It gets sticky when you start to value anything of this world. And in this world "creativity" is definitely valued, but there is nothing creative in time and space.
Only the mind is creative, and the mind does not create beyond itself. God, divine mind, created Christ in divine mind. A Course in Miracles shares that Christ has creations—yet again, they have nothing to do with time and space, they have nothing to do with form. God and Christ and the creations are all Spirit
"Even in this world we get apples from apple trees and oranges from orange trees; we get grapes from grape vines. In Heaven, you get Spirit from Spirit." —David Hoffmeister
Eternal love doesn't have anything to do with creating the temporal, with creating particular parts. Oneness is not interested in individuality—it doesn't create multiple pieces; Oneness creates Oneness! Everything that comes from God is truly creative and comes within a lineage of perfect, spiritual creation. It doesn’t have anything to do with perception. It doesn’t have anything to do with the five senses.
When we become fascinated with the experiences of the five senses whether that's the belief in boredom, variety or adventure we are captivated by the ego's wanting "more." "It does not really matter more of what..." Something "that yet might offer him a gift reality does not contain." ACIM (T-29.VIII.8.5)
We have become mesmerized with collecting experiences just the same as collecting fine china or old records. Our social media accounts are obsessed with depicting them.
You may be drawn to concepts of 4D or 5D perceiving they are better than the 3D version you are currently living? Whether you desire to astral project, get out of this hick town you've been raised in or to escape the big city slickers by heading out on the high seas. The belief that "things would be better if they were different" is what needs to be questioned. *It turns out variety is not the spice of life—forgiveness is! Creativity in this world is synonymous with individuality and uniqueness. These attributes are used to enhance the #selfconcept and render it more "valuable." They are modes of recognition and reciprocity by association beyond the monetary system. Creativity historically has broken the class glass ceiling and even momentarily opened the door in race segregation. But #creativity or the prizing of individual talent can never overcome the belief in separation and truly unite, because it is based on valuing difference, rather than sameness. The arts in and of themselves are neutral. Like everything it is what we are using them for that matters. In taking down the music is a songwriter exposing and expressing that which is heavy on his heart or attempting to "create" a hit song? Is he imagining how others will respond, or is he writing to remember Himself? "Purpose is the only choice." —David Hoffmeister The Spirit once shared with me when working on graphics for a challenging website project that "Good design is what facilitates forgiveness." Immediately all the conflict of the assignment drained out of me. Without people pleasing the team was suddenly in harmony. If there is anything supportive in what we can learn from what is commonly considered "creative" types, it is the opening to the unknown. Being "inspired by" still does not mean that the Spirit is "creating" in this world, but it does acknowledge a state of mind that is receptive to being shown what is truly helpful in a moment. Coming into a space of receptivity and softness and feeling innately cared for is the purpose of Guidance—to remember you are already loved and already have everything you could ever want or be. "Creativity" what is it for?
Children don't create—they play!
"The first step in the reversal or undoing process is the undoing of the getting concept. Accordingly, the Holy Spirit's first lesson was "To have, give all to all." I said that this is apt to increase conflict temporarily, and we can clarify this still further now. At this point, the equality of having and being is not yet perceived. ... This means conflicting motivation, and so the lesson cannot be learned consistently as yet." A Course in Miracles (T-6.V.B.3)
"Having and being are the same." So a singular purpose for everything is the only way to ensure a consistent outcome in experience. We have all come with mixed motivations to a creative project and so have mixed results. In exposing the beliefs and desires that are present and the outcomes we both hope for and fear we can raise to awareness easily where we are working against ourselves. In handing any desire over to the Holy Spirit to Guide we are immediately freed up from these conflicts because we have restored our desire to a singular desire, the Peace of God. After all is said and done in every life isn't this the goal?
No one takes on any project as monumental as writing a book or making a movie for momentarily relief—yet with the ego's use of "creativity" that's all it offers. A temporary suspension of fear before the need for more "creativity" returns. It's actually a vicious cycle. It doesn't hold the satisfaction it promises. Unless the joy is restored to simply "being" with the Spirit, Inspired by Love and flowing in that state of mind then means and end are not together. Even hope of an exalted result will rob us of peace now and then because the "creative" project has become outcome driven.
"Remember that the Holy Spirit is the Answer, not the question." ACIM (T-6.IV.1)
Acceptance of that Answer is our function whatever our gifts and abilities. Don't let them blind you to what has already been "Given." It is your birthright to #KnowThySelf.
"That question, "What are you?" was the beginning of doubt. The ego has never answered any questions since, although it has raised a great many. The most inventive activities of the ego have never done more than obscure the question, because you have the answer and the ego is afraid of you." ACIM (T-6.IV.2.7-9)
So let's allow even our "creative" pursuits to be handed over to the Spirit to harness for present peace. Let us not presume that the outcomes of seemingly great works of struggle are more valuable than those activities performed in peace and certainty. If we recognize our valuing system is askew then we can humbly align once more with the Creator.
