In the physical sciences, we think the only world we know is what can be measured. But the creative lives in another realm. This realm, this ‘Other world’ slips into our day-to-day world in various ways—striking images, moments of exquisite beauty, intense dreams.
It slips into our language through metaphor.
David Lynch, the legendary director of many noteworthy films including Elephant Man and Eraserhead, was once asked by Terry Gross on Fresh Air what he does when he makes a movie. After a long pause he replied, “You know, when I’m making a movie, I don’t know what I’m doing.” Of course there is something…
When we teach, train, coach, mentor, or share our gifts in the world it makes us vulnerable. Teaching requires us to show up and be present, putting ourselves at risk of being judged, condemned, or rejected. But in our vulnerability is our power. Motivated by the love I feel for my subject and students, teaching…
In a letter to the president of the Fetzer Institute, Jacob Needleman wrote: “[I believe] that the group is the art form of the future. In our present culture, the main need is for a form that can enable human beings to share their perceptions and through that sharing, to become a conduit for the…
One way to enter into the deep symbolic language of our soul is through a fairy tale. When we write a fairy tale, the words “Once upon a time” opens up a portal to another world. It takes us into shamanic terrain. Every fairy tale is psychologically significant. The narrative and images that show up…
I just finished reading Henry Corbin’s 1969 book, Creative Imagination in the Sufism of Ibn ‘Arabi. It had been sitting on my shelf for over two years. I’m glad it waited for me, because what I learned is something that I’ve always wanted to know–the imagination is REAL. It’s not make-believe. We’re not “just imagining”…
Just finished reading Patti Smith’s book Just Kids. It’s been on my shelf for awhile and I’m so glad I finally got to it. The book is very inspiring… she’s a great writer and has had a fascinating life. Her relationship with Mapplethorpe was instructive about how we can truly create space for one another…