Risky.

Sensing this for years, I kept my creativity under wraps, like a small plant, barely watered and kept in a small pot on the far corner of a windowsill. I viewed creativity as something to do “when I had time” in the pursuit of happiness which I defined as, “making sure all the bases were covered.” You know, money, healthcare, and stuff. Through The Artist’s Way, however, I have begun to see that that creativity is not an adjunct to a fulfilling life. It is the foundation of it.

My plant has started growing again, the exercises providing its essential water and nourishment, and at this point it’s threatening to burst open its tiny clay pot and make a mess all over the kitchen of my life. I had better repot it fast, preferably, in the garden outside where it can grow freely. Time will tell if I have done that successfully.

Magic. I had been thinking for some days that I wanted to see my friend’s art studio. She had become the icon of “artist” to me because she works with traditional media, does it out of love, and endures financial insecurity and the judgments of a society that fundamentally doesn’t grok her lifestyle – all in the name of authenticity. So, I was driving to a bodywork appointment, yesterday, in a part of town I rarely frequent – the River Arts Disctrict. I still had about fifteen minutes before my appointment when I felt the urge to drive to the far end of the district. This made little sense to my mind since, as far as I knew, it was just empty warehouses down there. Nonetheless, I did it, coming nearly to the end when I encountered someone walking towards a building in the rain. Guess who it was? Yeah. That’s when I made the arrangements to see her studio after my appointment.

Transpersonal. This path isn’t personal. It’s transpersonal. It beckons us towards a deeper intimacy with our true self, which is simultaneously within us and beyond us. It is the daemon of Elizabeth Gilbert, the muse of Mozart, the genius of Einstein, and it runs through us all as intuition. Follow it and we discover that synchronicity is paradigm, that there is an invisible thread tying us all together in the most benevolent ways. So, if you’re ready for this experience I might recommend buying the book. If you’re ready to face your fears, phobias, and ultimately, your freedom, then I urge you to take this course. If you’re ready to make authenticity the centerpiece of your life, go sign up now. It starts working on you the moment you make the commitment.

For more articles like this visit https://nickandrea19.wordpress.com/. Thanks!

The course is based on the premise that each one of us is creative by nature.  As Julia says:

We are all creative. Creativity is a natural life force that all can experience in one form or another. Just as blood is part of our physical body and is nothing we must invent, creativity is part of us and we each can tap into the greater creative energies of the universe and pull from that vast, powerful spiritual wellspring to amplify our own individual creativity.

Our course follows the spirit of Julia’s work faithfully.  Our purpose is to provide support and guidance through the sometimes daunting 12 week commitment as well as add the essential element of in-person community that Julia emphasizes in her notes.  In addition, we incorporate hands on projects, gentle movement breaks, and weekly reminder emails.  Learn more about our course.

The musicians came from all walks of life, tobacco farmers, nurses, lawyers, mechanics, truck drivers, plumbers. If you asked any one of them what they did, they would say, “I play music.” Because they loved playing music, the question of their creativity identities never came up.

Playing music was second nature. It never occurred to any of them to think they weren’t musicians. They threw themselves into the old songs like, Sweet Georgia Brown, Bill Bailey, Old Joe Clarke, Cripple Creek, Down Yonder, Tennessee Waltz, Lonesome Road Blues, and Alabama Jubilee.

They never worried about playing the songs perfectly. They didn’t think about going pro, nor did they play for money. “Creative Block” was not a term you’d find in their vocabulary. They played music. They did it all the time. They were musicians.

Regardless of the creative form you work in, like the musicians, when you show up and do the work (play if you will) your creative identity will find you more than you will find it.

Best of luck . . .

The first thing I thought of was it has given me the space to hear the creative voice. The tool of the morning pages has been a phenomenal aid in clearing out the static of old thoughts and habits that were holding me back from being creative.

Next, it’s given me huge enthusiasm for the process of creativity. I can play now. I play often, and most importantly, I love to play creatively! Play is such an important aspect of creativity – it defeats the problem of perfectionism and lightens up our whole being!

I am also receptive to being successful. Before this process, there were parts of myself working against me being totally successful. Lack of self-confidence in my talents and my creativity were the source of this problem. The Artist’s Way removed those false ideas and gave me the foundation to move forward with a smile and ability to meet challenges with anticipation and enthusiasm, not fear and self-doubt.

