How do I know when I have an inspired idea? The feeling behind the idea.
I remember when I was in college and was starting in the area of psychological research. It was my first research course in fact, and I had been researching an idea about personality and relationships. There were a number of creative ideas that I had been playing with, one that we re-enact the patterns from our most recent relationship in our next relationship. I had noticed this in my own behavior. I was looking into this, but didn’t find any supportive literature at the time in 1992, but I did find an interesting theory in sociobiology by E.O. Wilson. I actually was more attracted to the idea that our experiences shaped our behavior, and he, on the other hand pointed to deep biological difference as the factor. My data supported his theory. But this was not the inspired idea, in fact, it is hard to remember the exact idea at all. I remember the moment, walking in the courtyard by the psychology building. It was an indescribable feeling. The incredible sense of “I get it!” It was an expansion of consciousness in that moment, and a feeling of confidence (I would say competence, but it was more expansive than that, not just being able to do something, but feeling the power of my own thinking). I believe this was the power of an inspired idea. What it feels like. Since then, I have had dozens of inspired ideas. I recognize the feeling right away and it moves me into action. Some of my ideas involve others, and since the other did not go through the thinking process as I had, they may never have reached the point of that feeling of insight. Insight is really a wonderful word to describe it, as it feels as though I am seeing into something new and powerful. A vision of the future, or of how something works. But when sharing with another, if the idea falls flat, it can burst like a balloon. It can take all the energy out of the idea in one fell swoop. So be careful in sharing your inspired ideas. They need time to grow and you need to nurture them carefully as they gain size and clarity. If you share your idea too soon, you may lose the confidence you will need to move that idea into the world. Have faith my friends. Inspired ideas come and go. When something moves you, allow it to grow within you and nurture it well. You are the custodian of this marvelous piece of the universal field of consciousness. You were chosen to share it with the world. Take heart, and make a commitment to it and you will create the world you want to live in.
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I was listening to a recent interview with Amit Goswami presented by Lauren Galey on The Quantum Brain. He starts off by saying that the brain is limited. It is a machine. There is another aspect of consciousness, he explains, and this is the Quantum Brain. The quantum brain goes beyond the brain. It is basically our higher conscious awareness that learns to use the brain effectively. The quantum brain is about tuning in to all of our potentialities. Basically, using the quantum brain, allows us to live our best life. One thing he said, in order to reach the quantum state, was to soften the control of the brain. He stated that first step to this is to act creatively. The act of being creative allows us to engage in higher wisdom, to work effectively with the brain. It is the beginning of using our awareness and intention effectively. In his book Quantum Creativity, Dr. Goswami refers to creativity as the life-line to the consciousness field. "When we recognize consciousness as the central theme of the universe, it becomes clear that creativity is our lifeline to that consciousness." Listening to him describe the quantum brain reminded me of an aspect of our being that I call the Creative Self. I feel this aspect of our self is connected to the divine. It is connected to the consciousness field, to so much more than our limited brain's conception of reality. The Creative Self has access to this quantum field and helps to draw from this rich limitless source. This is why creative endeavors feel so much like they are coming through, rather than from me. This is why they feel connected to the divine (the limitless source). Dr. Goswami also states, that the brain is endlessly presenting us with possibilities in the form of thoughts, but because we are not consciously participating in the selection of these thoughts, we are collapsing the wave of all possibilities in a haphazard way. That is no way to live one's life. So how can we use creativity to live our best life? We must begin to strengthen the power of our active engagement with creation we start to learn how to interact with the full range of potentialities. We can learn to focus our lens, and collapse the wave of all possibilities around that which we truly want to see. Creativity is a cognitive capacity. One of the highest capacities we can develop in ourselves. Everyone has this capacity, but it needs to be exercised and developed. There is not better time to start to develop your creative muscle than the present. It is the new year, and each year I have been giving myself a creative challenge. This past year was to write one song, one poem and create one drawing each day. It was a fulfilling and life-affirming experience. This year I decided to write every day. Hence, the appearance of this current blog entry. Why not join in the fun and start your own creative challenge today? All you need to do is set aside one hour a day for some creative activity. Writing, poetry, song writing, drawing, dancing, any form of creative endeavor you choose. Notice what comes through as you play in the quantum field of all possibilities. Happy 2022! |
Abigail LarrisonEducator, Scientist and Art Maker. The purpose of all life is to spread joy. What brings more joy than making art? Archives
November 2023
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