Creating from the Spirit: A Path to Creative Power in Art and Life

By Dan Wakefield

Book Overview

"THIS BOOK WILL STRETCH YOUR MIND AND HELP YOU FIND THE SOURCE OF YOUR OWN SPIRITUAL AND CREATIVE POWERS." --Yoga Journal In this passionate, clearly reasoned book, award-winning journalist and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345374304
• ISBN13: 9780345374301
• Release Date: June 1996
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 321 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.5" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

A nice guide for the spiritually-minded artist

Acclaimed novelist and "inspirational" author Dan Wakefield has created a nice volume about the creative process, titled "Creating From the Spirit". Wakefield basically gives tips on how to utilize the creative spirit to its full potential, using the ins and outs of everyday life as a springboard to greater artistry. As a writer of poetry myself, I see a lot of value in Wakefield's simple hints and suggestions. As the title would suggest, Wakefield writes with a decidedly "spiritual" slant, but some traditional Christians may be put off by his rather all-encompasing "Unitarian" theology, as he quotes everyone from liberal-minded Catholics, to feminist extremists, to new age-y "self-help" gurus, treating all with equal vigor! Wakefield also quotes from several artists from varying worldviews and creative mediums, who give their own theories on creative inspiration. One of the most interesting chapters deals with what Wakefield calls "the myths of creativity", as he convincingly debunks the oldest "myth" of all...that drugs, alcohol, and self-destructive behavior somehow enhance an artists creativity! As a reformed alcoholic (which he admits openly), Wakefield obviously speaks from experience, and makes a great case for a clear-headed, drug-free approach to art and life. This book is highly recommended to anyone seeking enlightenment about the creative mind, but some readers will no-doubt have to take Wakefield's "open minded" theology with a grain of salt.

Two Sides of Creativity

If you are an artist who has turned to alcohol or drugs in your struggle with creativity, if you feel that being creativity requires you to be alienated and irresponsible, then this book is definitely for you. However, if you do not have any such problem, then half this book is for you. Wakefield has taken at least half the space in this work, or so it seems, to deal with the Dylan Thomases and the Ernest Hemingways of the artistic world who subscribe to the myth that an artist can not be at their best unless they are completely engulfed in misery. Wakefield, who himself had to deal with this tragic myth, shows how it is a total fallacy by contrasting these artists with others who are fulfilled, widely-accepted and seemingly content. But this is not a critical work by any means. There is a very practical side to it as well. Wakefield draws upon the experiences of these fulfilled artists to get at the heart - or rather the spirit, as the title imples - of creativity. And not only artists, but people from all walks of life including clergy, atheletes, business executives and secretaries, who believe their lives are creative. And to Wakefield's credit, he steps out of the way and lets each of these tell their own personal story in their own words and reveal methods they use to unleash that mysterious well of energy residing deep inside each of us - our creativity. No doubt anyone trying to get in touch with their creative faculties will find this section of the work interesting to say the least and can regard it from that standpoint as a valuable resource

The Two Sides of Creativity

If you are an artist who has turned to alcohol or drugs in your struggle with creativity, if you feel that being creativity requires you to be alienated and irresponsible, then this book is definitely for you. However, if you do not have any such problem, then half this book is for you. Wakefield has taken at least half the space in this work, or so it seems, to deal with the Dylan Thomases and the Ernest Hemingways of the artistic world who subscribe to the myth that an artist can not be at their best unless they are completely engulfed in misery. Wakefield, who himself had to deal with this tragic myth, shows how it is a total fallacy by contrasting these artists with others who are fulfilled, widely-accepted and seemingly content. But this is not a critical work by any means. There is a very practical side to it as well. Wakefield draws upon the experiences of these fulfilled artists to get at the heart - or rather the spirit, as the title imples - of creativity. And not only artists, but people from all walks of life including clergy, atheletes, business executives and secretaries, who believe their lives are creative. And to Wakefield's credit, he steps out of the way and lets each of these tell their own personal story in their own words and reveal methods they use to unleash that mysterious well of energy residing deep inside each of us - our creativity. No doubt anyone trying to get in touch with their creative faculties will find this section of the work interesting to say the least and can regard it from that standpoint as a valuable resource