9 posts tagged “articles”

What are you truly capable of doing? How far can you take your abilities, skills and intelligence?

This question made me think a bit earlier on what I like to call, "Mastery of Potential". I've always been intensely fascinated by what you can get your mind to do and how far you can push it. I don't think many people come anywhere close to seeing what they can truly get their minds to accomplish.

I coined th phrase, "Mastery of Potential" for myself several years ago. Mastery of potential is an act of expanding your mind's abilities as far as possible in order to see what you can accomplish, thus discovering and mastering your true potential.

For short, i like to call this act "Mopping". If someone wants to train themselves in this manner, then they desire "to MOP" or "mop".

When "mopping" you would be exerting yourself to see and do the same things in as many ways as you can so that many areas of your brain can be developed and stretched.

Let's take an artist as an example. A traditional artist who paints and draws.

This artist is a master in painting and illustrating urban/metropolitan scenes. He or she has become very adept at capturing the common denominator of the general feeling and look of big city environments. Keep in mind that what sets this artist apart from the average person in perception here is that the average person in a such a cityscape takes their surroundings for granted. If this average city person was shown a picture of a city scene, they'd be able to point out that the scene was indeed a typical metropolitan scene with typical city elements and usual city motifs, but they would not be able to reproduce this visual understanding in an art piece like the example expert artist could.
Now although this artist has become an expert in this facet of art, there are still MANY ways that he/she are able to creatively apply their intimate visual familiarity of city environments. Basically, there are a "millions" ways you can apply a knowledge in a given area... if you truly wanted to test yourself.

    
• The artist can look at fashions often on display in urban environments and be inspired to come up with fashions that take on a city vibe. The artist would start to pay attention to even more minute details in city environments which includes what people are wearing and how they wear it.

    
• The artist can look at the type of shapes, objects and colors that are typically thematic of a city and design sculpture, jewelry, furniture that takes on that likeness. This would get the artist to truly know the nature of how furniture is constructed, how forms are three dimensionally built with clay, metal or any other material and how accessories are stylized and created in a multitude of ways.

    
• The artist can come up with theme and plots for stories that are set in urban environments with unique situations, characterizations and conflicts that are totally based on urban living. This might inspire the artist to pay closer attention to events, conversations and actions that happen in a cityscape around him/her more than usual.

    
• The artist can begin to think in animated or motion visuals regarding big city settings. The artist starts to pay closer attention to the way things move and function rather than how they appear statically appear. This will get the artist to think in actions.

    
• The artist can think of making original recipes for foods and drink that capture the quintessence of living in a large city. The artist will start to become more aware of aromas, eateries and foods in many urban places. They will begin to seek out the details for this type of multifaceted sensation.

The artist in this case can use their intimate knowledge and familiarity of cityscapes, normally used in their drawings and paintings, and find many other ways to invent and perceive the -same- area or subject. Each time he/she stretches their mind into exploring other "faces" of the same complex mental diamond, the artist becomes more aware and intelligent; more of a dynamic and profound thinker and creator. They can then function VERY flexibly. They are now riding the path of "mastery of potential".

Of course this is all theoretical. I mean it would take a LOT for someone to live in this fashion. Very -few- people could do it. It would be nonstop learning to the nth degree in the most intense and fully involved manner. You would also need discipline yourself, compel yourself to interact constantly in so many forms and could not be lazy.

You'd have to be fully motivated and highly active. Each person could do less or more than the other but I think most humans are capable of profound expression and expansion. Humans in general are capable of such amazing things and when I occasionally slip into an "alien view" of this truth, it's absolutely astounding.

I then wonder why we are inclined this way as species and I go back to that ever-persistent question, "What is our purpose here as a species?"

I also wonder how we will evolve further over time and what evolution will bring and look like. How much further can we advance collectively on this planet? Where is this all leading to (if you believe that there is a higher purpose in all of this)?

Some might say survival but if that were the only drive, we wouldn't really need to be where we are now regarding technological advancement and industrialization. There are many societies that still live in what we like to call "primitive" fashion and they do just fine surviving. In some cases, they might live less complex and confusing lives than many of us in "first nation" societies. But that's just an argument, a supposition of sorts. Who knows really. But I do know we don't need as MUCH as we tend to want and have in order to "just survive" if that's one's complete answer to my question.

Anyway, going back to "mastery of potential", I'd love the idea of incorporating a bit of that into my life; learning how to see and do things in as many ways as I can...over time of course. I love relaxing too and just being, so I don't feel this need to take it to the extreme and neglect the experience of simple relating and having fun, although I value the idea of "mopping".

In some ways I already ride that wave, but I know I would upgrade my surfboard as well as the waters I choose to surf in if I wanted to. One of my goals is to do just that this year.

Some people might be confused as to HOW to mop. To start, look at something that you think you can do fairly to really well.

Are you an accountant who is good with numbers? If so, how might you apply your skill with numbers in other ways? How about inventing a new equation, using numbers to come up with an innovation financing system for banking and doing taxes, using numbers to learn how to speed add/multiply/subtract/divide big chains of numbers in short time periods, use numbers to come up with a fascinating board game or story or use numbers to invent a personal language? You can do MANY things with your intelligence with numbers and numbers relations. Think about it.

If you are a house painter, start painting pictures, begin creating your own paints and dyes by studying how paints are made, read about the history of paints, use a completely different type of paint for house painting that might just as well or better, come up with a super paint that has winning features, use unorthodox materials for a type of "paint", begin painting with odd objects to see how the painting process can be altered for a new experience or move on to painting other objects other than houses to see how well you do in those areas and how you might see the process differently in those areas.

Mopping can also take you into entirely new areas of ability and make you aware of how related seemingly unrelated subjects or activities are by discovering new connections between things. If you sing, how might you use your singing to inspire writing? If you act, how might you use your acting skills to design clothes or even create sketches for indoor interiors that personify unique "personalities"?

What can YOU do? What does your true potential look like? How many ways can you get your brain to learn and expand?

Try "mopping" and see what happens. See how you develop and discover more about you. The possibilities are endless.

What is the American dream?

Of course each person defines it differently when it is defined on an individual basis, but for many I'd argue that the American dream is about attaining financial prosperity. Some people might argue that it includes other things such as family, romantic relationships, and a great network of friends. I wouldn't disagree, but again I see the driving force of the American dream as the desire for wealth. Wealth represents comfort, security..."good living".

Everyone wants a piece of prosperity pie. I don't feel this is a bad thing necessarily as long as the perspective is in check, in that a person isn't blindly driven, at all costs, by this pursuit.

Because of the economic meltdown, it seems like so many people are thinking that the American dream is out of reach...that it's a dream that must be retired. I am witnessing this sentiment through CNN and C-SPAN news reports, various business/finance/work discussion forums and several friends and acquaintances as discussions deepen on job losses, debt, financial strain and even career refocus. Some people have been in job positions for years that are now categorically disappearing. These are people who've been used to specializing in a certain career role and have invested all of their time, training and experience in a specific skill set.

Not everyone has the luxury of going back to school as they deal with ongoing financial demands that they no longer can meet as efficiently as before (or in some cases at all). Not everyone knows what their next step should be once they realize the need to change their game plan. They might see that their talents and abilities are only best expressed through a specific job type. They are probably still paying off student loans in addition to car loans and credit card debt. I think the current conditions are forcing people to either at least redefine their strategy in working towards accomplishing their vision of the American dream or define it differently completely which might not include the goal of wealth anymore.

