“The Tao is the one.
From the one come yin and yang;
From these two, creative energy;
From energy ten thousand things,
The forms of all creation.”
Tao Te Ching, 42
The world is filled with natural rhythms—yin and yang, night and day, the phases of the moon, the cycle of the seasons, action and repose, breathing in and breathing out.
We all have our circadian rhythms, times of day when we’re more alert. Some of us are morning people, others night people, still others in between. Psychologists tell us that we have a basic rest activity cycle (BRAC) of about 90 minutes, when we naturally alternate between periods of activity and time for renewal. This happens all day and even in alternating brain waves as we sleep.
The creative process, too, has its cycle: preparation, period of active work; incubation, a period of repose; inspiration, a flash of insight; and verification, incorporating that insight into our work. The incubation period is essential to tap into our deeper knowing, the source of all creation.
To live creatively we need to be mindful of nature’s cycles and follow our own inner rhythms. But in our busy, post-industrial culture, an artificial tempo of work prevails. Managers micromanage, pushing people into speeded-up productivity—not creativity. And the 24/7 presence of the Internet violates the natural rhythms of night and day. How often do you deny yourself essential rest and renewal, driven by caffeine, adrenaline, and the underlying anxiety that pervades our culture?
Creative people have always been subversive, for art transcends the status quo. You can live more creatively by taking time during the day to tune into your natural rhythms and discover what they tell you.
To do this:
• Take a few moments in a quiet place.
• Close your eyes
• Take a deep breath and release it.
• Ask yourself, “What do I need right now?”
• And listen.
Write down your insight,
And follow your inner direction.
Namaste,
Diane