In this talk, Almaas leads us on an inspired journey into the nature of creativity — what is it? — why is it so important to us? Or, in his words, "What's the big deal?" The setting for this talk was one of incredible creative beauty with exquisite fine art paintings on view for a benefit auction that was to follow. These pieces were generously donated by members of the Grass Valley Graphics Group and the Diamond Heart School. Almaas tells us that generosity is a key component in a truly creative act. He says that creativity seems to be a result of the tension between the polarity of service and generosity.
Another subject touched upon is narcissism and creativity. Almaas states that, "... for a long time creativity is inseparable from narcissism." He looks at narcissism from two entirely different points of view and says, "True creativity works by freeing it from superficial narcissism."
Later in the talk Almaas greatly expands the definition of what is creative. Using an analogy of a sculptor and his hand he says that it's not just the sculpture that is being created. "I'm not only moving my hand, I'm creating my hand ... There is no individual making something; that is just a way of looking at it."
Some final conclusions are: "We like creativity because it connects us to something so fundamental about our existence, our reality .... Reality is being created instant by instant all the time, continuously, without interruption ... the amazing truth and the exquisite sense of beauty to that. We like creativity because it is a reflection of that."
In the second half E.J. Gold looks at creativity from the viewpoint of the practicing artist. He discusses the idea of art being a process, not a product. "It's a process of discovery. Self-discovery? No, it's revelation."
Commenting further on the hand and sculpture analogy, he says, "... the process of amazement is there too. The hand and the sculpture are connected, absolutely connected, and flowing ... within each other, to each other, back and forth from each other. The process of amazement comes from a point of attention. That is what I teach." "Later," he says, "you can use art to practice the attention."
A lively Q&A session winds up this dynamic talk, including questions from the audience and from Almaas to Gold.
Also available on video.
