| Meditation presents an interesting paradox. | | | | and then sit quietly and see what answers pop |
| It requires humility and acceptance, and yet | | | | into your head. You can also try writing it |
| it results in self-empowerment and increased | | | | on a piece of paper and putting it under your |
| confidence. | | | | pillow.b. Toning - Toning is a way to use |
| | | | your singing voice to achieve extraordinary |
| Low self-esteem, which affects and can | | | | calm, connection to spirit, connection to |
| cripple many creative artists, leads us to | | | | others and physical relaxation. Take a deep |
| believe that we're not worth much, and | | | | breath, filling your diaphragm and then your |
| therefore our ideas (our songs) probably | | | | lungs. On exhalation, choose a vowel, pitch |
| aren't either. This low self-esteem is a | | | | and volume that feel comfortable and |
| distant cousin to humility. Humility involves | | | | effortless, and sing a steady tone until |
| accepting ourselves for who we are, which | | | | you're ready to take a new breath. For more |
| includes our limitations. | | | | ideas on using music as a tool of spiritual |
| | | | connection and creativity, I highly recommend |
| So, our goal is to humbly seek answers from | | | | the book Essential Musical Intelligence by |
| within (meditation) and from above (prayer). | | | | Dr. Louise Montello.c. Rest your gaze - Find |
| Even more important is to accept the answers | | | | something that you find soothing to look at. |
| we receive. Accepting them, even if we don't | | | | Some people use a landscape picture, a |
| like, or are surprised by what we hear, can | | | | burning candle, a spot on the wall, a |
| enrich our lives with peace and contentment. | | | | flower-it really can be anything. Focus on |
| The answers may also hold lots of wonderful | | | | the object and gaze at it deeply, letting |
| ideas for our creative endeavors. | | | | thoughts come and go and staying present in |
| | | | the moment.d. Journal - Write your question |
| Artists sometimes have the experience of | | | | at the top of a piece of paper, or on your |
| music, words, or other ideas, coming to them | | | | computer, and answer the question in a stream |
| from "out of nowhere". Where is this | | | | of consciousness style.e. Walking Meditation |
| "nowhere" and how can we go in there after | | | | - Pose your question to yourself at the |
| all of those great ideas?? | | | | beginning of your walk. While outdoors, |
| | | | become very present in the moment and notice |
| How do we get from the point of damaging low | | | | the things around you. When thoughts and |
| self-esteem (giving a microphone and stage to | | | | answers flow in to your mind, notice them and |
| our inner critics and then beating ourselves | | | | then bring your attention back to everything |
| over the head about what we're hearing), to | | | | you're seeing.f. More Meditation Tips - If |
| genuine humility, meditation, self-acceptance | | | | you find yourself analyzing or "figuring |
| and creative bounty? | | | | things out" during the meditation process, |
| | | | gently let go of that and ask the question |
| Here are some suggestions: | | | | again. Don't judge any of your ideas or |
| | | | answers-simply collect them. |
| 1. Practice gratitude - When you're so busy | | | | |
| being grateful for all the things you have | | | | 3. Prayer - prayer allows us to humbly |
| (your health, your mobility, a few bucks in | | | | acknowledge that there is a life force bigger |
| your pocket, food & shelter, friends & | | | | than ourselves. Many of the artists I spoke |
| family) and that you're good at (face it, | | | | to for my book, "The Creativity Interviews" ( |
| there's only a small percentage of the | | | | spoke of being a channel for something |
| population with musical gifts and even less | | | | bigger-that their creative works were simply |
| who are doing anything with them!), your | | | | a communication from spirit, and that their |
| inner critic won't stand a chance! A great | | | | job was simply to express it. That IS a |
| practice (which even Oprah Winfrey is known | | | | humbling thought! |
| to promote) is a daily list of things you're | | | | |
| grateful for. | | | | I hope this article will help you to find |
| | | | inspiration, while letting go of the struggle |
| 2. Meditation - There are countless books, | | | | to find it. I also hope that writing a |
| tapes, videos and classes that teach people | | | | gratitude list, at least once, will help you |
| how to meditate. Here are some basic tips and | | | | to connect with your gifts, strengths and |
| I encourage you to explore further.a. Ask a | | | | abundance. |
| question - If you're busy struggling to | | | | |
| figure something out (how those two lines are | | | | This article was originally published on the |
| going to go together, what chord structure to | | | | Muses Muse Songwriter's Resource website |
| use for the bridge, or how you're going to | | | | (October 2004) |
| make rent this month), try letting go of the | | | | |
| struggle and simply letting the question of | | | | (c) Copyright 2005, Genuine Coaching |
| what to do "hang out" for a while. Ask it, | | | | Services. |