Imagination and Mentors

  • Imagination and Mentors

    Imagination is everything. It is the preview to life’s coming attractions. – Albert Einstein

    Guest Blogger Suzanne Murray and imagination:

    I’ve been asking myself, how can I best help empower others at this time of great global change.

    The first answer that came in the flash of inspiration was the word imagination.

    Einstein regularly insisted that imagination is more important than knowledge.

    But the thing is, it’s not just for geniuses. It’s for everyone. We have been taught to favor the rational mind at the expenses of capacities that actually can help us in amazing ways. It’s easy to reclaim.

    Years ago, I learned an exercise from Jean Houston, noted author, visionary and one of the founders of the human consciousness movement. It involves working with an imaginary mentor to get advice on any question that we have for any area of our life. Using our imagination and intuitive mind give us access to a deeper wisdom and way of knowing beyond the capabilities of our linear mind.

    I have used this exercise for years in teaching writing and with creativity coaching. I have been amazed and delighted that my students get much better advice than I could have ever given with all my years of experience. Everyone in class could hear the wisdom coming through as we shared our answers.

    Most remarkable is that the answers actually sounded like they were coming from the individual asked. If someone asked Mark Twain, the response would sound like something Mark Twain would write.

    Tapping your imagination and writing in flow can give you access to expanded awareness and better answers you could think up.

    TRY THIS: Pick someone you think would give good advice. It could be Einstein, Plato or your grandmother. Imagine you have written him or her a letter asking a question you have about anything in your life. It helps to be specific.

    Then using the technique of free writing (writing as fast you can without censoring), write the response as if it is coming from your imaginary mentor.

    Really let go on this one. Don’t think. Just let the answer flow out of the pen or the keyboard for at least ten minutes.

    Then read the answer with an open curiosity as if you really have just received this letter in the mail. Be open, be objective. The more you play with this, the stronger the muscle of your imagination grows.

    OR TRY THIS: Go for a walk with your imaginary mentor and have a conversation with them in your imagination. The key is to play and be open. Let go of thinking that you have to figure out everything with your mind.

    Wishing you an abundance of health and creativity, Suzanne

    Suzanne Murray is a gifted creativity and writing coach, soul-based life coach, writer, poet, EFT practitioner and intuitive healer committed to empowering others to find the freedom to ignite their creative fire, unleash their imagination and engage their creative expression in every area of their lives.

    Suzanne’s ebook, The Heart of Writing, will help: Jumpstart  the Process, Find Your Voice, Calm the Inner Critic and Tap the Creative Flow.

    Marlene C

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  • Establishing a practice can help you move forward in magical ways.

    Guest Blogger Suzanne Murray writes about: The Power of Establishing a Practice.

    Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness concerning all acts of initiative and creation. There is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans; that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen events, meetings and material assistance which no one could have dreamed would have come their way. I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets: “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now!” – W.H. Murray The Scottish Himalayan Expedition

    Whether it’s for writing, meditation, or exercise, establishing a practice can help you move forward in magical ways. Having a practice means that you show up every day, no matter what. You are going to want to release all expectations of outcome or where you think you want things to go. It doesn’t matter how good you are or what you accomplish or what happens with the practice. You sit down to meditate and your mind goes wild with chatter the entire time, that’s fine. You show up to write and find yourself whining on the page, that’s okay. The point is to show up and practice.

    A lot of things are happening when you show up consistently to something. You begin to forge the neural nets in your brain needed for the task and strengthen them so that whatever you are committed to actually becomes easier to do and you are able to increase our level of skill. In writing your subconscious mind is working 24/7 on whatever you give it to focus on, so showing up everyday allows you to access new insights and ideas arising from your expanded mind.

    You commit and take the action. The universe responds in kind to the power of your willingness and the force your commitment. Free from expecting that you need to accomplish something, you relax and open up to allowing. In this receptive state, the your subconscious mind aligns with the workings of the Universe and you find support, synchronicities and inspired ideas coming to you.

    Establishing a practice helps you move beyond any resistance that has been in the way. When you release the need for instant gratification you slip into a sense of satisfaction from the simple act of showing up for yourself. You learn to find joy in the practice itself and this allows you to expand your creative capacity.

    To begin, start small. When I coach writers who are having a hard time showing up,  I ask them at first to commit to writing ten minutes a day. This helps you cross the threshold of resistance and move past the associated voice that tells you that you don’t have enough time. Once you have established the habit of showing up you will find things flowing with greater ease.

    Suzanne MurraySuzanne Murray is a creativity and empowerment coach and offers healing work with EFT.  Her eBook contains material that she has used for more than twenty years in her writing classes. Her ebook helps followers to show up to write, find their voice, deepen their experience with the writing process and surrender to the creative flow and let the magic happen. The portable book is like being in one of her workshops and allows participatns to establish writing as a practice. Suzanne offers her book with a 14 day money back guarantee. For information about Suzanne’s ebook and her coaching packages,  please click here.

    Check out Suzanne’s inspiring Blog, Creativity Goes Wild, for ideas on writing, creativity and life coaching.

    Marlene C

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