Artifact 9: Creative Spirituality
Artifact 9 Creative Spirituality
Objectives
- Become familiar with ways in which spirituality influences artists
- Discuss the differences between spirituality and religion
- Examine spirituality as a generative force and a well spring for creativity
- How do you define “spirituality”?
For me spirituality means connecting with something outside the physical world that serves as a guidepost for how I live my life. My spirituality definitely has roots in the Jewish tradition in which I was raised but I don’t believe it is the same thing as religion (see question #2). These unseen but deeply felt guideposts are like an invisible border around my values and they make themselves known when I stray from them in either thought or action. They help me remember to be kind even when I don’t feel like it and to think carefully before judging others. They remind me to be open to what the world has to offer and to show up every day with gratitude.
- Does spirituality differ from religion?
Yes, spirituality definitely differs from religion. I think religion in general or a specific religion (like Judaism) is defined as such because it has a specific framework with shared beliefs, common rituals, and sometimes strict rules about who is “in” the group and who is “out.” Religion is more about a particular community or group. I see spirituality as more of an individual thing that gets developed over time as someone grows, matures, and experiences life. However, I do think spirituality and religion are related. For example, I don’t think of myself as a religious person even though I was raised Jewish and believe deeply in many Jewish values and traditions. My spirituality is connected to these values, as well as others not unique to Judaism, but it is unique to me.
- How do you define “creativity”?
I think there are many ways to demonstrate creativity including doing something outside established norms, breaking or bending rules, or approaching situations in ways previously unexplored. Acts of creativity can have huge impact such as Steve Jobs’ creation of the Mac or Pete Frates creation of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge . But, I also think there are less well-known or even unknown acts of creativity that happen everyday because people take a different approach to something. I am reminded of my roommate Arianna when I filmed her for our unit on food as art. She is a fantastic baker and she tries new things all the time. So, creativity can be public or personal and have great influence or none at all.
- What is the source of creativity?
I think the source of one’s creativity is as individual as the person doing the creating. For some it might be their passion for a particular endeavor like baking or painting. For others it might be something they physically experience, as Grey describes in our reading Deeply Seeing, and it drives them to paint, draw, or sculpt in a particular way. Still others are moved by existing works of art or music and get inspired to create their own. I think nature and the physical word also serves as inspiration for creativity.
When I first completed this assignment and certainly in rereading it and my response, I couldn’t help but think about the one significant religious endeavor I have undertaken – preparing for my Bat Mitzvah. Even though I was raised in a Jewish home, our family focus was definitely more on culture and the human values associated with Judaism than on the specific religious laws. Yet, in thinking back to my process and rereading my drash (the sermon or talk one prepares in interpreting that week’s Torah portion) I remembered being very aware, even at age thirteen, of the difference between religion and spirituality. It was my choice to become a Bat Mitzvah but I do recall being certain that the process for me was about values and not so much about “being” Jewish or religious.
In my initial response I talk about spirituality as the guideposts for how I try and live my life. I’m not always successful but I do think about this often. Although I have had many experiences and matured some since my Bat Mitzvah, I was pleased to reread my teenage reflections and see a great deal of consistency. Here is an excerpt I find particularly relevant to this post:
So whether we are reading about God’s actions with Moses, or my coach’s decisions about my soccer team, or each of our individual obligations to help those less fortunate, we know that sometimes we must act for the greater good and in that action we find justice. Ha’azinu when translated means to hear. So, let us really listen to each other and to the needs of others in our community and our world. Let us hope that all of our acts of justice lead to a world of peace for a sweet new year.
I feel most creative at problem solving, writing, or any other creative endeavor when I feel settled and centered. And for me, part of feeling centered is being in touch with my values and actively practicing them (Artifact 3) I was able to initially explore this as part of an earlier unit on human values and it really connected for me in the unit on creative spirituality. I was better able to understand my own sense of what it means to be creative and why I define it in a particular way.
In addition, to striving to be values centered, I derive a great deal of inspiration from nature. I am fortunate to have grown up in the Bay Area and this image below is a frequent scene outside my family home:
Growing up, when I was stressed or feeling untethered, I would always go outdoors. The act of seeing the sky and breathing in the fresh air in beautiful surroundings always helped me get back to ground level. Nature is not an instant fix but it helps me think creatively and put things in perspective. And this is how I feel afterwards:
Future
This unit and indeed the entire curriculum of Art and Human Values caused me to think more deeply on so may topics. Since I want to pursue a career that I believe can benefit from more creative thinking (Artifact 7) and the application of technology in new ways (Artifact 5) I am committed to being open to how I think and improve my own creativity. There is much to take in from the world if we learn to see and listen deeply (Seeing Art Unit 7).
Bibliography
ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. 2014. Web. 11 Dec. 2014