::
Born of her mother, giving birth to her daughter who would, in turn, become the carrier and custodian of life, she could feel connected to an immemorial past of mothers, and an immemorial future of daughters, each a transmitter of the life process, each surrendering to an experience more mysterious and powerful and demanding than any other, requiring as it were, her submission to an instinctual process which, ineluctably, as the vehicle of life, she served. ~Anne Baring
::
I know all human beings are creative. I teach this. Every time I teach, over the period of ten weeks, my students go from believing they are anywhere from not creative, to mildly creative, to somewhat creative – to knowing and trusting in their personal, internal creative process. Period.
All human beings are creative. Yet, I find the ‘creativity = artistic’ beliefs in this culture, on the whole, to be frustratingly entrenched.
When you think of creativity, does it have to do with painting? writing? art in some way?
Do you believe you are creative? If not, when did you lose touch with your creativity. If you do, how did you hang on to it? Or when did you reclaim it?
Just wondering. ‘Cause I have something really important I want women to realize within themselves.
“surrendering to an experience more mysterious and powerful and demanding than any other…”
Women are powerfully creative. We are born with the capacity to bring life into being. To birth life into life. Requiring our “submission to an instinctual process” that we cannot, the least bit, control.
I submit that women’s creativity is mysterious and powerful enough that anything and everything has been done to get us to forget the power of this process that is intrinsic to our gender.
And, I’m not just talking about birthing babies. I’m talking about an internal power we hold, as women, that could rock this world if we really got how powerful we are. And, if we could come together, as a gender, to honor, revere and support each other, fully, to wake up to this power within, the world would never be the same.
::
Today, Marianne Williamson wrote an open letter to Sarah Palin. I was deeply moved by the grace and eloquence that Marianne showed in both her willingness to bridge the gap between her and Sarah, but also in her ability to articulate her way through what could be rough waters. In my opinion, Marianne was able to offer an invitation to enter into conversation with Sarah, a conversation between two women of faith.
What I loved about this most, though, is the example Marianne set of how to begin to come together as women, in a way that can begin to engage our powerful creative abilities, together as a community of women, especially when we might hold such polar opposite political views.
Each of us women is “…a transmitter of the life process…” whether or not we birth babies. Each of us is the microcosm of the glorious macrocosm that is the Big Womb of Life.
It’s time we find a way to come together to honor, revere and reflect this mysterious and glorious creativity we all embody. Somehow, someway we can realize we’ve all been conditioned to the hilt; we’ve all found some way to survive in this culture that does what it does to suppress women because it is terrified of this natural, most mysterious female power.
We can find solidarity, even when we hold such differing views. I know we can. I sincerely hope Sarah is willing to meet Marianne in this conversation. I sincerely hope they both can hold this space. I ardently hope I can find the grace and eloquence that Marianne showed today, so that I, too, can somehow begin to help bridge whatever chasms lie between all the women of the world, the carriers and custodians of life, regardless of our conditioning or our political points of view.
::
Whatever it takes to ensure there is a future worth living for all the world’s children is worth it. Whatever it takes to reclaim this power as women, we must do it. I don’t know how we will do it, but I know this deep mystery that is our female creativity does know.
It is time for our awakening to our instincts, letting go of our judgments, and setting free our deep river of love for each other as women.
:: |
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there. When the soul lies down in that grass, |
~ rumi |
image by Ronn ashore : creative commons license 2.0
Julie,
Thank you for another powerful and thought provoking post.
I struggle with this myself, because my own deep resistance to feeling “creative” is at war with a similarly deep instinctive knowledge that I have the power of procreativity … this has been a tension I’ve been interested for most of my life, and is what I wrote my college thesis on. Somehow I need to accept, and honor, the ways that these two spheres inform each other – I suspect you’d actually aver that they are one and the same.
Julie, thank you for directing us to the letter from Marianne Williamson to Sarah Palin. I am passing it on through my blog and via e-mails.
Words ARE powerful. As we have learned about domestic violence, abusive and violent words lead to physical abuse, and physical abuse often leads to murder. Vitriolic words from public figures who are influential and powerful give permission to followers to take what is said and act it out, and the disciples are often more rabid than the teacher, as well. We are experiencing, I believe, the result of hate-radio, fear-mongering and well-planned polarizing tactics of the past twenty years.
If you plant weeds, you cannot reap orchids, and I am stunned and offended by the careless use of language by those who stir up the masses to violent action. I am disturbed by the masses who think that it is not only O.K. but cheer it on! Thank you for using your blog and website — and your whole life — to promote compassion, tolerance and love. Good for you!!!
You, my friend, are the embodiment of this creativity and power. It is intoxicating, compelling, and a perfect articulation of what I most certainly believe and hope. These words especially are ones I will soak in, repeat, and heed:
“I submit that women’s creativity is mysterious and powerful enough that anything and everything has been done to get us to forget the power of this process that is intrinsic to our gender.”
Thank you. I’ll be dancing in the mystery and power today. Both are needed. Both are mine. Both are ours. Beautiful.
I’m so glad I found your blog. It’s beautifully written and incredibly thought-provoking.
I feel as if I have lived two lives. In a sense I have. Strangely enough, now that I am paralyzed from my neck down I feel far more creative than I ever was as a fully functioning able-bodied person in the prime of my life. I think that I have learned that creativity is not a physical thing but rather it originates, develops and grows in one’s mind.
Thanks for your powerful words.
Oh! “To birth life into life.” so beautifully put – and I LOVE that you added: ” whether or not we birth babies.”
Julie, (as usual – grin) this is SO beautiful and heart-touching! Thank you – for the words and for the community spirit you bring forth!!
Tracy, I am awed by what you shared here: “I have learned that creativity is not a physical thing but rather it originates, develops and grows in one’s mind.” — it’s like your words underline Julie’s – thanks.
So lovely, Julie. Thank you!
Lindsey,
“this has been a tension I’ve been interested for most of my life, and is what I wrote my college thesis on. Somehow I need to accept, and honor, the ways that these two spheres inform each other…” What a juicy tension to dive into, maybe with wonder and awe at how these might inform each other. The creative force is a powerful one, and one that insists on being expressed…sooner or later.
I am so glad to know you. Thank you for sharing your wisdom here with all who visit.
Blessings, Julie
Jeanie, It’s always heart-warming to see you here. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, once again. I know what amazing work you do with women. I’m honored to know you.
Ronna, Thank you, as always. What a gift it is to know you.
Tracy, What an honor to have you stop by and visit, and to hear about your life and what you’ve discovered about creativity. I want to know more about you. I’m going to check out your site and see what marvelous things there are to discover… Blessings to you, Julie
Karen, Yes, babies and ALL. You bring such lightness and play to this community. Thank you. Love you.
Rebecca, So lovely to see you here.
thank you, beautiful post.
julz – I love these photos, They make me smile & happy .I am off to New York to marry my scott in 4 weeks time .very etiixcng Love julz .x
Catching up on your posts and all the others I’ve missed since I’ve gone “off the radar” for a bit. This post is a great reminder of why I love and respect you and your writing. Your spirit and desire for creating unity among all people, but women in particular, is inspiring. It is people like you who can help bridge gaps and forge relationships that will change our world…one open, honest conversation at a time.