I also think many people who currently own businesses are wondering if they will be able to grow their investments as they'd hope to now that they aren't doing so well. In fact their businesses might be very close to folding as they try to make ends meet and pay off both personal and business expenses. Some people might find themselves spending way more time working at their businesses because as a small entity, they too have laid off workers they can't afford to finance, and as a result need to cover many of those duties and tasks on their own. Things only get worse if they are married and have families because there is less time to spend with loved ones.

People who currently work at jobs aren't truly in control, especially now. They do realize that, depending on the agenda of the company they work for, they could become expendable at any time. Furthermore, one doesn't build wealth through an investment of time at a 9-5 job. If that's where <b>most</b> of one's income comes from, they aren't really ahead of the game and there's not much financial leverage. That makes them even more dependent on and vulnerable to their company's provisions. That's not exactly a secure place to be either during an economy's breakdown. People want security and that includes in knowing where they stand and how they are truly valued in an industry.

Some freelancers in certain industries are feeling the pinch too. They might still have work coming in, however new and regular clients in many cases have less money to pay freelancers for a project, so freelancers are having to agree to fees that are lower than what they usually charge hourly. There are also longer gaps present with getting regular work. Several friends who freelance full-time aren't doing as well as before. Many of them live either on their own or with a roommate and express how difficult it is to continue to secure their independence. Some have had to move back home temporarily. I have one friend in particular who is contemplating moving back to the Midwest to live with her family because she can no longer afford her new apartment rent. If she doesn't find some steady work by next week, she is going to book a flight home and have to abandon many of the things she's got going  on here which includes her full independence. In terms of her career goals, Los Angeles is also the place for her to be, so that's another disadvantage.

Additionally, I do wonder how many people look at celebrities now. I wonder if the cult of fascination is finally beginning to show a decrease or even result in mass disgust and disdain. Or are people clinging more tightly to "living vicariously" through celebrities by obsessing over them more? Over the years, the culture of celebrity has grown to insane proportions. The lives of celebrities have come to truly represent an obscene and hyperbolic display of the American dream.

As for myself, do I feel that my vision of the American dream has been threatened?

I guess that depends on my perspective.  I am seeing some of my plans come through slowly but surely so far and I know I will continue to have to put in full effort in the areas I am focusing on right now for growth and expansion.   As for my goals for financial wealth, well I still believe that they are possible and although things are bad for the North American economy there are still opportunities for making money.

I just need to keep up with economic news, continue to research and learn, spend wisely and continue to believe and see that there's a demand for artistic output in entertainment both in the fields of writing and illustration.  My career goals mainly lie within those areas. I aspire to write and illustrate books, develop scripts, create and develop animation shorts, design game blueprints for developers (both casual gaming and console), sell and exhibit my artwork and create brands of my own through character designs and storytelling. All these tie into one another and they will happen in time.

If I can make good money doing what I love then I've managed to accomplish the gist of what I define as the American dream. I certainly include well-being and closeness of family, good health, eventually a happy stable marriage with my partner, circle of great friends, artistic enrichment and personal growth.

I guess my dream in a big picture perspective is to live a very fulfilling life where I can appreciate things and people holistically, see tremendous growth, clarity and confidence in myself overall, honor my true passions and constantly be a conduit and pursuer of inspiration.  I mean aren't these the most important things regardless of how uniquely they apply to each person? I feel all that generally takes care of the rest. They are goals of substance. Having money alone is not going to bring any of that necessarily although it's a possible byproduct of living your life meaningfully, authentically and to its fullest potential.

So no I don't believe that the American dream is -dead-. I think we all have to make some changes from now on in how we go about pursuing some of our goals and defining what is important to us. I guess we always had to do this but now, there's more challenge to really jump into this process.

2009 will be a year of seeing more focus and fruition in and from my efforts.

For everyone, 2009 should be a year of taking the right risks, expanding perspectives and experiences and applying your potential.

Live fully and life for you and most importantly, never stop believing in your dreams no matter what.

Since I was a little girl, I’ve always been captivated and intrigued by masquerades, carnivals, inventive costumes, surprise soirées, and signature birthday parties.  Additionally, I have a strong interest in concocting recipes for distinctive but tasty drinks and meals with an artistic flair and for sharing various forms of amusement with like-minded individuals.  Simply put, I revel in the art and experience of themed festivities.  All of those interests play a role in creating a themed event.

I’ve attended many carnivals and I often envision and sketch out fanciful costumes sometimes attached to wacky characters. I am also inspired by Edwardian balls, Venetian carnivals and the attire and masks that adorn attendants of these events. Over the years, my hobby in experimental recipes has led to the creation of a large list of original recipes for both food and drink to amuse myself and others. However, I have yet to carry out the fantasy of actively designing and executing a themed event of my own.

I feel that anyone can come up with an amazing and fantastic idea for a themed party. It just takes a willing mindset, a glowing imagination and an entertaining spirit.

I think many people feel very silly thinking about either attending or hosting a stylized event because by their very nature, these types of festivities encourage all involved to be free and inhibited in ways they usually aren’t. A person must be willing to step outside of his/her day-to-day code of behavior and even, dare I say, pretend a little. I think each and every one of us has some level of attraction to make-believe and pretend play, enough to where we’d like to have fun with some of the whimsical ideas that cross our minds or things that inspire us.

I also think that themed bashes can present a coaxing experience to the individuals that are often overcome by shyness. The leveling effect makes me think back to the old trick that speech instructors use when they often tell their students, before delivering an oral presentation, to imagine everyone in the class naked. I always liked to think that the objective was not necessarily about getting the student to solely desire humiliation for others, but rather to bring the presenter’s perspective back down to earth so that he or she could realize the humanity that was shared between everyone.  Decorative get-togethers can offer a similar sensation for those who are socially nervous and rigid thus making the truly intoxicating agent at a get-together not come through in the alcohol served but in the spirit of the party.

A themed party can be designed and hosted  by yourself or with a few creative and motivated friends. You have to make time to plan and gather your resources. You can literally celebrate anything. The purpose of celebration doesn’t have to be traditional or grand. In fact the more mundane, odd, or simple the concept celebrated is, the better and more imaginative a party can be.

The first step in planning for a themed party is to create a list of important planning questions.

These would be some questions that you might ask yourself and/or anyone else involved in the planning process:

What kind of theme would you base your party on?

You can come up with all sorts of ideas and incorporate them no matter how bizarre, plain or unlikely they seem.  Come up with motif and design arrangements that tie into what you choose to base your theme on.

Celebrate the current season, the month, the day of the week or an anniversary for anything you’ve done for more than a year.

Celebrate by honoring a particular film genre such as Asian horror, cult, black comedy, B movie,  film noir, silent movie or 70s vintage flicks. You can also theme a party entirely around a movie series or a single film.

Celebrate by dedicating a theme to Hawaiian cocktail drinks, boba/bubble tea beverages,  Asian or African teas, exotic fondues and wines, original pastry recipes, savory sauces and homemade jams, 50s diner foods, a certain type of fruit or finger foods.

Celebrate by designing the party around Venetian masks, RPG characters, astrological signs, colors, patterns and textures, comic book characters, a random adjective, a subculture, or an art period.

Who would you invite?

Think about people you relate best to; people who would be interested in attending a themed party and would possibly not mind helping out in some way to make the event as exciting as it could be. If you are open to inviting casual friends and other acquaintances, this is fine as well. The machination of the invitation list is up to you.

How would you go about inviting others?