It’s also had a great effect on my relationships, both personal and professional. I am calmer, happier, clearer, focused and centered (note: I am still human, so not all the time!). I am more able to admit my problems and then solve them!

I also have a higher degree of skill in living in a world of compassion and kindness for myself and others.

Lastly, I have gained the knowledge and skill to call myself a writer! I have found a love and lots of joy in writing that I have never had in my whole life. I can now say I am a writer by heart and that makes me smile, inside and out.

What can The Artist’s Way bring you? Join our next session, starting Feb. 7th, 6-8 p.m. at Asheville Community Yoga. You can register now!

Most meetings include “check in” time, creative sharing, discussion of the book, and hands on activities.

While you certainly don’t need to take a course to benefit from using this book, our experience is that the commitment that comes from paying for the course makes it much more likely for people to actually complete it and the community aspect makes it much more fun!

If you want to start your own group or go it alone, we recommend our upcoming workshop: Secrets of The Artist’s Way: Tips, Tricks, and Expert Advice for Successfully Completing The Artist’s Way.  Just $15 for all of  our best advice up front, and that $15 can be applied to tuition for the entire course if you decide to attend.

Have you always wanted to do The Artist’s Way but never knew how to get started?
Have you started and not finished?
Do you have questions or want to get more of a feel for what the course will be like?
Do you plan to start a group of your own and want advice on that?

Let Mado Hesselink and Anna Ferguson, who have guided hundreds of students through The Artist’s Way give you all of their secrets on how to complete the course. We will cover tips, tricks and give you expert advice on all the challenges the course offers.  Come join us!

Monday, May 7th.
5:30-7:00p.m.
Town and Mountain Realty
261 Asheland Avenue.
Cost: $15

This is a one-time fee for the get together on May 7th.  If you decide to join us for the full 12 weeks and register that evening, this fee will be discounted from your cost for the course. This session is highly recommended for all people who plan to attend a 12 week course with us

Register for Secrets of The Artist’s Way

]]> http://artistwayasheville.com/secrets-of-the-artists-way-an-experts-guide-to-completing-the-12-week-course/feed/ 0 http://artistwayasheville.com/437/ http://artistwayasheville.com/437/#comments Sat, 24 Dec 2011 20:41:23 +0000 mado http://artistwayasheville.com/?p=437 For anyone who wants to live a more dynamic, creative, exciting and productive life.

What if we told you that you were born with unlimited creative potential? What if we told you that you are the captain of your artistic journey? What if we told you that you don’t need our permission, you simply need to be You?

This is the truth we uphold, and this is the adventure we have in store for you as we invite you to take control of your creativity in The Artist’s Way Asheville 12-week course, based on Julia Cameron’s best selling book.

Each week, by way of highly effective in-class activities and exercises, eclipse your creative blocks along with your fears, self-sabotage, jealousy, guilt, perfectionism, and other nasty little pests and sidewinders. You will storm your imagination, generate ideas, amplify your artistry, and sketch out creative strategies that will keep your artistic goals on track.

Creativity is a way of life that is immensely rewarding. You can truly open to optimism and broaden your perspective. It fuels your productivity, increases your personal power, and strengthens your artistic authority. Your health improves along with your disposition, sense of self, and openness to social opportunities. You begin to slow down and relax; your intuition sharpens; you become more productive, aware, and grateful. Your innermost grace and deepest sense of joy emerge.

Join us. We’d love to have you in the course.

Questions about the course? Fill out our contact form. Or call Anna at 828-273-6617

Who: Anyone with previous experience with The Artist Way, or anyone who would like to find out more about it.
What: A party, gathering, meetup, get-together, event, shindig.
When: Sunday, January 15th 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Town and Mountain Training Center – 261 Asheland Ave
Why: To meet people who share your passion for living an artistic and spiritually fulfilling life and to inspire each other to more authenticity, creativity, and playfulness.

We will provide snacks, beverages, music, and prizes. You bring a piece of your work to share if you like, business cards, ideas, and enthusiasm. We will laugh, talk, share and inspire each other and reignite our commitment to the life of creativity.