Course 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
Artifact: Unit 07 Creative Spirituality Reflection
- How do you define “spirituality”?
I think spirituality is an awareness of self, nature and the universe beyond physical realism. It is a consciousness, a state of mind. It comprises of, but is not limited to belief or religion. It is a kind of personal spiritual power inside of us. In addition, I think spirituality refers to help people to understand the meaning, objectives, and direction of their life. So I believe that people should try to feel own spirituality to get the direction of life.
- Does spirituality differ from religion?
Of course, I believe that spirituality is different with religion. As I mentioned in the first question, the spirituality could include some parts of religion but it is a bigger concept and it should not be limited by religion. Religion could be limited by countries, region, and cultures. However, spirituality exist in everyone’s mind and it does not be influenced by outside factors. Not everyone have religion but everyone have spirituality. Therefore, spirituality and religion are totally different concepts.
- How do you define “creativity”?
I think creativity is a kind of ability to generate new idea, finding and creating new thing. Creativity is a special ability for human beings. It combines personal knowledge, intelligence, ability, personality and other various factors. I think the real creativity can make valuable achievements for human society and our current society is the result of our creativity. I believe that the most important differences between creativity and other general ability are its originality and novelty.
- What is the source of creativity?
I think the creativity could come from curiosity, experiences, and accidental mistakes or things. Everyone could have curiosity and we will feel curious when we face to the unknown things. This kind of curiosity force us to discover the truth so that result in the creativity. Experience also is important for creativity. Some creativity is based on the past successful experiences and this is an easier way for creation. Accidental mistakes always can cause the invention. The creation of Viagra is the best example. Viagra was the pill of heart disease, after the patients took it, it did not work for heart but it made male patients’ erection.
Reflection:
This image shows that the spirituality comes from our brain but it is difficult to point out the specific position.
This artifact includes four questions, and these questions really helped me to get into familiar with the concept of spirituality. Through the process of defining the spirituality, I figure out the differences between spirituality and religion. I believe that spirituality is an awareness of self, nature and the universe so it is an inner mental power.
In addition, I got some understanding of creativity and its sources. I think the both spirituality and creativity could affect artist to create artworks. These two ability is our natural ability so it is difficult to train. The artifact help me to understand spirituality as a generative force and a well spring for creativity. The spirituality always connect to our unconsciousness and the creativity also is always comes from unconsciousness.
Actually, through research the source of creativity, I found that creativity is mainly comes from curiosity, so it is related to the horror artifact. In that artifact, I mentioned curiosity also is the main reason why people like horror movies.
Future Intentions:
In the future, I would like to try feeling my spirituality and make it to help my creativity. For this purpose, I should pay more attention on my curiosity. If I feel something interesting, I should go to study it.
References:
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