In this part of the planning, you can also show your zest for creativity. You might choose to send out invitations in a way that foreshadows the style and intended festive mood for the party.  For example, if your party is going to be cop-themed, you might send out invitations that resemble parking tickets, traffic violation citations or badges.

How big or small do you want your party to be and can people bring guests?

This will be an important area to plan for because the size of your party will determine the details for so many other stages of the planning process. You will be able to figure out the size of space you will need to carry out your party, how much food and drink supply will be needed, how many invitations you will officially be sending out and how much money will be spent overall. Furthermore, if you require guests to also contribute food, drink and decorations, your guest list will let you know how to keep tabs on offerings.  Guests should also be told how many extra people they can bring.

When and where would you hold the party?

Once you figure out how many people will be attending the party and helping out, you can firm up details about where the party will be. If your party theme is based on mermaids and pirates, you might want to look into outdoor or beach venues. You can also research party locations that feature pools such as hotels, neighborhood gyms and certain resort lounges. Take this time during the planning process to also decide on the date and time of the party.  The guest list you devise should give you a clue as to when most people can make the event. Contact everyone on the list after it is firmly made and figure out a time that is workable for everyone.

Keep in mind that whatever location you choose, make sure it is fiscally reasonable for yourself and all invited.  If you create themed parties regularly, consider hosting smaller events in familiar, inexpensive and easily accessible locations.

What types of foods and drinks would be served and do others have to contribute any of the edibles?
As mentioned before, making your guest list will let you know how many people you can rely on if the party requires offerings (whether it is in the form of gifts, food, drink, party supplies and paper ware) from everyone. This is a great way to make a party inexpensive and doable. If everything rests on your shoulders, you might start to feel the idea for a party is overwhelming and unfeasible. It doesn’t have to be. In fact, the best parties usually involve guests bringing stuff in to help set up.

Should people come dressed a certain way according to the party’s theme?

Themed parties don’t always have to involve dress up and costuming although those tend be more entertaining and innovative. For example, if your bash involves marathoning through Twilight Zone films, it would be unrealistic for all of your guests to arrive dressed up as Rod Serling look-alikes. It would be cool if you could actually pull this off, but again this would be impractical in most cases. If you really desire any kind of costuming from your guests, you might require everyone to dress up in 50s and 60s attire since the original Twilight Zone series aired during these time periods.

How much money will you spend for supplies and other resources?

Once you figure out who will donate what, what your guest list looks like and where and when you will hold the event, it is time to create a budget and calculate how much of your own money you will be spending for creating invitations (even if they are homemade), buying some food and drink and getting some of the decorations. If you can afford it, if the party will not be held at your place or someone's house or if others have not been required to chip in, you might also consider expenses for where your party will be. In some cases, you could look into renting a space for the day or for a certain number of hours. If you look around well enough, you can get a great deal that can meet your budget.  If your party will be held at a club, most clubs require early reservation of a room or table which might include the expenses of bartending and kitchen services.

How long will the party last?

How long will your party be? Will it be from 4pm to 8pm, from midnight to early morning on a weekend, for an entire day or will it take place over a full weekend?

Will you take pictures and create a themed party photo album of some kind?

It is best to have a digital camera present at the party. A video camera would be better so that you can record everything taking place at your event. You can later send copies of the videotape or pictures to everyone that attended or you can use an on-line resource for uploading photos and videos. Over the years, the parties can help create a dynamic time capsule for everyone involved.

The point of planning a themed event or party is to create a new and exciting experience, honor friendships and to appreciate life in as many ways as you can. It’s something that I definitely wish to do someday and eventually often and I look forward to sharing these experiences with good friends.

I think if you are unsure about these type of experience, the first place to start is in attending a themed event that someone else has managed. Try it out for yourself and savor what the experience offers.

Let it enthuse.

 What would you do if you came across a bright red beautifully wrapped box along a path not far from your house?

Would you pass it up? Do you dare inspect the package a bit and wonder about its contents and its purpose for being there? Would you eagerly open the box with a sharp jolt of curiosity?

If you were to open the box, what would you find? Take some time to truly imagine and revel in what you conjure up.

I think it's very intriguing to be on the receiving or witnessing end of such a scenario, but I also think it's a brilliant feeling to know that you are the one who creates this mysterious and peculiar would-be experience for others.

I have fancied the idea of creating an elaborate map that illustrates how to discover the whereabouts of a fascinating gift of some kind. This idea was inspired by watching a segment of the animated film, Wubbzy's Big Movie, which is based on the animated children's series on Nick Jr. entitled, Wow! Wow! Wubbzy.

In that segment of the film, Wubbzy notices that a folded piece of paper falls from within the book he is holding in a library. This also catches the attention of his best friends Walden and Widget. Wubbzy then sees that the folded piece of paper is actually a map with a big x on it and claims that it is a pirate's map showing the location of hidden treasure.  Although his friends are skeptical and tell Wubbzy that pirates and hidden treasure no longer exist, Wubbzy tells his friends that they must go on an adventure to locate the treasure of this map. He tells them that they must believe.

They soon set sail on a an old boat that Widget managed to repair with her usual crafty skills and they come across a number of wacky perils that they eventually find creative ways to get themselves out of.  Each time Wubbzy and his friends come across danger, he continues to tell them to believe in the map and treasure.  Just when they are about to give up and Wubbzy begins to feel that his friends might be right about there not being any treasure, on their way back to the ship, they all look up and spot a big house on a mountaintop shaped like an x.  Wubbzy points and exclaims in excitement that this must be the treasure that they've been searching for and that he was right all along about believing.

Soon a pirate, with a love for sweets and missing front teeth, shows up and tells them that they've indeed come across the treasure. He tells them that he left the map, that true reward was in the adventure of following the map and that he'd like to not only offer them each candy, but that he wants them to place the map back where it was so that others can stumble upon it by chance and also experience the same kind of journey.

Although this animated film and its series is intended for children, I find the cartoon very inspiring and entertaining and watching made me think of doing something similar in the near future. I'd love to create a unique handmade gift of some sort or even design something as simple as a beautiful message, place it in a well-hidden, alluring and attention-grabbing box and leave it someplace that can be discovered through the directions of an also discreetly-placed illustrative map that I'd make from scratch.

I guess the question is: How would one ever know that someone else discovered the map and gift?

The answer is you can't really be sure what happens or if someone will ever find it in the way intended to be found, but it still feels great to be able to do something like this and at least create the possibility of someone coming across surprise and being delighted by it. If you come back to check on the map and gift and it’s gone, you can always imagine that someone did indeed fulfill that mission.

If we look back at history's sentimental yarns and epic fantastic tales, we'll remember some stories which tell of someone coming across a message in a bottle on a remote or long-forgotten seashore. The plot might not always involve epic adventure or even candied merriment. Perhaps it involves a story of grief, forlorn hope and unfulfilled longings.

In any event, people are fascinated by the unknown; of being part of a discovery or a mystery. I think in this vessel of fascination, we can actively and creatively find a way to become purveyors of joy-making; to inspire other people to live more adventurously rather than in fear.

I can understand that the world has come to be a more cynical, jaded and suspicious place where we fear for our safety. We look upon strange and unexpected persons, events, objects with apprehension and concern, assuming that the intent is for us to be harmed rather than be enchanted. We assume that our destiny is to be underhandedly destroyed rather than to be truly charmed. That's understandable when we take a cold, desolate and ultra sober look at the dark side of humanity. But perhaps that's the heart of the problem. We forget about the beauty of humanity and what we can do in our daily lives to become examples of that.

