I spent last summer following the program of a wonderful self-help workbook—The Artists’ Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity, by Julia Cameron. This book had been mentioned to me by several gifted, creative people I know, an expert on color and fashion trends, a painter, a young actor, but I am not an artist. How could I presume to read this book?
Finally, a friend lent it to me. It sat on my desk while I circled it from a distance for some time. Then, on a restless and dissatisfied day, with no good mystery books around to read (and feeling a deep sense of boredom with television), I opened it. For the following twelve weeks—the length of the program—I was totally engrossed, energized and delighted.
The Artists’ Way presents, first of all, a sense of spirituality similar to that in a 12-step program. It is a welcoming, nurturing approach, not a set of rules and the sense that at any moment you will break one and be doomed. It demands no agreement with a particular set of beliefs. The message is that if we believe in a loving universe, believe in our own unique creativity and that of others, and understand that there is enough for all-many things are possible.
The book contains chapters with wonderful names like: "Recovering a Sense of Possibility," "Recovering a Sense of Abundance" and "Recovering a Sense of Strength." They are followed by playful and intriguing tasks. These exercises clear away old pain and resentments, and clarify our true dreams and preferences-paving the way for self-expression.
The word "tools" is emphasized, tools that enable the recovery of self and a flow of creative energy. There is a theme throughout the book of playfulness and joy.
One tool is called ‘the morning pages,’ writing three pages, longhand, when you wake up. What do you write? Anything! You just "show up at the page." Addressing the things that are on your mind, your "inner film" will "render you present" in the day to come. Another tool is the "artist date." You take yourself-your inner artist-somewhere that genuinely pleases you, to fill the well with experiences and images. This can-but need not-involve "hoity-toity" art. You can go to a museum, but you can also buy glitter and glue at a 99 cent store, or browse in a toy shop. Ms. Cameron uses the metaphor of a boat out on the water-in the morning pages you send out an S.O.S. On the artist date you turn on your radio so that you can receive answers!
Ms. Cameron also talks about the need for a "believing mirror" when self-doubt creeps in. When you hear yourself saying "You can’t do that-who do you think you are, anyway?" it is crucial to have a trusted voice saying "Of course you can!"
There are lines and phrases from The Artists’ Way that I have found to give both comfort and courage. "I forgive myself for all failures of timing, nerve, and initiative." The point being that it is hard to move forward if you are filled with regret and anger at yourself. "As we open our creative channel to the creator, many gentle but powerful changes are to be expected." My creativity heals myself and others… my work comes to good."
I write about this book because I had not realized before the power of taking a personal self-help journey. Staking out a pathway, faithfully following it along and enriching one’s life, gives a tremendous sense of independence, of setting one’s own direction, and of personal power.
I used to avoid the self-help sections of libraries and bookstores. I thought it would be like studying calculus or physics. I’d learn about what I should do, but couldn’t do. I was more than surprised. I discovered that a well-chosen self-help book-one that fits at a particular moment of your life, one that has warmth and most especially humor—can teach you how to nurture and cherish the self that you are. It can provide the sun and soil and nourishment to make your personal garden grow and flourish.
Friday, December 2, 2011
On Self-Help Books: Gentle But Powerful Changes
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Friday, December 2, 2011
On Self-Help Books: Gentle But Powerful Changes
I spent last summer following the program of a wonderful self-help workbook—The Artists’ Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity, by Julia Cameron. This book had been mentioned to me by several gifted, creative people I know, an expert on color and fashion trends, a painter, a young actor, but I am not an artist. How could I presume to read this book?
Finally, a friend lent it to me. It sat on my desk while I circled it from a distance for some time. Then, on a restless and dissatisfied day, with no good mystery books around to read (and feeling a deep sense of boredom with television), I opened it. For the following twelve weeks—the length of the program—I was totally engrossed, energized and delighted.
The Artists’ Way presents, first of all, a sense of spirituality similar to that in a 12-step program. It is a welcoming, nurturing approach, not a set of rules and the sense that at any moment you will break one and be doomed. It demands no agreement with a particular set of beliefs. The message is that if we believe in a loving universe, believe in our own unique creativity and that of others, and understand that there is enough for all-many things are possible.
The book contains chapters with wonderful names like: "Recovering a Sense of Possibility," "Recovering a Sense of Abundance" and "Recovering a Sense of Strength." They are followed by playful and intriguing tasks. These exercises clear away old pain and resentments, and clarify our true dreams and preferences-paving the way for self-expression.
The word "tools" is emphasized, tools that enable the recovery of self and a flow of creative energy. There is a theme throughout the book of playfulness and joy.
