I already mentioned that I’ve had a Morning Pages practice on/off since last year. But what I didn’t mention was that despite having the book on the shelf all that time, I hadn’t actually read The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron.
Well, something shifted this last wee while, and I’m on my second week right now. It has coincided with the new season of the Chopra Center 21 Day Meditation Challenge, and although I didn’t plan it that way, I’m sure it is no coincidence :: different techniques, different process, different language :: same story!
Mentioning that I was taking the course on Instagram stirred up a fair bit of interest, and a group of us have decided to work through it together. Nothing formal – but should you wish to join in, then please do – I’d love to know how the experience is for you.
I’ll be commenting on my experience via Instagram and my Facebook page, although there may also be some blogposts here from time to time. If you do end up writing about it, then I’d love for you to share a link!
What is it all about?
The Artist’s Way is a 12 week course to help you in “discovering and recovering your creative self”, presented in a book format. There is also an online community based course you can sign up to if you prefer.
There’s a high spiritual content to the book, and a lot of mention of the word Creator and God, and I wasn’t aware of this before beginning the course, but Julia brings it up right at the very beginning in the introduction;
Because The Artist’s Way is, in essence, a spiritual path … this book uses the word God. This may volatile for some of you … Please be open-minded.
So I find myself being open-minded, as in chapter 2, I am reminded (although about a different subject);
It is not necessary that we change any of our beliefs. It is necessary that we examine them.
As it happens, I’m quite comfortable about my notions of spirituality, but it did come as a surprise to me, so I thought it’d be worth mentioning.
How is it going?
I’ll be honest with you, for the first week, I was in a foul mood! Now, honestly, I’m not sure if this was just circumstantial (there’s some heavy stuff going on in the background here) or if it was triggered by the course. Thinking on it for a couple of days, I guess it is an unsurprising combination of both (and the new meditations on Mind Body Odyssey).
I’m a recovering artist <did you see what I said there? I said ‘artist’> having poured my creative energies into other peoples’ projects for about 20 years whilst neglecting my own calling (that eventually made me very unhappy, and led me here). In that sense, week one has offered me much-needed affirmation, permission, confirmation and encouragement.
It has also introduced a much needed focus, which is not project related – an unusual state of affairs to find myself in.
In between enjoying some arting, supporting friends & family and managing a little work, I’d been doing a fair bit of ranting and complaining all week long. The kind of behaviour which when I come across it in other people, I get quite cross about.
When I was doing my week 1 check-in, I realised that I was choosing the wrong mantra. That all I had to do was to start singing a different song, and things could change.
Moving deeper, I could put forward the case, that even as I am making a leap towards acknowledging my truth, I have also been getting in my own way. The ranting was not in fact coming from the real me (the real me, the artist, was busy doing what she should). It comes instead from my core negative beliefs and from a place of fear.
Scared to be vulnerable, scared to be rubbish, scared to be mocked, scared that I’ve got it wrong once more, I have been indulging in negative affirmations about how little time I have, how I don’t have the opportunity to do what I want to do.
And so I have decided to choose a different mantra. It is a bit of a muddle of some of the suggested creative affirmations in Week 1, and it goes like this;
I am a talented artist and I use my creativity to heal myself and others.
We’ll see if it has changed anything in a week’s time!
I remember hearing about this course and it sound great, Julie! How wonderful you have some friends to go through it with… hope you enjoy 🙂
Thanks Becky! It has been waiting on me for a wee while!
I love it! I can’t wait to watch the journey unfold for you. I am not sure where to begin since I did week 1-8 so I think I will revisit and see what has changed and redo what I see fit and pick a solid starting point that way.. So much was happening in my life last summer while I was doig this. Guess what, I’m an artist and a writer too. And a poet.
I’ve even gone so far as to name both my inner critic, and my artist (who I think is my inner child as well. It helps me to identify who I’m relating to and listening to, and who is speaking. My post title The Divided Self from last summer is all about these two.
Oh, I am so excited for you, and for me to return to this Truth. You ARE an artist. Own that. xo
I loved your post about your inner child this week, Sera. I know exactly what mine looks like, but hadn’t thought of naming her. She likes scooters and hula hoops. Wears knee high white socks and black mary janes. With the most adorable curls!
Here’s to us – artists and all x
Julie –
At one point in the book, well… you’ll see. 🙂
I haven’t actually dove into a specific chapter again, yet. I’ve been doing morning pages and artist dates. So important. 2 in 2 days! I’m one of those people that punishes themselves: no play unless you deserve it. And I mean really really deserve it! My childhood was filled with play. I’m uncertain where that attitude came from.
Lots on my plate through the 19th… and then scot-free. I may or may not get to a chapter and the exercises before then. But I will happily continue my morning pages and dates to set me freeeeee!!!
I have to confess I’ve only ever dipped in and out of the book too, never mind followed it as a structured course. (I think there is a suggestion you stop reading? which was beyond me)
There is a part I found by flicking where she talks about the shadow artist, and I knew this was what I’d been doing – helping others to be creative while denying my own practice.
It is liberating to declare that you in some way, shape or form, the creator of your own art.
I will reserve the right to say I told you so till later on in the course 😉
Hehehe – your words regularly spur me on, you know?
I know about that shadow artist, oh yes. And it is often a wee bit painful to think about – but then liberating also, as I am the shadow no longer x
(Julie there may be a spoiler alert in here. Some things come best as a surprise.)
I think the not reading bit (as I was a bit stunned myself) is about truly being free from needing/depending on anything for that escapism. Also, for those of us that love those “tiny little tranquilizers” as Cameron calls words, it’s a great challenge to put it down for a week – and see how much time you actually have to be creative instead. Sometimes we don’t realize how much time and energy we spend doing something, until we stop doing it, mindfully. That was my take on that exercise.
I looove this post, so inspiring. I can totally associate with all the negative beliefs, it is those same beliefs that tie my hands & words so often,
So I am going back to week one , starting again & learning to be vulnerable. Gulp hear goes! Thank you treasure for the shove 😉
I love your new mantra & it is so very true x
You are such an inspiration, Ruthie (and one of my favourite artists) – it makes me blush that you visited, but proud also to not slide completely under the table at the thought of it. x
Im on quite a personal journey right now and wish I has time for this course… Maybe in the fall. I know it will do me good. & I regret giving my copy of the book away a few years ago….. I need it back now.
I’ve stalled a wee bit this week. Or maybe not. More arting, less analysing. Sometimes i think we make it much more complicated for ourselves.
And – of course – much love to you on your adventure. I’m sure the book will arrive *just in time* x