The world needs more magic and imagination where society becomes art and art becomes society.  Creating secret maps, concocting surprise messages and scattering sacred awesome gifts is a great way to spread a little of that magic.

Historically the muses are typically regarded as nine young goddesses of inspiration who personify and embody the arts, poetry and sciences. They were entities of song and grace that inspired people to exert their best efforts and live to their fullest potential. Additionally, they engendered harmony, prosperity and friendships.

What would it mean to become a muse in today's time? Do you have a desire to become a muse of any sort? If so, what kind of muse would you be? How do you normally find yourself inspiring others? How do you purposefully like to inspire others? My belief is that both men and women can be muses, muses can be of any age and muses can possess a number of visual impressions. The stereotype is that muses look like flawless beauties. I think instead muses possess a unique beauty of spirit; a brand of individuality that is magnetic. This might make an impression upon his/her looks or it might at first not be so aesthetically obvious but would be something that people FEEL when they come into contact with him/her.

When I mention a modern day muse, I very much mean in a real sense. Not paranormally. I also think there are muse qualities in all of us, but my focus is more in being a muse in awareness...in a way that is organically asserted and confidently activated.

I've thought about this for some time, but I'd like to consider myself a muse of sorts and I'd like to be more confidently and actively. I think in asserting yourself this way, you as the muse realize, that by natural rule, living as a muse incites more passionate living.

Unbridled passionate living.

I also think a modern day muse feeds off of inspiration in many ways too. They don't just inspire others. Inspiration becomes a fuel of sorts, in both directions. So when a muse ceases to find inspiration and to create or embody it in some manner, the muse identity "dies".

I've exercised my muse powers through Meetup.com recently. I started a group for exercise and fitness which targets women who are curvy, plus-sized and/or plump. I speak to an audience of women who are happy about and find beauty in being thicker and rubenesque in stature but would like to tone up and participate in regular exercise activity so that our fitness levels are heightened as curvy women. Our goal is not to be thin but to be healthy. This inspires a great many of women to redefine beauty for themselves and to see their own loveliness through and through.

Mingling with others, sending messages and speaking up is important in cultivating muse power and spirit. Again the aim of a muse is to live passionately, embrace living and embody inspiration.

How do you wish to do this? It can be done in so many ways:

    
• Join or start a new group based on unique interests, desires and goals
• Cultivate your own sense of style or bring it out again in full vigor
• Explore new ideas and thoughts; challenge old ones
• Define why you are beautiful in your own way apart from what society dictates and begin living in this newfound sense of pride
• Champion a new or long-abandoned cause
• Find a way to help someone realize their potential, their dreams or their value
• Do something new and different each day
• Read, listen to and see curious books, music and film respectively
• Try a brand new cuisine
• Research different lifestyles and viewpoints
• Do something you've always done the same in a completely new way
• Strike up a conversation with a random stranger and ask them thoughtful questions
• Find ways you can make society better, more rewarding and interesting
• Invent something or improve upon an old convention

Be more hands on:

We are a society that is very much out of touch with our instincts. We don't have to use and sharpen then. We live in an automated, highly technical and ever-increasing digital world. I don't put down modern and technical conventions as they have their own appealing qualities, I just think we are greatly handicapped by them through our own ignorance and lack of exploration and awareness.

So how can we really be muses of anything?

How can we really appreciate anything?

How can we really understand and FEEL?

I think it's important to keep old traditions alive because make US feel alive. Our senses remain sharp, aware and functioning. Never at a loss. Never dull.

Rather than go out to eat or buy microwave food, cook sometimes from SCRATCH or learn how to for a particular recipe. The meal will be that much more appreciated. I would even say growing one's own vegetables and fruits gives a different sense of appreciation too. I wonder how many people would consume as much meat as they did if they had to hunt and prepare it themselves.

Rather than typing a letter why not write one. A LONG one...and do it often. Why not a short story or *gasp* a novel?

Instead of drawing something on the computer, why not get the paints, charcoals, pastels, markers, pens or conte out to draw? G further and maybe create and stretch your own canvas, make your own brushes, make and mix your own paints just to see what it feels like? Use natural objects as brushes such as twigs, leaves, flower petals, and hands.

Why not learn how to play an instrument or take some voice lessons for fun to get a different appreciation for music and singing? Even just reading about the history of music can change one's perspective.

Rather than renting a movie for a particular title, why not go read the book?
Rather than seeing a movie, why not go see a theatre production with live actors and music?

Rather than reading about a particular culture, country or city, why not plan a trip someday to visit that region to get a real sense of the area? Learn the language?

Why not look up some craft projects and get busy with them and get your hands dirty? Try to make an article of clothing for yourself, a piece of jewelry, your own sculpture or piece of dish ware or a bath and beauty accessory (creams, lotions, soap, shampoo, perfume)? Include stuff like making your own butter, cheese, wine, spread, jam, jelly or oil?

You get the picture. I love stuff like this. It is important to hone desires for these things and to find ways to incorporate these types of activities and a quality of curiosity into your daily living. Make them a part of your life; necessary, natural and therapeutic rituals to fully activate your muse power and spirit.

Upon further thought, embracing yourself as a muse also inspires more love and appreciation for self. You really start to admire your own brand of beauty in and out and acknowledge how valuable it is in its own right...what it can do, what it means and how it can inspire and compel many.

So my recommendation is to begin embracing yourself as a muse, in the ways it best unleashes and suits the true you regardless of age, gender, sexuality, appearance and so on.

No need to wait.

Begin now. See and explore your beauty in all its glory and OWN and USE it.

A few days ago, I spoke with my fiancé about pedophilia and its causes. Pedophilia is understandably a very off-putting and disturbing topic for many. The topic can touch a nerve for those who have been abused, witnessed the behavior, know someone who has been a victim or are just completely sickened by the idea.

It's one of the many topics that I think about once in awhile because it's such an enigma to me. What causes one to have this type of sexuality? Is it nature, nurture or both? If it's nature, how can we explain this psychologically and medically? These are some of the questions I ask myself.  Presently there are only loose theories about the causes and there are no solid proven answers amongst medical professionals and social scientists.

I've always been an extremely curious individual. I am the type of person who is fascinated by things that are abnormal, controversial, rare, strange, wacky, zany and the like. I enjoy learning about various cultures, traditions, sciences, arts, trivial information and much more. I love learning overall and any chance I can get but the farther something is outside the margins of normality, the more it piques my interest. A lot of people just don't want to open themselves up to what exists outside of their comfort zone. They willfully block these things out from their learning agenda and place limits on exploring. They fear that the knowledge and awareness that they may obtain through the process of seeking without boundaries can linger and haunt them forever...or in some cases destroy or tarnish.

I understand this thinking and I've experienced it, but somehow my curiosity continues to get the best of me. I immediately think of the death of author/journalist Iris Chang. No one truly knows why she committed suicide but it has been theorized that although she suffered with chronic depression for a good while, she fell into a very abysmal, paranoid and unrecoverable state of depression that catapulted her to suicide, after researching heavily and relentlessly for her book, The Rape of Nanking. I realize that the research work for her book was not a mere act of curiosity but rather an expression of advocacy and commemoration for the Chinese victims of Japanese war crimes but if the suspicion surrounding her death is true, then it is a good case for how unadulterated awareness in some contexts might lead to or exacerbate mental anguish, disturbance and dissonance.

Is it healthy to open our minds to any and every reality that's out there?  Should we keep some topics unexplored in order to preserve a sense of well-being? I guess it is up to each person to answer this question because the answers will differ from one person to the next.

