Author: Kim Hermanson

DALL·E 2024 12 04 13.16.26 A vibrant and playful abstract image representing the concept of imagination. The design features swirling, colorful shapes like waves, spirals, and s
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The reality of imagination: Insights from Henry Corbin, Sufi wisdom, and Carl Jung

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, waiting patiently for the right time. I’m glad I finally picked it up, because it confirmed something I’ve long suspected but never fully understood: imagination is real. It’s not…

Remembering the vision of the heart: Balancing mind and inspiration
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Remembering the vision of the heart: Balancing mind and inspiration

Lately, I’ve been immersed in preparing materials for some upcoming academic classes. I love diving into the world of ideas, but I’ve learned it’s not a place I want to live. It’s easy to get stuck in the mind, forgetting the beauty and vision that inspire us in the first place. A wise guide once…

DALL·E 2024 12 04 13.22.32 A vibrant and symbolic illustration of key images in creativity, featuring elements like a spider web, ocean waves, fertile soil, and blooming plants

Discovering your Key image: The heart of creative inspiration

There was a child went forth every day.And the first object he looks upon, that object he became.–Walt Whitman The late poet Stanley Kunitz believed that writers often have a “key image” that threads through their work, shaping their creative journey. He suggested that writers might spend an entire lifetime exploring a single key image,…

DALL·E 2024 12 04 13.26.44 A vibrant and colorful abstract illustration symbolizing the creative process, featuring swirling shapes, bright bursts of color, and a central glowin
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Embracing self-doubt as a creative ally: Insights on courage and creativity

I’ve never been a naturally confident person, and sometimes I wonder about that. Every creative thing I’ve done has required inner courage—pushing through a persistent voice that whispers there’s nothing of value here. It’s an exhausting pattern: I dismiss and deny my own work, and then I look at confident people and assume they’re more…

DALL·E 2024 12 04 13.31.00 A minimalist, colorful abstract image representing the concept of inspiration and collective creativity. The design features vibrant rays of light rad

Why Inspiration matters more than information: Lessons from leadership & creativity

In addition to feeling delighted by the new president-elect, I’ve been deeply inspired by the creative visions and voices that emerged during the campaign and beyond. People are on fire, and I love it. Early in the primaries, syndicated columnist Mark Shields highlighted a key distinction between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama: “If you’re looking…

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