Creativity

An dynamic element of Self-Energy

(Introduction to the Internal Family Systems Model, Robert Schwartz, Ph.D.)

Many scientist, inventors, and artist report that their inspirations emerged suddenly and fully formed from their unconscious intuition rather than as a result of the labors of their rational minds. Researchers trying to increase creativity in people use techniques like biofeedback to quiet the minds’s inner noise and access deeper state (Tony Schwartz, 1995). As writer Anne Lamott (1994) says, “You get your intuition back when you make space for is, when you stop the chattering of the rational mind.

The rational mind doesn’t nourish you. You assume that it gives you the truth, because the rational mind is the golden calf that this culture worships, but this is not true. Rationality squeezes out much that is rich and juicy and fascinating.” (p. 112). My experience with clients confirms this. They begin to tap into a kind of creative wisdom as their inner noise diminishes and their Self-Energy arises. Solutions to longstanding problems emerges, often involving lateral, “out of the box” thinking that was not possible when they were dominated by parts of them that had so many rules about their lives and relationships. It seems that the Self-Energy has an innate wisdom about how to create harmony in relationships, whether those relationships are with people around them or with parts inside them. The Self-Energy automatically know how to nurture others and has the clarity, compassion, and courage to do so.

In addition, as people are released from the grip of their inner critics and their concerns about the approvals of others, they feel an increased desire and ability to enter what has been called the “flow” state in which creative expression spontaneously flows out of them and they are immersed in the pleasure of the activity (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990). They often begin to feel a sense that they are here to make some type of contribution, and they experience great relief as they move in the direction of making that happen.

To reiterate one theme of this book, however, just quieting the mind is rarely enough. To allow the real Self-Energy-Expression requires the courage to release all the creative parts we have locked in inner containers. Anne Lamott (1994) knows this.

But you can’t get to any of these truths by sitting in a field smiling beatifically, avoiding your anger and damage and grief. You anger and damage and grief are the way to the truth. We don’t have much truth to express unless we have gone into those rooms and closets and woods and abysses that we were told not to go into. When we have gone in and looked around for a long while, just breathing and finally taking it in — then we will be able to speak in our own voice and to stay in the present moment. And that moment is home. (p. 201)

From Dick Schwartz, Internal Family Systems Model, pp. 44-46

With great appreciation for Level One Training and IFSinstitute.com

Creativity

An dynamic element of Self-Energy

CLICK BELOW TO EXPLORE The 8c’s of Self-Energy

CALMNESS

CURIOSITY

CLARITY

COMPASSION

CONFIDENCE

COURAGE

CREATIVITY

CONNECTEDNESS

Individual, Couple & Family TeleHealth Psychotherapy