Poet T.S. Eliot called inspiration “the mystical quality of creativity.” But where does inspiration come from?
One definition of inspiration is “a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation.” Do we need to be helped in order to experience divine illumination?” If we ask for help from God, or a Divine source, we may very well receive it if, first and foremost, we’re open to receiving it and believe that we will. Do we know for certain that it is God, or a Divine presence that has answered our prayer or request? What is certain is what we believe.
When it comes to creativity, however, we know that many artists get blocked in their artistry. If it were that easy to call upon God, or a Divine presence to ignite it, we’d have many more artists enjoying the bounty from their creative wells. When creativity eludes us, I believe the reason is primarily the stagnant or low energy of our spirit because we haven’t tended to its needs.
Our soul yearns for creative expression. Each of us, in our own way, is an artist. As author Don Miguel Ruiz said, “Every human is an artist. And this is the main art that we have: the creation of our story.”
What do we wish our story to be? This is where the mystical comes in. We each have a story to tell, whether we tell it in a book, on a canvas, or by composing a piece of music. Why not tell it ignited by divine inspiration? But can we ignite it ourselves, or do we need help? It depends.
Some people are able to tap into a powerful energy source for stimulation and motivation to get their creative juices going. For others, they wait for the magic to come to them. But what do you do when you want the magic to come? You sit quietly, breathe, and go within to the most magical place of all — yourself.
This is the first step of practicing Mindfulness, a practice that allows you to access the magic within whenever you desire. Yet you must stay open and in a state of heightened awareness. Inspired magic is yours to experience.
Perhaps this can also occur when we do nothing, and the mystical experience happens unexpectedly. But what we do know is that there’s an openness, a readiness to receive something magical. What we can feel at the core of our being is a blast of inspiration, which then enables us to realize a divine influence or action that can qualify us to receive and communicate sacred revelation, as inspiration has been defined. These mystical experiences can ignite our soul, which not only has the power to transform our life, but can also spark our creativity to such a degree that there’s no limit to what can be created.
Perhaps this can also occur when we do nothing, and the mystical experience happens unexpectedly, but what we know is that there is an openness, a readiness to receive something magical. What we can feel at the core of our being is a blast of inspiration, which then enables us to realize “a divine influence or action” that can qualify us to “receive and communicate sacred revelation,” as inspiration has been defined. These mystical experiences can ignite our soul, which not only has the power to transform our life but can also spark our creativity to such a degree, that there’s no limit to what can be created.
Could a masterpiece like the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel painted by Michelangelo have been a result of receiving divine inspiration?
Here is a meditation to open yourself to receive creative inspiration. Again, this is not something we can “demand.” Instead, we are allowing for a “divine influence” to come forward.
1. Find a quiet place to sit.
2. Close your eyes.
3. Take a few deep breaths in and out.
4. Say silently, “I am surrendering to my authentic self.”
5. Say silently, “My creativity lives in the truth of my soul.”
6. Say silently, “I am open for a divine influence to come forward.”
7. Say silently, “I am ready for the mystical union of creativity to take place.”
8. Imagine an energy of inspiration rushing through you like a bolt of electric light.
9. Immerse yourself in the energy and feel the light shining within.
10. When you’re ready, open your eyes.
Don’t wait to get unblocked, or inspired, but avail yourself to the inspiration that can ignite you. When you do, you’ll know because it will feel like a powerful burst of energy is suddenly moving through you and awakening every cell of your being. Was it God? A Divine presence? You can decide.
**Originally published at Simply Woman