Creativity + Imagination
Imagination - a truly creative, cognitive act. Imagination is defined as the “ability to produce and simulate novel objects, sensations, and ideas in the mind without any immediate input of the senses.” If that is not magic, I am not sure what is. That we can recreate past experiences, create or invent future and fantastic scenes, solve problems and form experiences is such a momentous gift (and perhaps a burden at times), and is clear evidence that every single one of us is creative, whether we think it or not.
Imagination is one of my key values. I want to foster my imagination, to grow my capacity to think freely, vividly, and with wonder. While our wild imaginations can be a hindrance if we choose to relentlessly reimagine events long past our ability to change, the possibility for growth and expansion with imagination is limitless! An imaginative practice can help replace limiting beliefs with liberating truths as we continuously envision a future where we thrive. Walking towards that future further enhances that liberation, and we imagine further again.
I have always had a big imagination, and in the past it has both served me well in small ways and stopped me from drowning in negativity and burn out. Today, imagination forms a huge part of my day, accompanying planning for future collections, ways I can be of service, plans for my ideal day, year, life. I imagine future courses I want to build, perhaps books I would like to write, travelling I want to do, and a life filled with abundance and success, whatever that looks like on a day to day level.
Imagination is not constrained by the practicalities of knowledge. Albert Einstein said, "Imagination ... is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world." Without imagination, we would not have fairy tales, fantasy, fiction, or science fiction - how much poorer the world would be!
Imagination, practice + process
Imagination in my art practice extends throughout the process as a whole. First, I will imagine what it is I want to create - most recently it has been the idea of Silent Flight, a collection of owl portraits. I imagined how I wanted them to look as a cohesive collection, how I wanted them to make both me, and anyone else viewing them, feel. When working on the individual pieces, I would imagine what it would feel like to touch those feathers, those beaks, those fluffy owl pantaloons, those long talons. I would imagine, then, what it might feel like to actually have those feathers - how did they feel as part of my skin, how would new feathers coming through feel, how would it feel to have the wind pushing between and under them so that I could fly? What would I see if I could fly? I also chose not to imagine what it might be like to catch a mouse in my beak!
I also like to play with imaginative realism, and a couple of years ago created a quick series of graphite sketches of ‘chimera’ (itself an imagined creature). I would combine two aspects of real creatures to make an imagined one, for example the Badger-woman, Raven-wolf and Sparrow-woman below.
As you can see above, I use my imagination in my art creating, but I also use it to create imaginative meditations. This practice can be incredibly grounding, particularly if I am feeling angst or distress. Let me walk you through a little one now.
guided meditation - imagination
(Text version)
Sit or lay in a comfortable position, somewhere where you will not be disturbed for a moment or two, can really sink into this practice, and listen only to my voice. Close your eyes. Take a few long slow breaths. In, and out. In, and out. In, and out. There is nowhere that you need to be, there is nothing that you need to do, but to be here. You are present, you feel calm and open.
Without opening your eyes, imagine that you are sitting on lush, soft green grasses, surrounded by tiny wildflowers. You are sitting beneath a large, beautiful tree, your back resting on her smooth bark. You notice that the air smells sweet - a deep earthy scent, mixed with the perfume of the wildflowers. You run your hand lightly over the tips of the grasses and flowers - they feel like feathers tickling the palm of your hand. You can feel the energy they emanate, the life force all around you. You take another deep breath and fill your lungs with the exquisite, grounding scent.
It is a bright, clear day. You feel the warmth of the sun on your face, upturned and eyes closed. You relish this feeling, the tingling warmth flowing over your face and neck and filling your heart with contentment. It is just the right temperature, neither too hot nor too cool, it is just the perfect day. You open your eyes. The sky is the type of blue that looks like it can’t possibly be real, and like it goes on forever. There are just a few wispy clouds, suspended and unmoving, they look like they are delighting on having the sun on their face too.
You hear a gentle rustling noise beside you. You are not afraid, you know that there is nothing that can harm or startle you here, here there is only peace and calm. Turning your head slightly you see you have a visitor. A white doe has walked almost all the way up to you and the tree, and she is gazing at you with soft, brown and infinitely kind eyes. You raise your arm, palm open towards her, and let her sniff you. Her whiskers dance all over the surface of your skin, and you can feel as well as hear her warm breath. She gives your palm a little lick, then settles herself next to you in the grass and flowers. You feel her wildness and warmth, her shoulder leans against your thigh and she rests her head in your lap for you to stroke her face and ears. There is no need for words, you are deeply connected, breathing together, both of you with eyes closed, a moment of complete presence with one another, peaceful, calm, deeply profound. You continue to stroke her fur gently, compassionately, and realise that in your connection, in your presence, you are soothing each other, you are soothing the land on which you sit, you are soothing the bright blue sky, you are soothing the great tree at your back. You are completely aligned. You know that everything is connected, and that you are an integral part of the web of life, just as is the doe, the tree, the grass and wildflowers, the sky and the earth.
You know that you can come back to this tree, to this clearing of grass and flowers whenever you need to. You are always welcome there, and you will always find connection there. A light smile touches your lips. You feel expansive and light, but deeply grounded. You will carry that deep sense of peace and connection with you back into your body now. Take a deep slow inhale and exhale. Wriggle your fingers and toes. And when you are ready, open your eyes.
I hope you enjoyed that little meditation, and are inspired to create some of your own to help strengthen your own imaginative life!
