Creativity and Spirituality: the Enduring Path: creativity and spirituality

30 January 2015

A New Video and TeleSeminar from Emily Hanlon

Writing Workshop: Tales of the Crone As Told by the Crone

How do we access the wisdom of a life ― wisdom gained through love, risk, successes, failures, challenges met and challenges refused?

How do we process and grow with our heartache, passion, laughter and the constant cycles of birth, life and death that are our constant companions?

In my new six month TeleCircle, Tales of the Crone As Told by the Crone, we will do this in a very particular way: through storytelling, whether it be as fiction, memoir, myth, fairytale, poetry or allegory...

And who is our storyteller?
The Crone who lives within each of us and, in her wisdom, compassion and humor, has been a lifelong companion, whether we acknowledge her or not. And when we acknowledge her, what then?

To find the answer, please watch my new video: Tales of the Crone As Told by the Crone.
View on YouTube.

The TeleCircle meets every other Thursday, starting March 5 at 7 pm eastern time and runs for 2 to 21/2 hours. Each session is recorded.

Early Registration: 12 TeleCircles plus one private session: $600.

Early Registration ends on February 10. Fee after February 10 is $700.

Circle is limited to 10. All TeleCircles are recorded.

Register Now. Save $100 when you register by February 10

Email Emily: emily@emilyhanlon.com

phone: 914.962.4432

17 April 2014

The Deeper Journey of Creativity and the Soul

What we yearn deeply to be, we already are.

Our birthright stirs in the beating of our heart. Our creative expression holds the key. We yearn, struggle, fear, flee and sometimes touch that birthright. Only to run again. Forget again. Forget our creative source, our creative being.

The deeper journey of our creative endeavors is about remembering... about touching with love the deeper creativity that takes us home. What that deeper creativity is holds potential beyond our mind’s ability to conceive.

What is the source of your creativity?

What is your vision of home?

20 March 2014

Healing the Wound of Forgetting

05 March 2014

Why Do We Impoverish Our Creativity With Wanting?

Creative Success Cannot Be Defined by Fame and Fortune

The Alchemy of Unattached Creativity

The creative flow is an organic process that embraces and defines us when we open to it from the heart and not the mind. Its success cannot be defined by fame and fortune. Its success is a deepening of soul, a greater awareness of the expansiveness and truth of our being as well as our connection to others. For as we serve our own deeper truth, we are serving as a guide into the deeper truth of the greater society.

Creative spirits have been historically and mythically the light bearers for human kind. We are the risk takers, those who journey beyond the boundaries of human consciousness into the Mystery where knowings that serve as keys to destiny can be found.

When we become skilled practitioners of creativity, we journey with a kind of unattached consciousness. By this I mean, we are mindful that we are on the journey without needing to control its outcome. This is vital, for creativity rises up the great seething chaos of the unmanifested and moves towards the manifesting of that which has not been before. This is the ongoing journey of transfiguration of the human soul and creativity is its midwife.

18 January 2014

How Is Water the Key to a More Fulfilling Life?

Do you have the patience to wait
til your mind settles and the water is clear?
Can you remain unmoving
til the right action arises by itself?
~Tao Te Ching

Water as a Metaphor for Conscious Living, Quote Tao Te Ching

Water flows in the path of least resistance. This is not a sign of weakness. On the contrary, water is one of the most powerful forces on earth. Water flows around, over and under. With the patience of the seasons, water carves its way through mountains. Water falls from great heights with nary a thought. It sparkles in sunlight and whispers to the soul on a moonlit night. Water is serene and violent, clear and murky, shallow and deep. All this without regrets.

This is the nature of water... Water is true to its nature.

What might your life look like if you did not fight against the natural currents and rhythms of your true nature? How might your life change? In exploring the nature of water, we deepen our awareness of our own deep, true Self.

05 January 2014

The Fire Inside Yourself

Are you looking for a personal coach who understands the specific challenges that you, as a creative woman or man, face as you struggle to find your place in the world and the path that your heart yearns to follow?

My Creativity and Spirituality Coaching Is Designed for You!

03 January 2014

Do You Know How to Uncover the Real Plot of Your Life!

Uncovering the Real Plot, Story, of Your Life! A Journey of Soul

"Perhaps we could say that the soul joins the great Actors' Guild
of the Human Race when it takes a physical body and is born on earth." ~ Vivian King

Woke up early to a slowly graying sky and a snow laden world. So beautiful as I stared out my window. I thought, however, to go back to sleep, but Phoebe, my dog, had other ideas. She wanted out, or at least thought she did! Once I opened the door, I had to give her a strong nudge, and while she went about her business, I went about mine of making coffee! By the time Phoebe scratched to come in, the coffee was done and she and I, with coffee cup in hand, went back upstairs ― she intent on curling up under the covers, me intent on reading the book with which I fell asleep last night.

