Sandbox of the Subconscious: ongoing project in my living room
On 10/2/11, I delivered a 90-minute presentation at Imagery International’s annual conference. My topic was Using Guided Imagery To Overcome Creative Blocks. In it, I mapped eight stages of Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey onto the creative process. To illustrate the eight stages, I shared a tale from The Odyssey, I discussed how each stage relates to the creative process, and for each stage I shared questions for reflection, and explained one or two imagery techniques that I find helpful. I will post notes from my presentation in parts here. Click here for the series of entries.
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The Belly of the Whale—Odysseus’ Story
A classic belly of the whale story is when Odysseus travels to the realm of the Underworld to confer with the one person who can tell him the route to get home.
It takes courage to enter the land of the dead. There he finds his mother who has committed suicide because she could no longer bear not knowing what happened to her son. He is also greeted by the hero, Agamemnon, who made it home from Troy only to be murdered by his wife’s lover. Additionally, he learns that Penelope has throngs of suitors who are not only trying to usurp his bed, but his entire life. You can imagine the new sense of urgency Odysseus has to return home.
For the artist, The Belly of the Whale means facing the inner critic and the shadow of the psyche
This is one of the most difficult stages for the artist. Here is where the artist encounters the voice of the inner critic and may be challenged to speak his or her truth. Getting through this stage takes courage: the willingness to transform, and to face the shadow of the psyche.
Here are some questions when you find yourself in the Belly of the Whale.
The Belly of the Whale: For Reflection:
- What is at stake if you turn back now? What will you regret?
- What is to be gained, how will you grow if you move forward?
- What must you give up or sacrifice to move forward?
- Is there a benefit to staying stuck?
- What is the voice of resistance or fear saying? What is the voice of commitment saying?
- Who has been destructive to your creative spirit? Consider family, friends, teachers, and coworkers. What negative messages have you received from them about your ability to create?
- What past experiences might be contributing to this resistance or fear?
The Belly of the Whale—Imagery Techniques:
- Parts work, with an experienced practitioner, can be very powerful for inner conflict resolution. (See Hypnosis for Inner Conflict Resolution by Roy Hunter, and Ego State Therapy by Gordon Emerson. See also Tsultrim Allione’s book, Feeding Your Demons: Ancient Wisdom for Resolving Inner Conflict, and Susan Ezra and Terry Reed’s audio recording of their webinar, Spring Cleaning Your Inner Critic, found at www.integrativemagery.com.)
- Imagine the aspect of you that is feeling resistance in mediation with the aspect of you that is motivated to create. You might imagine your wisest self as the mediator.
- Regression with an experienced practitioner is another powerful technique for unearthing and healing the root of a creative block.
- Imagine comforting, supporting, and empowering the inner child whose creative spirit has been stifled or attacked. Imagine giving him or her a creativity care package filled with tools, and materials for creative play. Explore the care package together.
Click here for Part 7—Road of Trials and Temptations
Tags: creative blocks, creativity, guided imagery, hero's journey, hypnosis