My fiancé mentioned that subject matter dealing with serial killers, murder, pedophilia, suicide and the like are themes he dislikes exploring...even on a purely intellectual level. He doesn't want to know why or how when it comes to the minds of people who commit acts in the aforementioned categories.

I, on the other hand, am fascinated by human behavior on many levels which includes behavior in those areas. I find that the more extreme human behavior is, the more it makes us question what we define as normal for our kind. I also think it reveals how certain elements that exist in "normality" can create many instances of what we consider abnormal. It's easy for the mainstream of a given society to feel that it is completely separate and uninspiring to behavior and people that we deem as depraved, perverse and immoral.

I personally think that knowledge can be a way to protect ourselves. If we understand, to some degree, the mindset of people who are for whatever reason prone to criminal behavior, then we can make wiser choices about how to shield ourselves and loved ones from harm. We can trust without paranoia and we can clearly recognize the way that we influence others and contribute to society over the course of our lives. It is easy to think that there is more bad than good when we consistently learn of atrocities, tragedies and acts of terror and degradation. This feeling is further enhanced by living in a society where violence is constantly promoted, talked about and shown through many media outlets.

Growing up, I read a lot on forensic pathology, abnormal psychology/mental illness as well as serial killers. I developed a sizable book collection on these topics. This was also during a time when I had aspirations of becoming a psychiatrist or a forensic scientist. As for serial killers, their backgrounds, motives and minds deeply interested me on an intellectual level. I wanted to know how some of these people could commit the bizarre and nightmarish crimes they did. I wanted to know how and why they were so different from what we perceive as the average person. I wanted to understand the mysterious nature and causes behind psychopathy and sociopathy, all the while feeling disgust and disdain. I also wanted to understand myself in relation to such extremes.

As I absorbed more information on these subjects, I will say that a lot of it disturbed and haunted my mind for quite some time. I remember first listening to a song by one of my favorite bands Oneroid Psychosis entitled "Discharge" from their album Dreams with Pollutions When Virile and an extreme state of darkness came upon me. Each time I played the track, my mind obsessively went back to many of the explicit stories and details I read about various serial killers.  The heavy and discordant mood was hard to shake and at the time, the track made me feel like I lived in a world completely taken over by violent perversity and mental depravity. As a synesthete, the song also triggered menacing,  unusual and ghostly blends of colors (glowing oranges, yellow circular highlights and large spaces of blackness), images, and textures.

This effect was of course a compliment to their brilliant ability to create, set and trigger mood. The song is beautiful and it's masterfully produced by talented duo/brothers Leif and Lars Hansen, but the melody created such an intense atmosphere for me. When I listen to the track now, it no longer conjures those feelings although I remember them. I can enjoy it in a different way. I think I allowed those moods to run their course. The purged themselves automatically over time.

However, there are some topics that still rattle and shake me up a bit. I am uncomfortable talking extensively about the possible death of loved ones because this subject rates high on my list of fears. I am uncomfortable talking about incest because it is extremely unnatural and disgusting to me. I am also uncomfortable discussing topics on phobias that I have and sometimes I just don't feel like putting my mind in a sinister or grimy context, so this will influence what I am open to exploring and talking about on a given day.

With this being said, I admit I have a hard time understanding people who choose to be extremely closed to topics and realities outside of their comfort zone. It's one thing to refrain from becoming a specialist on some topics and talking about gritty gratuitous details because they are too upsetting or vile to handle, but another to totally block out all acknowledgment.  I think it's dangerous to side with willful ignorance because it keeps some doors to understanding self and others forever closed.

I think there should be a balance...a healthy one between choosing what to completely expose yourself to and learning a bit more about this world that we live in whether it is good or bad. I think this balance has to be cultivated with respect to how strong we think we are and should be mentally, spiritually and emotionally as individuals. Some of us are more impressionable and/or sensitive than others. Some of us are trying to cleanse ourselves from toxic ideas and thoughts in order to maintain healthiness and others might be trying to run away from deeply hidden desires or drives within themselves. It's a mixed bag.

With me, being excessively curious will always be a given. I have a very active mind that requires lots of stimulation and I enjoy understanding things. This is a strong core trait and inclination. I don't have the option of ridding myself of it and I don't feel that I should if I could . I have learned to recognize when I need to use filters and when it's OK to fully explore and learn. I have also learned to realize when I seek out dark knowledge and subject matter to match and feed a dark mood and when I am showing innate and healthy intellectual curiosity. These sharpened areas of my intuition have, to some degree, have been nurtured by having an open mind. I also admit that I am just intrigued by what's different...outside of intellectual development.

What are some topics that disturb you? Which topics do you completely avoid discussing in depth? Why? Do you feel that our minds should be completely open to all levels of reality or do you feel that we should place limits on our curiosity? Why do you feel the way you do?

This is a question that many men ask: “Why do women continuously bring up old boyfriends into conversations, especially at the beginning of a relationship?”

I guess this is a good question, but first I'd like to say that men talk about their ex-girlfriends too. I've personally experienced this, so the same following advice applies to men who are guilty of this. This is not a slant against women, it's just written in perspective of a woman. It's up for debate on whether or not women do this more often than men in relationships.  

Anyway, there can be various reasons as to why a woman continuously references ex-partners to a current boyfriend:

1. She hasn't gotten over an ex


2. She hasn't moved on from that period of her life with an ex so the experience still affects her


3. She is very close with her -current- boyfriend and feels like she can literally tell him anything at any time


4. She is still friends with an ex and he remains an active part of her life


5. She wants to make her current boyfriend jealous, upset or aware of something he's not doing by comparing him to ex-boyfriends


6. She is insecure, hurt or confused and may expect the current partner to be like the ex-boyfriend(s).

 

She hasn't gotten over an ex-partner

Usually when a woman continues to talk about an ex because she still has feelings for him, it's likely that she didn't give herself time to heal after the breakup before dating again. As a result, the new boyfriend becomes the rebound. Loose ends haven't been tied. In this case, the relationship most likely won’t be a healthy one. The partner on the rebound is trying to fill a void with the new guy so the new guy’s place could be filled by anyone’s shoes.  The emotional attachment that still exists isn’t going to allow the couple to really get to know one another on fair ground.

She hasn't moved on from that period of her life with an ex so the experience still affects her

Sometimes, it's not about having lingering feelings for the actual ex but about the experiences that materialized from being with that person over a certain time frame. A woman could have spent a significant amount of time with an ex, especially in a very transitional period of her life when she was younger. When a breakup happens, a transition must start again and even if the relationship wasn't a healthy one, it still feels like the woman is losing a particular degree of familiarity in her life. The more sentimental and emotionally attached a person is, the harder it is to adjust to change, even if it is necessary and healthier.

The new partner will feel like unappreciated and insignificant when a past relationship is brought up often, but in this case, the actions, on the woman's part, aren't intended to be neglectful and unappreciative. Time and lots of mutual understanding will naturally lead to healing in this scenario.
 
She is very close with her -current- boyfriend and feels like she can literally tell him anything at any time<

This brings up the question: How open should a couple be with one another?

I am a firm believer in establishing mutual openness and intimacy between trusting, emotionally sincere and committed partners. I don't believe in keeping secrets and shutting of communication. I think everyone should have their own head space and independence in a relationship, as it's healthy, but I don't believe in building a relationship on illusions and mysteries, no matter how big or small. This includes matters of sexual history and experience. A lot of people advocate leaving that out of discussion because it ruins a relationship, but I find that if a revelation of a past incident or activity can ruin a relationship, then that connection is not as compatible as one would like to believe. It's important to know this earlier on. However, it’s important to be able to decide if a person is trustworthy and has a high level of integrity.

