Spirituality, Creativity, & Immersion:

     What Do They Have in Common?

                                  By,

                 Nan Rubin, LCSW & Spiritual Director

 

I was first introduced to a form of Lectio Divina in the Tacheria Interfaith School for Spiritual Direction several years ago. Lectio Divina is a Christian-based form of meditation which assists in deepening one’s relationship with G-d.  Coincidentally, I recently revisited this practice in a Mindfulness Meditation Seminar co-led by two Spiritual Directors. This form of Lectio Divina involved reading the same line(s) of scripture or poetry four times, each reading followed by a period of silence and contemplation: first reading, to become acquainted with G-d’s message; second reading, to reflect on what G-d wants you to learn from this passage; third reading, trusting G-d enough to become emotionally involved and let your heart speak to G-d; fourth reading, to sit quietly and allow G-d to speak to your heart in and through the silence.

           As a Jew, I have been in a state of vacillation as to whether I have a personal relationship with G-d to support this kind of “conversation”; therefore, this was a challenge for me. I was willing to give it a try because I believe there is an intangible and mysterious force beyond our comprehension that drives the laws of the universe. It fills me with awe and wonder.  I have been meditating for years to stay open to the possibility of being in some form communion with this force.  Oddly, what initially resonated for me was how this very structured approach accomplished the daunting task of keeping my wandering “monkey” mind on task and focused.  I did not anticipate how immersed I would become while using this practice. My thoughts and feelings seemed to sidestep my usual tendency to analyze what’s going on. I felt my entire being coming to rest in a place of deep calm and insight about my spirituality.

There are certainly plenty of wonderful books about Jewish meditation and a long tradition of contemplative practices. But there I was, engaging in a practice derived from Christian meditation and discovering enormous meaning and fulfillment from it. Since then I have used Lectio Divina with Jewish texts, and weekly portions of the Torah. After a long period of spiritual estrangement from Judaism, I feel a new appreciation for Jewish prayer and text and am discovering a deeper relationship to my tradition.  I am also left with a deep curiosity about the process itself, these states of being immersed, so completely engaged, and spiritually revitalized.  It reminds me of how I feel when I sculpt or write.

 Like many artists and writers, in the creative process we can have periods of intense concentration, where time falls away and there is total “flow”. Our whole being is engaged, we do not feel self-conscious, and our ego is “napping”.  Some people go so far as to describe it as being a conduit for something beyond themselves that is seeking expression. I know a writer who says that her characters “write themselves into the story’”.  It also begs the question of where inspiration comes from – what is its source. My other thought is that there must be a natural yearning to express and connect beyond ourselves– to be heard, understood, to give, and to reach for meaning.  Doesn’t this occur in states of meditation and prayer?  In each of these endeavors, it seems we begin in one place with a set of expectations and hopes, and, if fortunate, conclude in another that feels even more illuminating and clarifying.   It’s often not a “straight shot” to this blissful state!

 Recently, I encountered Anne Paris PhD book, Standing at the Water’s Edge: Moving Past Fears, Blocks, and Pitfalls to Discover the Power of Creative Immersion while preparing to give a seminar on Creativity. Her thoughts, expressed with such humility and insight, helped me understand and appreciate the profound process common to creativity and spirituality. Ms. Paris describes it as “states of immersion” – again, that feeling of total engagement and “flow” that revitalizes us and adds meaning to our lives.  Ms.  Paris goes on to say that we all long for experiences of immersion in the different realms of our lives: relationships, work, our art, and spirituality. That is because we find meaning and purpose in those moments:

“Often we wait for them to happen. When by chance they do, we grab hold of them as precious gems of life – and often we feel sustained and energized by them for long periods of time.”

Ms. Paris is a clinical psychologist who happens to work with many creative people struggling to reach their full artistic potential; and, as a writer, she sees herself struggling as well. I shall quote her here and also suggest that her book is a very worthwhile read whether you are an artist or not:

“In creative activity, immersion means to be “in the zone,” similar to being in a meditative trance in that the outside world melts away and new ideas, images, or sounds present themselves in a natural flow. Here, in this place, we experience ourselves in the fullest and most meaningful sense….Immersive moments propel us forward into transformation and change; we are enhanced and strengthened in the connection…new forms, conceptions, and thoughts emerge…This is the psychological-spiritual-intuitive edge of the self where creative imagination exists. “

Ms. Paris also explains that periods of disengagement from this process are necessary and healthy for integration to take place and to set the stage for re-engagement. Along the way we encounter our defenses, personal “tapes” , vulnerabilities, perfectionism, and many forms of self generated resistance and sabotage. How often have I had a sculpting teacher urge me to finally step away from a piece I have been working on for hours - to actually leave the room.  I am concerned I will loose that flow if I do.  Invariably, when I return, I notice aspects I hadn’t seen before that I want to work on, and an appreciation of what I have already created from some mysterious place inside of me.   

As with Lectio Divina, other forms of meditation, spiritual inquiry, and Spiritual Direction itself, if we stay with a process of immersion, I believe we are bound to encounter these feelings along the way.  As spiritual seekers who meditate, how many times do we ask ourselves if we are doing it “correctly”, even though we know that kind of asking isn’t what it’s about? If we don’t receive a message or some form of inspiration, do we become discouraged, sad? Our yearning can feel that much more intense, even depressing, the further away we feel from reaching that state of coming “home” to our spirituality, particularly if we’ve experienced it before.  Ms. Paris reminds us that we need to reach out to others for support, positive mirroring, and validation in order to persevere in this.

In conclusion, I wonder if we need to find ways to cultivate and encourage our own unique states of immersion - as they occur in our work, relationships, creativity, and spirituality. This dropping down, immersing into a deeper state, is where the authentic self, perhaps one’s very soul with all its innate wisdom and yearning seems to meet with the ineffable, the source, or what many call G-d.  I leave the question with you.

 

 

 

 

References:

Paris, PhD, Anne. Standing At the Water’s Edge: Moving Past Fear, Blocks, and Pitfalls to Discover the Power of Creative Immersion. Novato, CA:New World Library, 2008