, of us is to bring this goal-oriented mentality to everything that we do, including creative expression. Focusing too much on goals can inhibit the creative process.
Of course, goals have their place with regard to our creative endeavors. Having a goal of writing a thoughtful and inspirational essay about a life-changing event or building a website that clearly reflects who you are and what you have to offer can motivate you to move forward on your ideas and visions, and can help to sustain you if and when you begin to falter. There is a fine line, though, between having the intention to create a wonderful product and having rigid expectations and an excessive attachment to the end result.
Leaving the moment and focusing on the goal interrupts the creative flow. Suddenly you are caught in a quagmire of questions: How is this going? Where is this going? Is it good? Will people like it? When we are present and can surrender to the endless moment-to-moment twists and turns of the creative process, magic can happen. We let go of control, we get out of our heads and stop analyzing, worrying, and strategizing. We venture into the unknown, wide-eyed and curious. We get out of the way; insights and new possibilities are revealed to us. As Stephen Nachmanovich, author of Free Play, says, "For art to appear, we have to disappear."
When I sit down to write the first draft of a poem, for example, I'm aware that I would like to write a deep and meaningful piece. I'd like rich imagery and astute insights to come forth. I make room for that desire, not making myself wrong for wanting this. If, though, I find myself too invested in the outcome, I soften that intensity, and feel myself shift from holding my goal tightly to holding it lightly. I know that in this writing period I may or may not achieve the results I'd like, and that is okay. I relax into that and often feel spacious and open. Then I look at the blank page, feel the pen in my hand, and see what comes. I move into the creative void, curious and available to the Mystery. I may just let words and, perhaps, feelings and images spill onto the page, or I may focus attention on my body, attentive to my somatic experience, and let the body speak. At times there is a particular theme I want to explore; other times I just want to write something open-ended. When I start to feel constricted, or find that I'm getting lost in meddlesome thoughts, I catch myself, take some deep breaths and simply choose to return to the Now. A poem or a few lines that I love may unfold, or nothing special at all may occur. It doesn't matter, though, because I have been enriched and enlivened by immersing myself in the creative process.
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UPCOMING COURSE
GUIDED IMAGERY TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION
Telecourse and Free Introductory Teleseminar
In this 5-session certification telecourse you will learn innovative imagery techniques and guidelines for the successful use of imagery for your own healing and transformation and/or to expand the scope of your practice and your work with clients if you are a helping professional of any kind.
Nurses and hypnotherapists will receive CEUs.
You will learn:
Specific Imagery Techniques for Intuitive Decision-Making
How to Access the 'Inner Entrepreneur', 'Inner Artist' and Other Positive Selves Through Subpersonality Work
How to Apply the Healing and Symbols Process to Financial and Career Issues
How to Integrate Imagery Into Daily Life
How to Use All of the Senses to Increase the Effectiveness of Imagery
... and more
The telecourse begins Thursday, October 18 and continues on Thursdays for five weeks. Each class begins at 5:00 pm PT, 8:00 pm ET and lasts for 90 minutes.
All classes will be recorded, so if you miss any, you can listen via recording.
The fee is $257 before October 12 (single payment) and $287 after that, which can be paid in one, two or three payments.
FREE INTRODUCTORY TELESEMINAR CALL -
"Imagine Creativity"
The creative force is the life force. It is the deep river of aliveness that can course through your being and awaken joy and life-giving energies in you if you welcome it into your life. Creative expression is not reserved for writers, musicians, and artists. You can express creativity in parenting, cooking, gardening, or building a business. You will smile and shine more in every area of your life if you open the doors to your imagination and innovative spirit.
In this FREE introductory teleseminar, you will learn how to use guided imagery to awaken and enhance creative expression in any area of your life. You don't have to be enrolled in the telecourse to sign up for the free teleseminar.
Thursday, October 11
5:00 pm PT, 8:00 pm ET
45 minutes
For information, or to register for the Free Introductory Teleseminar and/or Certification Telecourse, contact me at
susannewest888@yahoo.com or (415)721-0766
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WAKING DOWN IN MUTUALITY
Individual Sessions and Sittings
Waking Down in Mutuality is an integrated, whole-being spirituality that includes body, mind, feelings, and spirit. In this work you embrace your humanity and your divinity. Spirit is not seen as separate from the body or our world. Our full humanness is experienced as sacred, as is all of life.
I offer phone or in-person individual sessions, a 45 minute FREE Introductory Session, and sittings in San Rafael and Oakland, California.
*A 10 minute period of silent meditation
*Gazing Meditation - Being to Being meeting, in which the teacher briefly connects with each participant through eye contact
*Personal Sharing Time - Each person who wants to, takes time to share. This can include speaking about what is currently important to you in your spiritual life, sharing an "edge" or area of exploration, or asking questions.
Sitting in San Rafael (contact me for address)
Saturday, October 13
Saturday, November 24
10:30 am - 1:30 pm
Sitting in Oakland 5990 Skyline Blvd
Monday, October 8
Monday, November 2
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Fee for Sittings: $20
INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS
FREE 45 minute Introductory Session
One hour phone or in-person sessions
Sliding scale of $55-$75/hour
Contact me to reserve spaces for sittings susannewest888@yahoo.com or
(415) 721-0766.
For more information about Waking Down in Mutuality, see
www.wakingdown.org
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WRITING FROM THE SOUL
Writing for Creative Expression and Spiritual Growth
In this ongoing, drop-in group you will learn processes to free your imagination, develop ease and confidence in writing, cultivate your unique writing voice, and overcome blocks to writing.
San Rafael, CA (Call for address)
Alternate Thursdays
7:30 - 9:30 pm
All levels of experience and all types of writing are welcome
INDIVIDUAL COACHING SESSIONS (phone or in-person) to assist you in any or all stages of the writing process:
- Start, develop, and/or complete writing projects
- Learn how to ignite and sustain motivation
- Overcome writer's block
- Discover your natural writing voice
- Develop confidence and ease in writing
- Create attainable short and long term goals
A FREE CONSULTATION is available. You can contact me at susannewest888@yahoo.com or (415) 721-0766.
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INSIGHT TO ACTION COACHING
Individual Sessions and Sittings
INSIGHT TO ACTION COACHING phone or in-person coaching can help you:
- Achieve your personal and professional goals
- Navigate through periods of transition
- Develop strengths and seed potentials
- Find your purpose and passion
- Overcome blocks and limiting patterns
- Quiet the voice of the Inner Critic
- Access inner knowing for decision-making and clarity about your goals and life direction
- Ignite and sustain your creativity
- Create action steps that generate tangible results
I specialize in helping clients overcome blocks of all kinds and translate ideas and visions into concrete action. Fees for individual sessions are based on a sliding scale. A coaching package is available, as well.
Contact me if you'd like a FREE CONSULTATION
(415) 721-0766 or susannewest888@yahoo.com.
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For information or to sign up for courses or free consultations, contact me at susannewest888@yahoo.com or (415)721-0766.
Click here to visit my website if you'd like to learn more about my phone or in-person Insight to Action Coaching, Waking Down in Mutuality, Writing from the Soul Programs, or The Soul of Caregiving.
A Free Consultation is available. You can also sign up for my free monthly newsletter. |
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