Unblocking Writer's Block: Part III
On Creativity
After Part I and Part II, I am continuing on with Part III of this series. I was so excited to write this discussion of accessing creativity when experiencing writer’s block. Where no matter how motivated or dedicated one may be to create, the right energy doesn’t flow. However, the problem is not necessarily that the writer is blocked from creativity, but disconnected from the source . . .
The most magical and mysterious concept in this world is the imagination. The ability to visualise, conceptualise, and create within oneself is a supernatural ability most of us may take advantage of. There are only theories that can explain the magic that is creativity. It is the great mystery that holds enough power to make an innocent by-stander feel. It is art, it is a life force. And, of course, all have an imagination. Something that from darkness, kindles light, allows the blind to see, and the asleep to dream.
But what of the creative who feels they no longer possess the ability? When their depths seemingly keep the colourful pictures, new ideas, and senseless sound hidden under a trapped door or locked behind a heavily guarded gate? Alas, rejoice, writer. I say it is impossible for them to be blocked. For their imagination never leaves them, and it is, in fact, within their very nature to create. What is occurring is a disconnect from their life force—the source from which they derive their creativity. And, no worry. Of course there is a way to re-connection.
The Creative Consciousness Radio
You see, creativity seems like a mystical concept that also comes and goes. Well, it is mystical, I will tell you that much, but not provided by chance. One can, in fact, tap into one’s own creativity at will with the right tools.
It can be understood that it is our imaginations which connect us to what is called the creative consciousness—the place from which new ideas are sourced. Now, to explain in a more esoteric fashion: the creative consciousness—simultaneously within and outside of us—is like a radio that requires an aerial to catch the radio waves of thought and new ideas to broadcast them out to the selected channels. When one is in use of their creativity, one turns the dial in search of what they’d like to hear.
Know that at all times the radio is switched on and present within the individual. But it is the cause of the creative that perhaps it is dialled to the wrong frequency, and therefore, the individual must learn to turn the dial in search of the correct station to provide the answers sought.
Not Blocked, Just Disconnected
The ability to create is inherently within every human being, for it is the nature of our race. This inherent ability knows of no blockages or obstacles to dwindle it away from its goal. What instead is happening is the individual has tuned itself to a static channel. One that does not produce sound, one that is a dark and empty room with a trap door as the only way out. Therefore, the supposed creative blocks that hinder the process are nothing but illusions of obstacles that can be taken care of if only the tricks are revealed.
But the individual is a surge of energy looking within for a generator to transform it into creativity, and in that dark and empty room, there is no mechanism to convert the energy. It is surging into darkness and endlessly bouncing off the walls. No matter how much it tries to redirect itself, it still remains in the room. So, how does one find the trap door in the dark?
As stated earlier, the creative consciousness is within us all at absolutely all times, and in order to be used, this creative power within must be accessed. The journey begins with the individual aligning their actions with their goals. In respect to writing, reading and watching stories of a similar genre, and listening to soundtracks of films of a similar genre, will begin to turn the individual’s dial and align it closer to the channel required to access the creative consciousness. Then, once closer to the channel, the individual will catch glimpses of sound, and from there, the way to access the unlimited realm of ideas is to enter into a Flow State.
Many, I understand, have heard of The Flow State; a lot of spiritualists use this term to describe the trance-like state entered into when doing a repetitive or enjoyable task, when it is unrealised how much time is passing. This state is completely accessible at will. What entering the state does for the individual is removes the intellectualising, rationalising brain that overthinks when in distress from the situation and out of the way of the flow of new creative ideas.
Scourging Through the Treasures of the Creative Consciousness
For a moment now, I wish for the writer to try an activity. Perhaps this may only work for some, but I do believe it will work for all. I ask to find a ball, or an object that is easily able to be thrown. Now, stand up and throw the object in the air and catch it repetitiously. Listen to nothing. No music. No podcasts. No one. No distractions. Do nothing else but this activity for one minute. Then once the minute has expired, while still throwing and catching the object, the individual must ask the question that requires an answer and find the solution.
There is only one rule to this exercise, and that is to accept all ideas that flow. The individual should see this activity as scourging through the treasures of the creative consciousness. Every idea is a great one, but perhaps not what the individual is looking for. Eventually, and I believe within a short amount of time, an idea will propose itself, worthy and willing to be accepted into the story. Often, what is found is the perfect solution.
When performing a benign task such as throwing and catching a ball, the overthinking mind does not have capacity. The individual enters into a trance-like Flow State, which grants access to the collective creative consciousness. The mind, half-distracted, is no longer held back by the excess and disruptive thinking that guards the door to unlimited creation.
Many other activities trigger such a state and align the individual to the sought-after ideas. Walking in nature is one many attest to, however, I do find that us creatives are more in need of something to distract our hands than our feet. Whatever works for the individual may vary, but what is explicitly important is there must be a repetitive, benign-enough task that will allow the mind to nonchalantly walk beyond the distracted guards and explore the depths of creation.
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