I think when we are open with others and expect that in return, we can take for granted that our partners might not be able to handle complete honesty and expressiveness. They might claim to and make good on that for the most part, but they can sometimes be surprised with how sensitive they are about certain disclosures. This is validation to why I believe it's important to be OPEN, so these things can be realized in a relationship...not later down the road after more serious commitments have been made. A guy might interpret too much talk about an ex as a form of lingering attachment. This is understandable. I think the proper thing to do in this situation is for the guy to be open about how he feels and not hold in any resentment or disdain. The other person might never know how they are affecting their partner.  Talk!

She is still friends with an ex and is an active part of her life

This is a pretty sensitive situation. This is where trust and openness really needs to take center stage. The new partner needs to be aware that the friendship with the ex is truly platonic and has been romantically absolved. The woman needs to be completely honest with herself and make sure that there are truly no underlying romantic feelings left. Sometime we can con ourselves into believing a connection with a past flame is innocent. We don’t want to believe that we could still have feelings.  An ex might still have feelings although the woman doesn’t. The woman should NOT encourage the ex for ego gratification. She should draw a line and seriously consider cutting off that tie for good. Again both the woman and her new boyfriend need to be open and communicative with one another. I also believe there should be some boundaries placed in the friendship with the ex out of respect and consideration to a new partner regardless.

She wants to make her current boyfriend jealous, upset or aware of something he's not doing by comparing him to ex-boyfriends

If this was persistent behavior on the woman’s part, I’d advise cutting the relationship off completely because it’s toxic and emotionally abusive. If the woman is that insecure, if a woman can’t communicate her needs and desires maturely to her partner and if she expresses anger this way on a regular basis, then she’s not ready for a serious relationship and it will only get worse. The guy still needs to express his disapproval of her behavior to let her know he doesn’t appreciate it. If he doesn’t get any reasonable answers or solutions, then again it’s time to move on.

She is insecure, hurt or confused and may expect the current partner to be like the ex-boyfriend(s)

I’d give the same advice for reason #2. Time, mutual understanding and support and open communication should smooth out any wrinkles in this situation. If the woman is fully ready to move on and acknowledges her emotions, then that’s a very good sign. If a lot of denial and projection continues in the relationship, then the guy will have to decide whether the relationship has too much baggage for him to handle. At some point, he should gain enough trust from her and she should be willing to work with abolishing old conditions rather than encouraging them to prosper.

---

The fact is that there isn't one reason behind why some women continue to talk about ex-boyfriends in new relationships. The reason varies and if there’s going to be a resolution or understanding, then the guy needs to talk to his partner directly rather than sharing his disapproval with others or lamenting quietly to himself.

 

I’ve had a desire to write since I was very young.  I’ve always had a very active, vivid, wild and expressive imagination. When I told a story to someone, they’d always listen and find what I had to say fascinating because I was skilled with taking people on a journey. I always explored the "what if" and the unusual.  So naturally, I had delightful and entertaining stories to tell.

I can remember all of the poems, short stories and random writings I created in the past.  I wrote my first short story at age 9 which turned out to be nearly 40 pages. I'd written stories before but they were random short writings that I played around with. The short story I wrote at this point in time was for a 4th grade class assignment.  Each student was instructed to write a 4-5 page short story. I decided to write a short story on one of my favorite games at the time: Alex Kidd in Miracle World. It was a game for the now defunct but ever-nostalgic Sega Master System console.

Our teacher wanted each of us to present our stories in front of the class by reading it aloud. I was excited about this and wanted to share what I had written with classmates eagerly. Once it was my turn to take center stage in front of the class and deliver my story, I remember seeing the expressions of several classmates as they listened. Many stopped what they were doing, as if they were in mild trances and their eyes became fixated on me. They were captivated by my Alex Kidd fan fiction story and all of its surreal descriptions and scenes. The teacher was very impressed with my tale and immediately praised my writing after I finished presenting. She gave me an A on the assignment and said that I should write more stories because I had natural talent.

I felt great about her support and very proud of my writing. Toward the middle of that year, I began experimenting with funnies, comic strips and various accompanying illustrations. I would show the same instructor my creations and she continued encouraging me and said she found my strips amusing and humorous.  I was certainly inspired to write further. While waiting to be picked up after-school , I began writing poems with illustrations on blank paper that came in a multitude of colors. I’d go around showing these works to various kids on the playground, after-school counselors and other teachers to see their reactions. I had as much fun revealing my writings to others as I did creating them. It was my own quirky way of entertaining myself.

Writing poetry became an intense habit.  Over the next several years, I wrote many poems and my writing became more sophisticated and expressive. I started to write poetry not only as a way to creatively express myself, but as a form of therapy to explore and purge my emotions. As an eccentric and solitary child, my writing and artwork were my best friends.

Once I got into high school, I took an active interest in expanding my writing into very descriptive scenes, longer forms of poetry, lists of bizarre make-believe diseases and ailments, the development of my own secret language and the creation of a self-philosophy and spiritual belief system I called Jeoydo. I had various notebooks and original pamphlets for my creations. I'd sneak time to go into the computer lab during breaks, when it was empty, to type up and print out as much of my writing as I could. I went around promoting some of my personal philosophies and ideas through self-created booklets with detailed descriptions of beliefs, ideals and principles in the guise of a small organization or social club for people to join.

Of course, many students thought I was strange. They assumed I was on the path of becoming a notorious cult leader and they saw these actions as more validation of my oddness. I roused curiosity and intrigue nonetheless. When I wanted to get away and write further, I’d seek solace in quiet, remote and empty spaces behind the fine arts building, where no one could disturb me with loud noises and other annoying distractions.  

I actually began my scene description projects in junior high as I had always done and carried this habit into high school; I’d show random students, fellow band members and some of my English, creative writing and language instructors during class breaks at nutrition and lunch. I continued on with this throughout the remainder of my high school years. Some of my writings were very morbid with elements of dark fantasy and acute black humor that not everyone could stomach or understand but they were still vastly imaginative and distinctive.  

I considered the reactions of others to be a form of conceptual art. My creative process would begin with my ideas. After that, I began writing out my ideas in some form and I'd present them to others, but the reactions of others would finalize the creative endeavor. My desire to show others might have seemed like an act for approval or attention but for the most part,  it was about entertaining myself.  Others were just spectators in the process. Of course, there were a few instructors along the way that offered me much support and encouragement and they will always be remembered for that.

When I went to college, I continued to write in my spare time or whenever I felt the urge and got a chance to jot down my ideas. My mother purchased a Brothers word processor for me before I left for college. It had a monitor, a keyboard and could accept disks for saving work and loading software. I used it all the time and stored many of my older and new writings in it. However, as the priority of college and the dissonance of young adult life took over, I started to lose touch with my writing rituals.
In my late twenties, I felt an inner calling to get back into writing regularly and that’s when I began thinking about my writing in regards to career development. I had taken many paths during college to decide "what I wanted to be when I grew up” and I eventually got my degree in Visual Communication as a graphic designer and illustrator. I don’t regret the academic decision to ultimately pursue a design degree because it has allowed me to gain many skills and to think expansively on ways I can illustrate my writings as an illustrator.

