Seeking Wisdom - What is it?
Thirty years on from publishing The Artist’s Way, this year - she introduces us to Seeking Wisdom, A Spiritual Path to Creative Connection.
As is the case with all of her books - it’s an invitation, a process and a means of creatively connecting to our wisdom and purpose.
You might consider it either an introduction to The Artist’s Way - or perhaps a way of rekindling or revisiting it.
And while every one of her books, the 12-week format, the exercises and the call to just keep showing up - to our morning pages or to our lives is a testament to her commitment to remain creatively engaged in life - it is also a reflection of how a 12-step process works.
Fundamentally that involves maintaining conscious contact with a power greater than ourselves - and one she speaks of having resisted in her early days of sobriety.
When advised that to stay sober she’d have to learn to pray - she pushed back. Until someone suggested that “Surely there is something you could pray to.”
There was. It is contained in the title and powerful first line of the Dylan Thomas poem, The force that through the green fuse drives the flower.
It is a process. And the tool she invites us to employ is prayer.
Before resisting - as I initially did - consider it in light of the wisdom of the late Eugene Peterson:
“Prayers are tools not for doing or getting, but for being and becoming.”
Over the course of six weeks we’ll examine, rethink and challenge -
Our God Concept
Prayers of Petition
Prayers of Gratitude
Prayers of Praise
Creativity & Spirituality
Marching Forth, Talking to God
We’ll also employ the time-tested & proven tools introduced thirty years ago -
Morning Pages, a daily writing exercise
An Artist Date, a weekly time out - a play date for an hour or two
Walking, a twice weekly twenty-minute walk
“They are simple and repetitive” - said a critic who meant to disparage the tools.
Cameron counters that it’s precisely how they are meant to be, simple!
"They are very potent. You can’t use them without having a spiritual breakthrough”
By exploring our insights in a 90-minute weekly group session, we will practice the art of using writing to seek guidance.
When you have completed our six week journey through Seeking Wisdom you will:
have adopted a consciously spiritual approach to you life & work
have a heightened insight into your own creative possibilities
recognize & embrace the strength & guidance to be found in ‘praying on the page’
be at peace & confident that prayer - a colloquial, honest, and plainspoken sharing of what troubles us - offers us the assurance that guidance does follow
Most significantly, you will have learned to embrace the future confidently.
Online groups are currently forming.
You can also join our free network here & pace yourself through the chapters in good company!
Register interest below for future programs.
Groups start regularly.
How does the process work?
It doesn’t, you do!
The author’s intention was that you and others would come together in small peer groups and work through the chapters together.
Begin with the book. Adopt the practice of daily Morning Pages, the weekly Artist Date and twice-weekly Walking for all the programs. There are more specific tools such as Counting, Abstinence and Time-outs for the work of The Prosperous Heart.
When you are ready to begin, read each chapter thoughtfully and do all of the exercises.
Why consider a facilitated group?
Structured regular meetings provide a framework to support completed assignments and peer encouragement to take two hours “refilling the creative well”, the point of the #ArtistDate.
You come to understand that your fears and negative self-talk are not your unique obstacles to change. Other group members and the facilitator have been where you are.
The facilitator is not a teacher, rather, a catalyst offering the discipline, structure and support to keep you focused, champion your efforts and become your “believing mirror”.
Or…
You now also have the option of doing the Artist’s Way work via recorded video with the author on-line.
Or…
Register your interest above or enquire about options for supported groups. We can help you convene or facilitate your own Creative Cluster!
Or…
You can join our free network here & pace yourself through the chapters in good company!