Christ is in constant extension of it's creations. Our function is to be as a hollowed reed undoing the blocks to the awareness of loves presence. Played through.
Forgiveness—surrender of this illusory separate will—is the most "creative" act that we can offer. The potters clay of our day molded by One who deeply love's us, One who knows what's best for all in every seeming circumstance.
"A wise teacher teaches through approach, not avoidance. He does not emphasize what you must avoid to escape from harm, but what you need to learn to have joy." ACIM (T-6.V.3)
In Chapter 30 "Rules for Decision" Jesus shares how to have a happy day. In choosing the qualities of the day you would like and committing to making no decisions by yourself then that is the kind of day you are guaranteed to experience. It doesn't get better than that!
"I do not foster level confusion." In A Course in Miracles Jesus shares that you cannot separate yourself from truth, from Christ, from God, by giving autonomy to behavior. You are not even in control of your body! You can only control the direction of your thinking. You can align yourself with God or with the ego. That’s going to take away a lot of guilt about being personally responsible for "your art."
Jesus will take care of behavior automatically as soon as you place what you think under His guidance. "Whenever you are afraid, it is a sure sign that you have allowed your mind to miscreate and have not allowed me to guide it." ACIM (T-2.VI.2.10)
In Heaven, there is only Creation, pure Spirit, pure Love, pure Light. When you believe you can take your God-given mind and make form, make a cosmos of time and space, make anything, make dinner, make a movie, make love... you are trying to miscreate. You could never misuse the power of God. What Jesus is sharing is that this is an ego attempt at something that is thankfully impossible. The misdirected miracle impulse however is dispiriting. Jesus cautions in Chapter 2 that if you keep your mind focused on the past and remain obsessed with feeling angry, sad and guilty or maintain your worry and concern about the future, then you are putting way too much attention on the bodies time line. You don’t have to put all this effort into the care and the maintenance of the body and what it does because the body doesn’t matter. "Yet I have said already that only constructive acts should be involuntary. My control can take over everything that does not matter, while my guidance can direct everything that does, if you so choose."ACIM (T-2.VI.9) Jesus will handle what doesn’t matter. You are only messing with "effects." And putting your mind energy into, "How do I choose the best effects?" When Jesus is telling us they are all meaningless anyway. Stop trying to manifest illusions to get peace. Give your desires over to me and I will orchestrate time and space for you to have many miracles in your life and artistic whims while you accept the atonement. That is how you awake up from the dream, by following instructions.
I first found A Course in Miracles through scriptwriter Julia Cameron's book "The Artists Way" a book devoted to helping "creatives" undo writers block. I devotedly followed her 12-week self study course and it worked for that purpose. It also opened my mind to my real Calling and led me to ACIM. And now by following the teachings of A Course in Miracles a happy outcome to all things is assured. "Time is a trick, a sleight of hand, a vast illusion in which figures come and go as if by magic. Yet there is a plan behind appearances that does not change. The script is written. When experience will come to end your doubting has been set. For we but see the journey from the point at which it ended, looking back on it, imagining we make it once again; reviewing mentally what has gone by." ACIM Lesson 158 A happy outcome is assured because only happiness is real. Forgiveness lets go of the interference that blinds us to the joy and love that is ever present.
Lesson 292 ~ A happy outcome to all things is sure. "God's promises make no exceptions. And He guarantees that only joy can be the final outcome found for everything. Yet it is up to us when this is reached; how long we let an alien will appear to be opposing His. And while we think this will is real, we will not find the end He has appointed as the outcome of all problems we perceive, all trials we see, and every situation that we meet. Yet is the ending certain. For God's Will is done in earth and Heaven. We will seek and we will find according to His Will, which guarantees that our will is done.
We thank You, Father, for Your guarantee of only happy outcomes in the end. Help us not interfere, and so delay the happy endings You have promised us for every problem that we can perceive; for every trial we think we still must meet." A Course in Miracles (W-pII.292.1-2)
REFERENCES:
David Hoffmeister quotes to learn more about this eminent ACIM teacher visit: DavidHoffmeister.com
*. Proverbial saying, late 18th century; originally as a quotation from the English poet William Cowper (1731–1800) in The Task (1785): 'Variety's the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavor. #PurposeIsTheOnlyChoice #DavidHoffmeister #ACIMLive #LiveACIM #Creativity #Creation #ACourseInMiracles #ACIMquotes #TheArtistsWay #JuliaCameron #WritersBlock #Awareness #Ego #God #Jesus #Spirit #Inspired #in8spirit #SarahStClaire #Love #Fear #Happiness #Mindfulness #Awakening #Enlightenment #Artist #NonDuality #Nondual #SingerSongwriter #Dancer #Writer #Entertainer #Actor #Onesness #Light #Live