I explored the path of becoming a writer further as I reached my late 20s. Initially I had some technical notions of what it means to become a writer. The list was very concrete. It started off with these objectives:

1. Revisit and read more fiction works. Read regularly.


2. Participate in writers' groups and events. Network.


3. Keep a writing journal and carry it everywhere to record ideas. Record.


4. Write something daily. Develop praxis.

These are still great ideas and I make sure to incorporate each of them into my life on a daily basis. However, I have been inspired to rethink and expand my list of objectives when I think of what it means to become a writer and in striving to be a great one.

I feel it is very important to focus more on developing spirit, heart and intuition as a writer. To explore and experience the world around you. The technical aspect of the craft is important, but as the late Sloan Wilson stated in a reprinted 1962 article, "How to Become a Writer":

The important thing of course is to learn to live fully, to love with kindness as well as passion, to hate the right things and even right people effectively rather than self-destructively, to worship well...

Once a person learns to live well. he or she is provided with many avenues of self-expression, all of them as good as writing, and some better.

In essence, if a writer can cultivate thinking, feeling and exploring, then he/she can learn how to write, because he/she has something to write about. Writing is more about intuition than it is about being grammatically correct and efficient; basically taking the academic approach.

It is crucial to possess and constantly nurture a curious nature. Curiosity leads to more exploration. Barry Levinson, a prolific filmmaker, director, producer and screenwriter with razor-sharp with, stated, "One of the things about being a writer is you have to be inquisitive and open to things that...rattle in your head."

This is where, as a writer, one can turn theory or concept into something very energetically tangible. As a result, the writing flow kicks in once you allow creative improvisation to work its magic. But again, that openness must be there to begin with.

As writers, we accumulate a great deal of junk. But the thing is that it's not merely junk. It has the potential to be transformed into literary gold. - Thomas E. Kennedy

Aspiring writers need to respect and preserve fragmented legacies of their creative thinking. This means that the foundation to developing amazing writing ideas can be found in random scraps, abandoned terms, phrases and short stories written down in folders and old journals, souvenir collections, photographs and scattered notebooks. These are all items and resources that should never be thrown away. There are many writers, such as Thomas E. Kennedy, who've gone on to create profound and award-winning literary works based on brief notes and writings that they found on scraps of paper in an old chest or drawer from long ago.

This leads me to my next point. I believe it is important to seek inspiration in everyday events and in the most unlikely and unorthodox ways. I am inspired by conversations, music, film, window shopping, purchases, color, texture, tastes, sights, sounds, emotions, trips, emotion, dreams, theoretical thought, gestures, symbols, icons, concepts, other people and much more. I find and see inspiration everywhere. It's necessary to live in and with passion. Passion awakens the senses and our sensitivity to everyday events and we begin to experience the world in ways we were formerly turned off to.

Writing is largely about self-revelation and the best and most established writers understand this and incorporate authenticity and sincerity in their writing. Being authentic comes with courage, a deep understanding about oneself and a strong desire to discover more within the inner folds. Everything we write reveals some element of truth about ourselves not only as writers but as individuals. To write freely is to abandon fear and doubt.

Last but not least, writing should involve great experimentation and adventure. Try many different forms and styles of writing without focusing too much on the mechanics of writing. Remember to have fun and to play. Writing should be your playground.

Living day to day with the responsibilities and obligations of finances, family, career and self can be very overwhelming and anxiety-inducing. All of these life facets can bring us great joy if there’s mutual respect, harmony and progress present, but as adults who are obliged to manage our lives in such complexity of interpersonal relations, we can often lose sight of and the ability to develop ourselves or to find meaning and direction in our lives. Instilling the practice of mediation into our daily living can do wonders and there are many personalized and creative ways an individual can meditate in order to restore inner peace, solve problems and gain balance and self-assurance.

Innovation is what one must use when coming up with beneficial ways to bring mediation into frequent practice. This innovation will require a person to look at themselves honestly and to think openly. It’s rather easy to walk into a bookstore to select a book or type in a url online to follow a generic one-way-suits-all manner of meditating but each person much meditate with purpose and in a way they can relate to which will be dependent on the type of clarity and release one specifically needs. This further requires one to look at the basic set of emotions that are plaguing them. These might be questions you ask yourself before you begin choosing a meditation method:

1. Do I feel anger?


2. Am I experiencing sadness?


3. Am I overwhelmed with frustration?


4. Am I blocked by Indecisiveness?


5. Am I burdened with fear?


6. Is there something I need to tell someone but don’t know how?


7. Do I just need time to myself away from distractions?


8. Am I unsure about what I am feeling and need some clarity?


9. Do I need to become more comfortable with myself in isolation?

All of these and more are great starter questions to ask yourself. You will find that you will not use one form of meditation all of the time since each kind of meditation works best for certain emotional needs. I will introduce some forms of meditation that I use and that I’ve have creatively developed over the years.

If you are a rather kinesthetic person, you will find that using meditation that involves movement is best. Some types of meditation might be choosing to safely go for long and vigorous walks in a peaceful, scenic neighborhood setting, a local park or a hiking trail or walking path along a beach or mountain road with or without a music player. Other types of meditations might include hypnotic dance, punching bag boxing and Tai Chi.

Walking for me has always been a very therapeutic process and it’s one of my favorite meditative activities to indulge in. The activity makes me feel restored and centered and most of the time I prefer taking my iPod with me. I can listen to audio books, my favorite bands and artists or even downloaded podcasts shows. If I am just walking around the neighborhood or in a setting that allows dogs, I will take my dog with me because she makes a great walking companion and it’s the perfect way for her to get exercise.

On form of meditation that I do from time to time is something I call hypnotic dance. It is a form of meditation that involves dancing to very energetic and invigorating music non-stop for at least 30 minutes to an hour. In this activity, the objective must be to connect solely with the music and how your body moves thus paying no attention to being proper in form, technique or style but to dance excessively until you reach a state of acute euphoria. After the dance is over, you will most likely feel refreshed, purged and rejuvenated and will crave this form of release the more you do it. There is an intrinsic state of freedom that comes with this meditation and you’ll get to appreciate and know yourself more kinesthetically. There’s no need to worry about being a great dancer or anything of the sort. Again the goal is to use constant and natural body movement and rhythm to reach a state of exhilaration.

Practicing boxing on a punching bag works much the same way. You’ll need to have access to a punching bag and related equipment either at home or at a gym where there are no classes in session at the time. This type of meditation is best for working out aggressive feelings or frustration. The body will be worked into a combative frenzy on an inanimate object and all of the stifled and blocked emotions will have a place and channel to be fully released and exorcised. Boxing as a meditation can help to facilitate better communication afterwards so that the system is less tense and charged. Most people lose the ability to communicate and direct their thoughts outwardly in a clear and concise manner when their systems are under stress from anger, frustration or irritation.

If you are a person who wants to excite the imagination, clear the mind or control certain emotions or states in a very artful way, then you will find the techniques of audio and image-guided visualization, developing, what I call, an imaginary sponsor and working on zoned creative projects very conducive. Some of these techniques will seem very esoteric and unusual but that’s the nature of being innovative in order to get the fulfillment you need out of meditation.

Audio and image- guided visualization is a very helpful process and it’s really nothing new but there are many distinctive ways that you can develop a specific technique in this brand of meditation. As a person with synesthesia, I enjoy the using music to trigger imagery. Music has the ability to excite the imagination and redirect our focus away from the outside world. It’s very similar to the process of lucid dreaming, where you consciously control what happens in your dream and gain some leverage of the events that will take place to further seek meaning.