Soul Play, Turning Your Daily Dramas Into Divine Comedies
After Phoebe was settled under the covers, I reached for my book. As I did, I noticed another at the bottom of my bedside pile of books. It was a book I had ordered a while ago and really wanted to read, but somehow had forgotten about. It's called, Soul Play, Turning Your Daily Dramas Into Divine Comedies, by Vivian King. Immediately I set to reading.

What a treat! I could hardly contain my excitement as read on. Her processes resonated deeply and added to my own as a soul journeyer and Life Coach for creative women and men. What I love best are her playfulness and deep connection to the creative process and storytelling. It was when I came across the following passage that I knew I wanted to share this with all of you...

26 December 2013

Transform the Way You See Creativity and Yourself

The multifaceted journey of creativity is not limited to the arts.
Creativity is not an end in itself. Creativity is a path from which the journey of life is explored, the mystery embraced. The multifaceted journey of creativity is not limited to the arts. There is another level of creativity that beckons, awakening us to the deeper truth of who we are, or who we would be. This is the journey of soul, an ancient quest central to the great myths and integral to the creative process. Then creativity is synonymous with life itself and a powerful source for personal spiritual growth and healing.

Anorexic Creativity...

09 December 2013

If You Aren't the CEO of Your Life, Who Is?

Creativity, Risk and Claiming Your Own Life

Pursuing our creative passions, even admitting to them, can be risky business.

Will I make money from our creative pursuits?

Will I be seen as selfish?

Am I wasting my time?

Will I fail?

Will I find out I have no creativity?

Such fear-based questions are the enemies of happiness and growth.

02 December 2013

Why Creativity Is a Journey Into the Dark!

In Hamlet, Shakespeare said, "Nothing's either good or bad but thinking makes it so." So tell your Inner Critic to put that in his pipe and smoke it when next it tries to stop you from following the passion of your creativity!

Creativity is a labyrinthine journey that takes us deeper and deeper into our self. With every twist, turn and seeming two (three and four!) steps backward for every step forward, we learn more, let go more, fear, love, cry and dance for joy.

Creativity is a journey into the dark and it must be.
Why? Because as creators, we are manifesting the unmanifested.

Where is the unmanifested found?

Where are seeds found?

What gives birth to dawn?

From where does the butterfly emerge?

What is the warm, encompassing darkness that gives birth to every living thing?

The answers are all around us.

Creativity is BIG STUFF!
Don't underestimate the power of the journey! And if you feel at times, and we all do, that you're not up to the task, think of this: if you don't risk the journey, you risk even more.

Explore The Cycles of Creativity

01 April 2013

What Is Your Pathway to the Cosmic Creative Landscape?

The Comic Inner Landscape Where True Self Abides

Creativity wells up from the cosmic inner landscape where the true Self abides. If we are free to meander in this landscape without expectation and need, our creativity becomes the wellspring of life in ways that cannot be imagined by the mind.

People approach this cosmic landscape in very different ways. How do you approach yours?

15 January 2013

The Zen of Inner Vision and the Imagination

The Zen of Inner Inner Vision and the Imagination

Inner Vision, the Pathway for the Imagination

Inner vision has no fear of the unknown.
Inner vision pierces the veils of mystery and magic and embraces paradox.
Inner vision is innately the wandering pilgrim and fool who knows that getting lost is being found.
Inner vision is guiding light into our soul.

Creative success cannot be determined by the outside world. If you focus on that "prize" you are very likely to miss the real success, which is internal and deeply personal. The question becomes how to turn your sights inward? How to trust the inner vision as pilgrim, fool and intrepid guide in the shadowy and chaotic inner landscape? This demands courage, a leap of faith, a giving up of control and surrender. The result: a joyful expansiveness and freedom!

23 May 2012

Why the Shadow Needs Love Not Fear to Come Into the Light

Embracing the Shadow, A Journey Toward Wholeness

There's an old story usually attributed to a Native American elder, that's meant to illuminate the power of attention.

A grandfather, imparting a life lesson to his grandson tells him, "I have two wolves fighting in my heart. One wolf is vengeful, fearful, envious, resentful, deceitful. The other wolf is loving, compassionate, generous, truthful and serene."

The grandson asks which wolf will win the fight. The grandfather answers, "The one I feed."

Which wolf do you feed?

02 May 2012

Slowing Down on a Fine Wind... Simplicty, Acceptace, and Surrender

"A fine wind is blowing the new direction of time through me. If only I can let it bear me, carry me." ~ D.H. Lawrence

As many of you know, I have collected quotes on writing, creativity and the inner journey for many years. I call these Messages from the Muse. Recently, I wrote on the above quote.

