Do you have a “sacred place” that is just yours?
That allows you to have the space and freedom to work on what is important.
What matters.
Some of us work in “hot desk” environments. But these seem to be designed more to save money for the industrial corporation complex than for the creative human.
As humans and as creators we need that “special place” where we can bring forth our best work. It is where we can find our “flow”. And not allow the rest of the world to interrupt or distract.
Some of us do our best work in a noisy cafe. We need to be surrounded by humanity and the buzz of conversation. J. K Rowling wrote “Harry Potter” from the corner of a noisy cafe.
Others need silence. A shut door. A cave. Soft light.
Some are inspired by a view of a world from a distance. To watch humanity go past.
As unique humans we need to find our own creative space that works for us.
The importance of a sacred place
In the 1980’s before the advent of the Web, social media and smartphones, Joseph Campbell (the author of “The Hero's Journey”) shared how he started each day.
This was his way to inspiration and the special place for the creation and unfolding and manifestation of his art. To write his books that changed the world.
“A sacred place.
You must have a room…a certain time of day.
You don’t know what took place in the newspapers that morning. Who your friends are.
You don’t know what you owe to anybody. Or what anybody owes to you.
Have a sacred place, use it and take advantage of it.
For creation.
A place where you can experience and bring forth what you are.
And what you might be.
A place of creative incubation.
First nothing may happen.
But if you use and take advantage of it then something will happen” - Joseph Campbell.
35 years later the truth of his insight is even more relevant than it was then.
There is more distraction than ever before.
We all have different visions of that that looks and feels like. But the settling in and the setting down into your zone is just the start.
Then comes the resistance we feel when it comes to revealing our truth to the world.
It is combat.
And as Steven Pressfield outlined in his book the “War of Art”. It is a fight to the death.
Many never start and leave their truth buried. Never to be seen.
Many of us never create or reveal our art.
The struggle and daily combat
In a noisy world we are at the mercy of many distractions that stop us starting. But there are some things that we need to pause and set aside.
And there are many.
Mobile alerts.
Checking social media.
Other people asking questions. Interrupting.
Opening up your emails.
Finding out the latest news.
Television
Netflix
The platforms and apps are designed to distract. They hire neuroscientists to build in attention addiction.
The artists fears
As we start on the trek of creating, many of us are fearful of getting it wrong. The biggest enemy of creation is succumbing to not starting. We feel dread and despair.
It is simply “fear”.
The fear of being wrong.
The fear of being imperfect.
The fear of being judged.
We often procrastinate from fear and we never start.
At the heart of this resistance is the battle to take the first step.
Writing the first word. The first sentence. The first paragraph.
That mental chatter is just one obstacle.
But there are other monsters at the gate.
Have a great week and be awesome.