Being More Present Part 4 of 6

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The Creative Present

Joshua Townshend

38 episodes

1 day ago

Welcome to The Creative Present. This show is about expanding your creative self-expression. And, at the same time getting your projects done. JoshuaTownshend.com We start the work by being present. Present to yourself, your process, your current creative project. The first step is always to be present, so you can do the most potent and impactful work. To do this you will want to deepen the following; yourself, your senses, your inner space, your thoughts, your feelings, and your impeccable intention. All while being present to your own creative impulse in the here and now. Working with customized techniques to help your creative development and process. You have so many skill sets that were born with and talents that are innate to you. We need to capitalize on these traits first. After that, then you can stretch yourselves as a creative. Develop more layers and facets to your work, your projects, and yourself. On a project level, the main work is about the story, because the story is always at the heart of what we do. Awareness, sense, and sensibility development is foundational. Getting in touch with who you are and where you're going is key if you wish to consciously create. These aspects of the creative process tend to be cast aside while working on projects. While side-stepping these phases can be alluring in the short-term, it will wind up costing you more in the long term. What you are working on here is a merging of the states of awareness as a creative. Along with the proper tools and techniques for the project that you're working on. This work amalgamates towards one cohesive end. Helping you to complete your projects. Then, get that project out into the world while maintaining your creative development. We all need to break old habits that are not in our best interest, creatively speaking. These old paradigms include; not completing, not starting, getting stuck halfway through, not putting our projects and ourselves out into the world. We all have a propensity towards at least one of these dynamics. We want to cultivate a new habit. This cycle of creation we are about to talk about has been around for millennia. It is a cycle that's based on the natural world, which has three distinct phases: Create, Release, Relax. We create something, we release it into the world, then relax. This cycle is in the natural world. You can see it everywhere. In the microcosm, we do it every single day, every moment of our lives, it is - breathing. When you breathe, there are the same three phases. You create a breath, you release the breath, and then you have a little moment of relaxation. Then, the next cycle repeats itself. With this kind of natural process, there is no time, there's timing, there's no force, there is a state of being. Some of the practical tools and tips are only there to serve you to get you through the next phase of development. The state of awareness and deepening your creativity is a continual development phase. There are no know limits. When deep in your creative process, you can go beyond what you are working on. You will have the ability to delve deep into your consciousness and experience the creative self in a new way. We are always working on both priorities at the same time. Consciously creating the foundational sense and sensibilities as creatives. And at the same time - getting projects completed and out into the world. They might appear to be the classic pair of opposites pulling against each other. From another perspective, they are complementary. Both aspects are asking for expansion and contraction at different times. To birth a baby you will need to have both expansion and contraction. To birth your new creative self, the pair of these opposites is essential. Key Words: alchemy, conscious creation, creative writing, screenplays, story, character development, acting, performing

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Being More Present Part 4 of 6 | EP.024

The Creative Present

4 minutes 58 seconds

1 year ago

Being More Present Part 4 of 6 | EP.024

The Direction of Focus: Harnessing Creative Impulses with Intention

The Power of Focus and Intention in Creativity

Focus and intention are key in the realm of creativity. Let's explore how to take a creative impulse and direct it with intention, creating a more impactful and coherent artistic expression.

Setting the Baseline of Intention

Every creative endeavor should start with a clear baseline of intention. This could be a theme, a goal, or even the name of a scene. For instance, naming scenes helps anchor your focus and provides a reference point for your creative process. Sometimes, it can be helpful to name your scenes. Giving them directional titles akin to the apparent event can be beneficial. Names like "The Breakup," "The First Date," or "The Big Fight." These title/labels can give direction and infuse your work with purpose.

Understanding Creative Impulses

Creative impulses are spontaneous, emerging from a state of being rather than premeditated ideas. Unlike ideas, which are cerebral and planned, creative impulses are grounded in the present moment and lived experiences. They are raw, unfiltered bursts of creativity that need direction to shape them into coherent expressions.

Let's explore this with an example. Imagine you're working on a scene called "The First Date." Your intention is to create a scenario that leads to a second date. As you improvise, you notice your partner's subtle actions – perhaps she spins a ring on her finger or plays with her bracelet. These observations spark a creative impulse.

Directing Creative Impulses

To direct your creative impulses, you need to align them with your baseline of intention. Here's how you can do it:

Observe and Respond: Pay close attention to the details in the moment. Notice your partner's actions, expressions, and any subtle cues. These observations are the raw material for your creative impulses.
Conscious and Unconscious Responses: Recognize your immediate, unconscious reactions to these observations. Bring these reactions into your conscious awareness. For instance, if you feel intrigued by your partner's actions, acknowledge that feeling.
Shape the Impulse: To mold and direct the impulse, use your conscious awareness. If you intend to create a positive connection, steer the conversation or action toward that goal. For example, if you notice your partner spinning her ring, you might say, "That ring is beautiful. Does it have a special story?" This response is rooted in the present observation and directed towards building a connection.

Balancing Conscious and Unconscious Creativity

Creativity thrives when there is a balance between conscious direction and unconscious spontaneity. By becoming aware of your unconscious responses, you can harness them to serve your conscious intentions. This interplay between the conscious and unconscious enriches your creative process.

Practical Application: Creative Exercises

To further illustrate how to direct creative impulses, let's explore a few practical exercises:

Exercise 1: Scene Naming and Intention Setting

Choose a Scene Name: Title the scene with a name that encapsulates the scene's essence. For example, "The Job Interview."

Set Your Intention: Define what you want to achieve in this scene. Perhaps your intention is to showcase the character's confidence.

Improvise with Focus: Keep your intention in mind as you improvise the scene. Notice any spontaneous actions or reactions and direct them toward your goal.

Exercise 2: Sensory Observation and Response

Sensory Awareness: Choose a setting and focus on your sensory inputs – sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.

Document Observations: Write down your observations in detail. For example, the sound of birds chirping, the texture of the chair you're sitting on, or the smell of coffee.

Creative Impulse: Reflect on your observations and note any creative impulses they spark. Direct these impulses into a piece of writing, a scene, or any other medium you choose.

Takeaways: Embracing Your Creative Flow

Directing creative impulses with intention will transform your artistic process.

By setting a clear baseline of intention, observing and responding to sensory inputs, and balancing conscious and unconscious creativity, you can create more impactful and coherent works of art.

Remember, creativity is not just about spontaneous bursts of inspiration. It's about channeling those bursts with purpose and focus. Embrace the dance of conscious direction and unconscious spontaneity, and let your creativity flourish.

Thank you for joining me in exploring the direction of focus in creativity. If you enjoyed this post, please share it with fellow creatives and subscribe for more insights and inspiration.

And remember, stay present, stay aware, and keep creating.

The Creative Present