Week 10- Recovering a Sense of Self-Protection

The Artist’s Way --

A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity

Recovering a Sense of Self-Protection


This week we explore the perils that can ambush us on our creative path. Because creativity is a spiritual issue, many of the perils are spiritual perils. In the essays, tasks, and exercises of this week, we search out the toxic patterns we cling to that block our creative flow.


KEY IDEAS:

Dangers of the Trail

Creativity is God energy flowing through us.
Knowing yourself as an artist means acknowledging what things you abuse when you want to block yourself.
It is always fear that leads us to grabbing for a block.
Workaholism

Workaholism is an addiction that blocks creative energy.
Play can make a workaholic very nervous – fun is scary.
The Workaholism Quiz – pg. 167
Drought

In every creative life there are dry seasons.
Stumble on – stay on the morning pages.
Droughts do end.
Fame

Fame is addictive and it always leaves us hungry.
Focusing on fame creates a continual feeling of lack.
The only cure for the fame drug is creative endeavor.
Competition

Competition lies at the root of much creative blockage.
The need to win is the need to win approval from others – learn to approve of yourself.

Read Chapter ten
Do the Tasks at the end of the chapter
Read “Basic Principles” daily
Read Affirmations daily
Write Morning Pages daily
Go on an Artist’s Date this week