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An Interveiw

This interview that was made in 2011 at the Vermont VVLA with the lovely Sue Skaskiw. The topic is how to use art and creativity in personal development processes such as coaching and workshops.

Creativity vs Artistic talent

Being creative and/or having artistic talent are not the same things. There are lots of creatives out there who are not artistic at all. At the same time there are many artists who are not creative. It is like skill versus passion.

Being able to draw is partly an inherent talent, partly result of hard work and countless hours of practise. Having the ability to express the beauty in something we see or experience through visual art is a talent and does not necessarily require one to be creative. It probably takes some sensitivity and vulnerability to experience the inner, often hidden, beauties of the world around us.

A creative is someone like Richard Branson, Walt Disney, Thomas Edison, Elton Musk who cannot stop generating ideas and bringing them into life. These ideas are often in one particular area or business because of the ‘passion’ and ‘mission’ one holds true for oneself. Creators are highly committed to bring a major change to the world by their creations and cannot stop until they have noticed that change being embraced by humanity. Creators are visionaries. Their heads are in the clouds, they are rarely interested in the material world. They leave the earthly task such as putting their ideas into practise to those who understand their vision and mission.

Read more about the different types by WealthDynamics HERE

I am so grateful

This morning I received an email from someone who decided not to join one of my programs. At first, I felt rejected. ‘Oh, why, why can’t they see how great my toy-creations are?’ – I thought to myself. There are many people who are aware of the programs that I run but they chose not to participate. I am aware that it is their right to do so. It may sound silly, but it still pains me to see people passing by without noticing the value in my little creations.

Today, however, as I was in the mists of my dismay over my sense of rejection, something shifted in me. A new feeling emerged inside of me, a sense of gratefulness. ‘How could I be grateful for someone who has just rejected me?’ – I wondered.

Then, it downed on me: I am grateful for all who comes and joins me playing together. And I am grateful for those who chose not to come. I am grateful because in their choice of not participating, they also release me form under a big burden. In their staying away, I am allowed not to crucify myself on the altar of their expectations and so I can focus on more important matters: LOVING CONNECTION with those who chose to come.

 


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What kind of normal …?

What kind of normal do you want to get back to after the PANDEMIC is over?

A fantastic short video featuring Sir Ken Robinson who talks about the necessary change in Education System. He addresses the hostile environment we had created around ourselves and now it was time to face it and make the inevitable changes. He talks about the way we have conducted our lives since the Industrial Revolution and the massive changes it had brought on us.

Spirituality in Coaching

I have practised meditation for over 20 years now. I tried different types of meditation before I settled with a so called ‘Sufi’, one-pointed focus meditation, that uses the ‘ANI-HU’ mantra to support maintaining our focus. This meditation technique supports us to seek and find God within. By God, I do not mean an old guy with a long white beard but more like the source and maintainer of my whole being, the Essence of who I am. I believe that I am a unique Spark of God in expression. This meditation supports me to gain a deeper connection with that Spark and the Loving Source, that is God.

Apart from the above, I also meditate so to understand myself and my life better. Each time I close my eyes I look within, I shut out the busy world around me and seek comfort and understanding within my-self.

I have learnt over the years that none has the answers but me. However, it is important to differentiate Me from the I. The ME-part, the EGO part of me only seeks shelter from a scary and crazy world around me. But the I-part looks for peace in the turmoil. The ME-part defends its fragile world whereas the I-part is strong and invincible. The I-part does not defend or protect, it is wise, compassionate, loving and kind to self and all.

In my meditations, I seek to meet that wise I-part of me and seek her advice.

Because of the above, I use many different meditative exercises in the coaching process. The EGO-part when asked questions can only give ‘limited’ answers because it is in constant ‘defence-mode’. The ME-part of me does not want to visit painful and uncomfortable places inside of me and it will do anything in its power to distract me. But the I-part of me is forever open to get freer and more in touch with its Wise-Source. This part knows all the answers to all my questions. In order to get in touch with that part of me, however, I need to peel off the thick layers of ‘deceit’ of the EGO-part of me, so I can hear her voice.

It does not matter what meditative practise one chooses to support oneself as long as it enables a deeper connection with our I-part, the Essence of who we are, or GOD-within.

Without being in touch with ourselves, we seek to find the answers to our questions in another. It is always doomed to fail. No one knows what I need to do for myself so to be happy and to live a meaningful life. Only the I-part knows that.

See if you can find a meditation that you like @ this LINK

 

MEDITATION

Jon Kabat-Zinn talks about the importance of meditation and how it profundly affects our daily lives.

Awareness, a sixth sense from Mindfulness for Beginners by Jon Kabat-Zinn