"Creativity is God's gift to us. Using our creativity is our gift back to God," writes Julia Cameron in this 12-week guide to "discovering and recovering your creative self." Although many people still think that the artistic impulse resides only in a select few, the author, a screenplay writer, poet, and workshop leader believes that everyone can harness this energy. The first step is to find ways to support and nourish "the inner artist." Cameron has plenty of suggestions in this "spiritual chiropractic" designed to help readers "achieve alignment with the creative energy of the universe."
She recommends two foundational tools to draw out your inner artist. The first is "Morning Pages" where you write three pages of stream-of-consciousness material at the beginning of each day in order to unlock your creative juices. Another is the "Artist's Date" where you set aside a section of time, perhaps two hours every week, for feeding your creative consciousness. You can "fill the well" with new images, old memories, or bold projects never before undertaken.
Cameron maintains that when we open ourselves to exploring our creativity, we are on a spiritual path. That is why it is important to surround ourselves with people who support our imaginative pursuits. And that is why it is equally important to move beyond the inner critic who often tries to sabotage our fresh impulses. The Artist's Way contains advice that will help you keep active and fit on the royal road of creativity.
