Being More Present Part 6 of 6

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The Creative Present

Joshua Townshend

38 episodes

6 days 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 6 of 6 | EP.026

The Creative Present

7 minutes 43 seconds

1 year ago

Being More Present Part 6 of 6 | EP.026

Embracing Presence: The Dance of Polarity in Narrative

Welcome to the sixth and final episode in our series on presence!

Today, we're exploring the law of polarity, the dynamic dance between expansion and contraction, positive and negative, light and dark, masculine and feminine, and more. Understanding and utilizing this polarity is essential for creating compelling narratives that captivate creators and audiences.

The Dance of Polarity

Polarity is everywhere. It's about expansion and contraction, light and dark, positive and negative. In narratives, this concept is crucial. The cycles of expansion and contraction create undulation and change, driving the story forward. These cycles can be short or long, depending on the genre and the narrative arc.

For instance, in a romantic comedy, you often see an upward spiral—characters grow, evolve, and end up in a better place than where they started. Conversely, a tragedy usually follows a downward spiral, with characters descending into a worse state. Sometimes, narratives take a cyclical approach, reminiscent of purgatory, where characters don't fundamentally change but continue to cycle through the same patterns, which can be used effectively in comedies, dramas, and other genres.

Expansion and Contraction in Practice

Let's break down how expansion and contraction work within a narrative.

Imagine your character's presence is constantly shifting between these two states:

Expansion: When the character is open, engaging, and experiencing positive outcomes.

Contraction: When the character feels closed off, defensive, or faces negative experiences.

This undulation keeps both the character and the audience engaged. This ebb and flow creates tension and release, making the narrative compelling. Think of any great courtroom drama. One side appears to be winning, only for a surprising twist to shift the balance. This constant back-and-forth keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.

The Impact on Behavior

Ultimately, narratives are about behavior—how characters think and feel at any given moment, informed by their state of being. This state of being is constantly between expansion and contraction, positive and negative. Watching this behavior unfold is what keeps audiences hooked.

Consider a sporting event where one team dominates from start to finish. If the outcome is predictable, the excitement fades. In contrast, a closely contested game with frequent lead changes keeps viewers engaged until the very end. The same principle applies to narratives. Characters must experience wins and losses, ups and downs, to keep the story interesting.

Avoiding Predictability

One of the pitfalls in storytelling is predictability. When narratives become too predictable, they lose their impact. This can often be seen in films with heavy agendas or overly formulaic plots. For example, some films with a solid ideological bent or certain Hallmark movies can become predictable as characters play out expected roles without real depth or change.

However, predictability is sometimes good. Knowing the outcome can sometimes be comforting, like in a beloved soap opera or a nostalgic film. The key is to balance familiarity with enough unexpected elements to keep the audience engaged.

Practicing Presence

So, how do you practice this dance of polarity in your creative work? It starts with being present. Embrace expansion and contraction in your presence and let that flow into your work. Whether you're writing, acting, directing, or producing, stay aware of the undulation in your narrative.

Stay engaged and keep creating!

Thank you for joining me on this journey through presence and polarity.

Keep practicing these principles in your daily life and creative work.

Remember, it's this dynamic dance that keeps both you and your audience engaged. Share your experiences, insights, and questions with me. Let's continue to explore and deepen our understanding of the creative process together.

Keep creating, stay present, and embrace the dance of polarity in your narratives.

Stay tuned for more tips, insights, and approaches to the work.

Thanking you

Joshua

The Creative Present