Intuition and the Creative Flow State
Our creative genius – Where does it lie? Is it mere fiction? Do some of us have it, and some not? How can we access it? Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to your intuition and to the state of Flow. Welcome to your unblocked, unbridled creativity.
As I mentioned in the previous post, That Pesky Old Artist’s Block: Learning to Focus in the Digital Age, many of our decisions around our creative pursuits and the creative process itself are often hijacked by fear-driven emotional flotsam that we are unaware of. Learning about how our monkey minds work – namely, how the thinking monkey mind stores emotions in the body – can really help us unblock ourselves creatively because we can then learn how to uproot the hidden thought-emotions that are standing in the way of our creative pursuits.
In my experience, the majority of creative blocks we encounter as artists can only be dissolved by dealing directly with the monkey mind, through aligning with our higher Selves, through understanding the mind, and ultimately through wisdom.
With a thorough understanding of our monkey minds, along with a more centered way of being in the world, we have easier access to our higher state of mind, a kind of guidance commonly known as our creative intuition. Our creative intuition can guide us past any creative blocks that come up. Through it, we can understand the unresolved issues that are fermenting beneath the surface of our conscious minds – we can more easily ascertain the hidden source of the fear that is blocking our creativity, and then uproot that fear – because, as I mentioned previously, ALL creative blocks are born from some kind of fear.
Accessing creative intuition
When we are in our creative Flow state, fully aligned with our being, we have easy access to our creative intuition, which can come in the form of a bodily feeling, or a thought, or just a simple urge to do or say something. I would even say that when you’re in the Flow, you are being guided by your creative intuition, by something unnameable that lies beyond what you normally call ‘you.’
The elevated Flow state is the essence of creativity. It is the greatest, most magical, beatific state of mind available to you while creating in this human body. It’s the state of being that is completely unblocked and open, where the creative waters flow like a whitewater river, and the egoic mind is gone from view. It’s the blissful state where the monkey mind works for us instead of against us, obediently following the directive of the Flow state instead of trying to control the outcomes of our creative or decision-making processes. Put simply, beyond the thinking mind is where our creative genius lies.
An Easy Way to Access Your Creative Intuition
One very easy way to access your creative intuition, or higher guidance, is just to sit still, close your eyes, and become aware of the entire body at once. When you do this repeatedly, and get really comfortable with doing it, you’ll start to notice that the thinking mind is no longer really there, or it’s in the background, and there is an awareness of being, a kind of presence, that comes to the foreground. You can repeat the phrase, ‘I am,’ to bring yourself back to this state if thoughts start to come in.
In this state of aligned, focused attention on the body or on the ‘I am’ presence, lies a knowing quality that you now have access to. You can ask questions, such as, “Why am I not able to do my creative work?” If you are quiet enough you will hear or see or think an answer that comes up quite automatically. This is your direct access to your creative intuition, to your higher guidance. (Personally, I just imagine a screen in the mind’s eye, and then the words, as text, pop up on the screen as if typed by someone else that I presently cannot see.)
Keep in mind that this method takes practice for most people, so give it time, and be gentle with yourself if you don’t get it at first. With sufficient practice, it will become second nature, and you’ll be able to access your creative intuition in any moment, not just in meditation.
Exercises for Using Creative Intuition and Mindfulness to Dissolve Your Artist’s Blocks
There are a few different meditation-based exercises in my book, The Infinite Artist, that use our creative intuition or awareness/mindfulness to come into alignment and uproot negative emotions for artists who are creatively blocked. However, I will explain here the general gist of how I do it. One thing to keep in mind is that all emotions are stored in the body. And it is the emotions (the fear-based emotions) that block our creativity – not our circumstances. I repeat, our creative blocks DO NOT come from our external circumstances! (Should I say it again?)
As with any meditative practice, give this some time to work. If you don’t achieve results at first, keep with it, and you’ll soon see its profound effects.
A Simple Method to Unblock Your Creativity Using Mindfulness
- Sit with your back straight, in a chair with your feet flat on the floor, or on the floor with your legs crossed without hurting your knees. Relax your whole body, starting with your head down to your toes.
- Close your eyes and feel your whole body at once, for about 60 seconds, as if the body is just one thing, a unified whole.
- Then feel around the body for areas that feel uncomfortable or out of place in some way – pain, or tightness, or heat, tingling, etc.
- Go to one of the uncomfortable areas inside the body and hover your attention around it, holding space for it, gently. Feel its temperature, its shape, and its volume. Feel whether or not it’s moving, and what texture it has. Really get to know this area of pain or discomfort, for a couple minutes, just allowing it to be as it is without wanting to change it in any way.
- At this point, you can ask your intuition what the discomfort is about – what is the event, or memory, associated with it, and why is it here? (This is a very deep, detailed process that I only explain in detail in personal artist coaching sessions, but suffice it to say that your intuition will tell you the source of the discomfort and also help you to let it go.)