This is something I have felt so often, and usually attribute it to my work. It leaves me feeling anxious. My mind insists, "Get on with it. Just do it! Let me just do it and finally break through!"

Do what? I am now wondering, and I am left with the feeling that I have missed something. And I have! The "new wind" had little to do with "work". I realize I never had to work so hard, push so hard. I simply had to be patient and let the fine wind do its work -- or its joy!

Slowing down, a sweet opening...
I think I am finally allowing change to bear me, carry me in its own mysterious way. I want to slow down. Do less. Such a sweet opening. I feel less anxious about simply being and allowing -- surrendering to what is. It seems that my focus is softening. Not everything needs to be seen and known.

How wonderful this feels. I smile with it, and know that it spreads slowly within, like honey on a warm day, carrying me to exactly where I am. Peacefully... sweetly... moment to moment, without regret.

Say "Yes" to simplicity.
If only I can let it bear me, carry as I say yes to simplicity, acceptance, and surrender of my will to a greater knowing/not knowing within me.

28 November 2011

Winter, Goethe and Death As Zen Master: A Quote

Goethe As Zen Master or Death as Promise. Goethe Quote

As we go into the dark womb time of the earth, where dying is the promise of new life, I think of this by Goethe:

And so long as you haven’t experienced
This: to die and so to grow,
You are only a troubled guest
On the dark earth.

As I look my life from where I am right now,
this quote makes me feel.....

Please post your writings on the blog!

15 May 2011

Letting Stillness Grow

A few months ago I entered SIBYL Magazine's poetry contest and I am thrilled to share the results.

"Emily, although your written works did not place within the top four winning slots, the editorial judges absolutely fell in loved with the pure-light and healing energy your poetry emanated in the poem entitled: LETTING STILLNESS GROW.

Our judges were so impressed with this poem, they'd like to offer you an opportunity to share a single piece of your poetry inside each bimonthly issue of the brand new, forthcoming literary spin-off publication of SIBYL Magazine entitled, SIBELLA: Poetry and Artwork To Heal the Soul and Inspire the Heart".

Letting Stillness Grow

I saw a sky as large as my heart

and I did not know
it was mine.

What wonders lie in stillness,
that evasive gift of life.
Is it fear of death, of nothingness
that keeps stillness at bay?
My thirst is great.

My skills are few,

but what skills might stillness

require?

Patience, for one.

Am I patient enough
and brave enough
to let my stillness grow?

13 March 2011

Creativity and the Cosmic Shopping Mall

Artwork by Rassouli

At home with your creativity...
Being at home with your creativity and your creative unconscious is like walking into a cosmic shopping mall where each shop offers a different persona for us to try on, actually a different way of being in relationship to ourselves and the world. The only means of exchange in this cosmic mall is exuberance, fearlessness and a desire to share and be shared.

Oh, and there’s a key to the mall, too. We all have it in our pocket when we arrive, even if we don’t know it’s there. The key is a desire to break out of the box of who we think we are, who our families think we should be. It is a desire to fly in a place that, as John O’Donohue says, “is full of the most melodious and nourishing and wild freedom. And everyone should go there, to the wild place, where there are no cages, where there are no tight rooms without windows and without doors, everyone should go to the free clearance places in their own hearts.”

The key to your creativity is always in your pocket!

03 January 2011

How Using Your Inner Vision Supports Creativity Success

Artwork by The Soul Connection Network.

How do you explore the mystery of you?
What does intuition have to do with creativity?
How can you give birth to the true Self whose visions of possibility and becoming are beyond the mind's horizons?

INNER VISION IS THE MEDIATOR BETWEEN THE WORLDS...

Creativity is a force that gathers its energy in the mysterious inner worlds and gradually moves toward definition and completion in the outer world. The problem, especially in Western culture, is that we are educated to focus on the outer world, which demands us to get it right, get it done and be successful!

06 December 2010

How Do You Define Happiness?

“The purpose of our lives is to be happy.” ~The Dalai Lama

“We all relate to our thoughts, whether they are intensely negative or not, as a reliable statement of the truth... you believe what your thoughts are telling you...” ~Jon Kabbat-Zinn

We all have “happiness” definitions and equations.

Happiness is __________
I will find happiness when __________
I will never find true happiness because ________
To be happy I need __________

Our responses to these questions often reflect the imprints made on our young sensibilities by attitudes, beliefs and stories we learned from adults in our childhood and experiences during our growing up years. These influence both our conscious and unconscious attitudes towards happiness. Some are positive... others create obstacles to happiness.

28 November 2010

Waiting on the Edge of Desire My Heart Is Still...

In emptiness my heart is still,
waiting on the precipice of desire.
For what?
To fill?
To love?
To feel life trembling into tenderness
waiting on the edge of desire.

Pages