One tool is called ‘the morning pages,’ writing three pages, longhand, when you wake up. What do you write? Anything! You just "show up at the page." Addressing the things that are on your mind, your "inner film" will "render you present" in the day to come. Another tool is the "artist date." You take yourself-your inner artist-somewhere that genuinely pleases you, to fill the well with experiences and images. This can-but need not-involve "hoity-toity" art. You can go to a museum, but you can also buy glitter and glue at a 99 cent store, or browse in a toy shop. Ms. Cameron uses the metaphor of a boat out on the water-in the morning pages you send out an S.O.S. On the artist date you turn on your radio so that you can receive answers!
Ms. Cameron also talks about the need for a "believing mirror" when self-doubt creeps in. When you hear yourself saying "You can’t do that-who do you think you are, anyway?" it is crucial to have a trusted voice saying "Of course you can!"
There are lines and phrases from The Artists’ Way that I have found to give both comfort and courage. "I forgive myself for all failures of timing, nerve, and initiative." The point being that it is hard to move forward if you are filled with regret and anger at yourself. "As we open our creative channel to the creator, many gentle but powerful changes are to be expected." My creativity heals myself and others… my work comes to good."
I write about this book because I had not realized before the power of taking a personal self-help journey. Staking out a pathway, faithfully following it along and enriching one’s life, gives a tremendous sense of independence, of setting one’s own direction, and of personal power.
I used to avoid the self-help sections of libraries and bookstores. I thought it would be like studying calculus or physics. I’d learn about what I should do, but couldn’t do. I was more than surprised. I discovered that a well-chosen self-help book-one that fits at a particular moment of your life, one that has warmth and most especially humor—can teach you how to nurture and cherish the self that you are. It can provide the sun and soil and nourishment to make your personal garden grow and flourish.
Finally, a friend lent it to me. It sat on my desk while I circled it from a distance for some time. Then, on a restless and dissatisfied day, with no good mystery books around to read (and feeling a deep sense of boredom with television), I opened it. For the following twelve weeks—the length of the program—I was totally engrossed, energized and delighted.
The Artists’ Way presents, first of all, a sense of spirituality similar to that in a 12-step program. It is a welcoming, nurturing approach, not a set of rules and the sense that at any moment you will break one and be doomed. It demands no agreement with a particular set of beliefs. The message is that if we believe in a loving universe, believe in our own unique creativity and that of others, and understand that there is enough for all-many things are possible.
The book contains chapters with wonderful names like: "Recovering a Sense of Possibility," "Recovering a Sense of Abundance" and "Recovering a Sense of Strength." They are followed by playful and intriguing tasks. These exercises clear away old pain and resentments, and clarify our true dreams and preferences-paving the way for self-expression.
The word "tools" is emphasized, tools that enable the recovery of self and a flow of creative energy. There is a theme throughout the book of playfulness and joy.
One tool is called ‘the morning pages,’ writing three pages, longhand, when you wake up. What do you write? Anything! You just "show up at the page." Addressing the things that are on your mind, your "inner film" will "render you present" in the day to come. Another tool is the "artist date." You take yourself-your inner artist-somewhere that genuinely pleases you, to fill the well with experiences and images. This can-but need not-involve "hoity-toity" art. You can go to a museum, but you can also buy glitter and glue at a 99 cent store, or browse in a toy shop. Ms. Cameron uses the metaphor of a boat out on the water-in the morning pages you send out an S.O.S. On the artist date you turn on your radio so that you can receive answers!
Ms. Cameron also talks about the need for a "believing mirror" when self-doubt creeps in. When you hear yourself saying "You can’t do that-who do you think you are, anyway?" it is crucial to have a trusted voice saying "Of course you can!"
There are lines and phrases from The Artists’ Way that I have found to give both comfort and courage. "I forgive myself for all failures of timing, nerve, and initiative." The point being that it is hard to move forward if you are filled with regret and anger at yourself. "As we open our creative channel to the creator, many gentle but powerful changes are to be expected." My creativity heals myself and others… my work comes to good."
I write about this book because I had not realized before the power of taking a personal self-help journey. Staking out a pathway, faithfully following it along and enriching one’s life, gives a tremendous sense of independence, of setting one’s own direction, and of personal power.
I used to avoid the self-help sections of libraries and bookstores. I thought it would be like studying calculus or physics. I’d learn about what I should do, but couldn’t do. I was more than surprised. I discovered that a well-chosen self-help book-one that fits at a particular moment of your life, one that has warmth and most especially humor—can teach you how to nurture and cherish the self that you are. It can provide the sun and soil and nourishment to make your personal garden grow and flourish.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
0 comments:
Post a Comment