Objective:
- Examine spirituality as a generative force and a well spring for creativity
Original Post:
- How do you define “spirituality”?
I would define “spirituality” as sort of a deeper emotion that is brought out when an individual’s natural senses are stimulated. Whether it is through seeing, touching, or listening we all have the ability to be one with the environment and feel that deeper connection. I feel like the spirit is connected with the soul, and feel that connecting with the soul takes a deeper and more meaningful experience in order to really gain spirituality.
- Does spirituality differ from religion?
I think that spirituality definitely differs from religion in a few ways. I tend to see religion as an ethical practice that individuals take part in on a daily basis or rather consistent basis. Where spirituality doesn’t necessarily need to be in the form of practice or consistent basis. I think that the spirit has a stronger connection with your emotions and how you actually see the world. However, they do have some correlation because people can also spiritually connect with religious practices.
- How do you define “creativity”?
I define creativity as using your imagination to come up with new and original ideas or thoughts. Being creative means using critical thinking skills to explore what is considered unknown. I feel like creativity is something that can come more natural to some people while others may struggle a little more with opening up their imagination and exploring new ideas. I would consider myself to be creative in certain ways but it doesn’t come to me as easy as one of my friends who was able to make a 3D printer from scratch.
- What is the source of creativity?
I think that there is no specific source for where ever creativity comes from. However, I do think that it could have something to do with genetics considering the fact that some people are born with a very creative mind and invent very extraordinary things. For example, one of my neighbors has the ability to open up his mind at such a young age that he is taking SAT tests as a ten year old. I do believe that every person has the ability to be creative in some way, shape, or form.
Reflection:
After reflecting back on this artifact and taking some time to learn about this unit, I found myself at a cross-road in trying to determine key differences between spirituality and religion. I am not very religious or spiritual for that matter so this topic was not among my strongest interests, however I was able to gain a better grasp on the concept of spirituality as a generative force and a well spring for creativity. In my creative spirituality reflection I was able to correlate the two terms of creativity and spirituality by assessing my own answers to the four questions mentioned above in my original post. As I progressed to the last question, “What is the source of creativity?” I was unable to provide a specific answer by simply stating that there is no one source of creativity, but after revisiting the readings and unit material I developed a different perspective. I believe that the spirit can ignite a process of transformation within oneself and enhance the effects of deeper emotion that one might hold on to. The spirit serves as a generative force for creativity because in order to think and act in a spiritual mind state, one needs to be more open and aware of their creative environment.
As I mentioned before, I don’t necessarily believe that there is only one specific source of creativity. Creativity comes from all kinds of sources, whether it is from observing something never seen before or just developing an original idea off the top of your head. For example, in my Artifact #4: The Art of Personal Adornment, I associate ones’ physical appearance with the definitions of identity and belonging. For me personally, physical appearance and body adornment serve as a source of creativity in the sense that I like to be creative with how I dress. I don’t feel like I have the most creative mind set or come up with the best original ideas off the top of my head, but I do gain a feeling of satisfaction and creativeness in the way that I present myself.
Future Goals:
In the future I hope to learn more about spirituality and its various forms as I continue to learn about art and artistic culture. This will only open me up to more interpretations and ideologies that I am currently unaware of and build upon certain views that I have already developed. Ultimately I would like to become more familiar with ways in which spirituality influences me particularly since I am not the most spiritual or religious person.