- Then ask this area of discomfort if it wants to leave the body. If it responds with a Yes, then let it dissolve and leave on its own. If it says no, just let it be there without judging it. Or if it leaves only partially, just stay with it for awhile without any judgment, just letting it be as it is. Either way, you can give it some love, or a lot of love, to encourage it to go where it wants to go. “Love heals all,” as they say.
- Finally, give yourself some love and appreciation for doing this excellent work. You can even dedicate the practice to others, wanting someone else to be free of their own stuck, negative emotions. This will make you feel even better.
Repeat this process a few times, or until you get tired or there is no more discomfort in the body. Then go back and try it again in a day or two, or in a week. The amount of time you will need for this make a significant impact will depend on the severity of your creative blocks. But the more you practice it, the better you will feel. And once you see the results you may want to do it more often.
This is a simple yet very effective way to dissolve the negative emotions that are at the core of your artist’s blocks. There are other exercises that I use to unblock myself and my coaching clients that utilize awareness and intuition with the creative process itself. I teach these methods along with ways to access your intuition that are easy and very effective. To learn more about my other unblocking methods, become an artist coaching client, or get the book.
Other ways to Access our Intuition and Creativity
Accessing your intuition and creativity is like unlocking a hidden superpower, one that can elevate your creativity and decision-making to new heights. It’s that inner voice, the gut feeling that nudges you toward a certain path, often leading to remarkable outcomes. So what are other ways we can tap into this elusive resource? Let’s explore some more practical strategies to enhance your intuitive abilities.
1. Meditate Regularly
Meditation is a powerful tool for quieting the mind and tuning into your inner self. By setting aside time each day to sit in silence, you create space for your intuition to surface. Start with just a few minutes daily, focusing on your breath, and gradually increase the duration as you become more comfortable. This practice not only reduces mental chatter but also heightens your awareness of subtle cues from within.
2. Pay Attention to Your Body
Our bodies often signal intuitive insights before our conscious minds catch on. You might experience a gut feeling, a sudden chill, or a sense of warmth when considering a decision. These physical sensations are your body’s way of communicating intuitive knowledge. By performing regular body scans—mentally noting areas of tension or comfort—you can become more attuned to these signals. Over time, this heightened bodily awareness can serve as a reliable compass in your decision-making process.
3. Reflect on Past Experiences
Think back to times when you had a hunch about something that proved to be accurate. What did that feel like? Conversely, recall instances where you ignored your gut feeling and later wished you hadn’t. By analyzing these experiences, you can identify patterns in how your intuition communicates with you, making it easier to recognize and trust in the future.
4. Engage in Creative Activities
Creativity and intuition are closely linked. Engaging in creative pursuits like painting, writing, or dancing can help you bypass the analytical mind and access deeper intuitive insights. These activities encourage a state of flow, where you’re fully immersed in the moment, allowing intuitive thoughts to emerge naturally.
5. Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness involves being fully present in the moment, observing your thoughts and feelings without judgment. This practice enhances your ability to notice subtle intuitive cues that you might otherwise overlook. Simple mindfulness exercises, such as focusing on the sensations of eating or walking, can ground you in the present and open the door to intuitive awareness.
6. Keep an Intuition Journal
Documenting your intuitive hits and misses can be incredibly insightful. Whenever you experience a strong gut feeling or an inexplicable knowing, jot it down along with the outcome. Reviewing this journal periodically can help you discern how your intuition communicates and in what situations it’s most reliable.
7. Ask Open-Ended Questions
When seeking guidance from your intuition, pose open-ended questions like, “What do I need to know about this situation?” Then, quiet your mind and allow the answers to surface without forcing them. This practice can lead to unexpected insights and solutions that your rational mind might not arrive at on its own.
8. Trust Your First Impressions
Often, your initial reaction to a person or situation is guided by intuition. While it’s essential to consider facts and logic, don’t dismiss your first impressions outright. They can provide valuable information that your conscious mind hasn’t yet processed.
9. Create a Peaceful Environment
Your surroundings can significantly impact your ability to access intuition. A cluttered or noisy environment may distract you from your inner voice. Designate a quiet, comfortable space where you can retreat for reflection and meditation, fostering a stronger connection to your intuitive self.
10. Limit Information Overload
In today’s digital age, we’re bombarded with information, which can drown out our inner guidance. Make it a habit to unplug regularly—turn off notifications, step away from social media, and spend time in nature. This digital detox allows your mind to reset, making it easier to hear your intuition.
11. Practice Patience
Developing intuition is a journey, not a destination. Be patient with yourself as you explore these practices. Over time, with consistent effort, your intuitive abilities will strengthen, leading to more confident and inspired decision-making.
By incorporating these strategies into your daily routine, you can enhance your connection to your intuition, unlocking a wellspring of creativity and inner wisdom. Remember, your intuition is a natural gift—nurture it, and it will guide you toward your highest potential.
…Go here to read the previous article to this post: That Pesky Old Artist’s Block: Learning to Focus in the Digital Age,