You can start by choosing a selection of music that is very rhythmic, detailed, instrumental, inspiring or cinematic; music that, for you, engenders ideas and visions. You must choose a place where you can comfortably play the music loud enough to become fully immersed in it. If not, then headphones will suffice if the sound quality is good, where all of the instrumentation can be crisply experienced. In this place of meditation, you must make sure that you are not going to be disturbed and that you have at least 30 minutes to an hour to spare. If you can lock your door and be away from phones, this is even better. If you live with others, make sure that beforehand, they know of and can respect your time for this meditation session by leaving you alone.

Once you have gotten yourself situated in a reliable and relaxed context, turn on the music and recline on a chair, couch or floor, take a few deep breaths, close your eyes and begin truly listening to the music. Allow your mind to visualize a place, world, setting, theme of patterns or shapes, event or person based on the sound of the music. Give these visions a story, a purpose or a premise if necessary. For example, you can associate certain images with bacteria, cells or viruses if you are ill. You can associate some visions with desires if you wish to accomplish a goal or make certain events in your life happen. Most likely, the first response to this method of meditation will be difficult if you’ve never done it before. You will find yourself trying to keep concentration, take it seriously and to stay focused internally, but continue to reconnect and flow with whatever visions materialize and throw yourself completely into your images and/or associations. At some point, you won’t realize how much time has gone by and your body’s systems will slow down. As you practice this brand of meditation more often, you’ll feel a greater degree of control, motivation and confidence in some areas of your life that you’ve chosen to focus on. You’ll also find that your ability to turn inward is much stronger and reactive. You can time your meditation sessions by how long your music selections last as a whole, or you can set an alarm.

Several years ago, I came up with the term imaginary sponsor and decided that this concept would be great in developing a new form of meditation and self-therapy. There’s a long story behind the motivation of the invention and I’ll eventually talk about this in another article. Imaginary sponsors are very much like imaginary friends; however they are imaginary people who take the place of real people in your life. They are intangible but animate representations of unsent letters who help you to cope or to express. If you are dealing with troubling or conflicting emotions that relate to someone in your life but you are having a hard time confronting this person for whatever reason, you can create an imaginary sponsor.

This sponsor will become the target of your confessions and feelings. This is a rather personal and sensitive form of meditation because it requires a spot of isolation and secrecy where you can act in freedom, confidentiality and comfort. If you can find a place like this, begin by pretending that your imaginary sponsor is in the room with you. Imagine what they are doing and what they look like. They can look like the person in your life or they can look totally different. Are they sitting down next to you facing you? Are they standing across the room waiting for you to say something to them? Whatever you imagine them doing, make sure you can see them in your mind’s eye in a projected manner. Once this is done, begin talking to this sponsor, openly and out loud, as if they were a real person. Eradicate all feelings of shyness and silliness and seriously interact with your sponsor. You might find it better to even imagine what the sponsor is saying to you so that you can respond back. You’ll begin to see this meditation as not only a form of writing an unsent letter but also as a style of acting. This type of meditation will allow you to learn how to express yourself better, work out your emotions that involve feelings about or for other people and to even confront them at some point in confidence and preparedness. You can always include more than one imaginary sponsor in your sessions, thereby creating a group to interact with.

Engaging in creative projects is a great and productive way to channel your mind and energy. Many people might not consider this as a form of meditation but I do place it in this category because it is a self-therapy method which can easily be used as a way to balance energy. Obviously the project that you engage in will involve something that you enjoy doing. It can be an hour of drawing, free-form writing, working on pottery, sculpting, coloring or cooking a recipe out of a cookbook. The way in which you interact with these activities must not be intermittent which is typical of the workflow in casual creative projects. You must completely center yourself in the activity and focus thoroughly on it and let the creative process of the activity soothe you. This is what distinguishes this process as a form of meditation because it clears the mind and takes you away from stress-related concerns. You learn how to compartmentalize and pour the emotions into something progressive rather than destructive. Essentially your coping mechanisms turn into healthy outlets.

A lot of people really struggle with toxic thoughts and fail to find ways to release their mind from negative energy. Toxic thoughts can literally become an obsession if we train our minds to stay tuned into them through long-term habituation. This requires a cleansing and purging process so the choice of meditation must be something that helps to facilitate these actions. There are a number of ways to cleanse and refresh the mind symbolically. You can choose a form of cleansing meditation that is relaxing or intellectual. Some relaxing forms of purging meditation that I use are taking baths to candlelight and incense, going for a swim, focusing on koans and riddles, cleaning the house or the environment, creating and using circle labyrinths and doing activities that are very repetitive in motion but stimulating. In each of these activities, the goal is to empty out the mind either through mindlessness (in a benign sense) or thinking (intellectualizing). For those who are interested in Buddhism, you’ll find some of these activities to be similar to Zen meditation practices, particularly when utilizing koans.

A koan is a story or riddle that one focuses on to seek an intuitive rather than rational answer. An excerpt from the book, Translating the Zen Phrase Book, describes the process succinctly by referring to a very popular koan:
Two hands clap and there is a sound. What is the sound of one hand?
— Hakuin Ekaku

"...in the beginning a monk first thinks a kōan is an inert object upon which to focus attention; after a long period of consecutive repetition, one realizes that the kōan is also a dynamic activity, the very activity of seeking an answer to the kōan. The kōan is both the object being sought and the relentless seeking itself. In a kōan, the self sees the self not directly but under the guise of the kōan...When one realizes ("makes real") this identity, then two hands have become one. The practitioner becomes the kōan that he or she is trying to understand. That is the sound of one hand." - G. Victor Sogen Hori, Translating the Zen Phrase Book

You can purchase a book of koans from any bookstore to help you get started. Gateless Gate: The Classic Book of Zen Koans by Koun Yamada is a good selection. Focusing on koans works best in a meditation session that involves sitting down in a quiet area and concentrating. You might also want to look into Zen Buddhism and start exploring some of the meditative methods. Two books that I recommend are The Path to Zen: A Path to Inner Peace by Eric Chaline and An Introduction to Zen Buddhism by D.T. Suzuki.

I love to take baths and take these more often over showers because in a bath I get to truly relax and sit with myself in thought. Water is very symbolic for me as well as the act of washing. I imagine the water being a symbol of fluidity and purification of mind and body. The act of washing further enhances the purifying association and I prefer taking a bath in dim relaxing natural light rather than to artificial light so I use high-quality, long-burning, scented candles and I sometimes additionally use short sticks of high-quality incense to burn. This sets the environment for me. During a meditative bath, I think about any thoughts that have been troubling me or that I feel conflicted about and I seek to answer and think about them deeply. I end the bath by washing up, extinguishing the candles and incense and then drying off. For the duration of the bath, I don’t concern myself with washing off with soap right away because I want to be comfortable sitting for awhile, feeling the water against my skin and immersing fully into its warmth. After that I apply some natural oils, creams or lotions to my skin all over my body to further pamper and nurture myself. You can get more creative with your choice of colors and scents of candles, incense and even soaps. I prefer natural handmade soaps and these can be purchased from various beauty shops or health food stores. The bars are usually thicker and large in size, richer for the skin due to the natural ingredients and come in all sorts of alluring scents, colors and textures. Certain hues and fragrances of candles might stimulate you in specific ways sensorially.

If you do not have a bathtub or would like another way to use water as a form of meditation, then you can try swimming. If you use a public swimming pool, you might now have as much privacy as you desire but in most cases, public swimming pools aren’t usually too highly populated depending on the time of day you use them.

Cleaning your immediate environment which might be your bedroom or the entire house is a great way to clear your mind. A clean and orderly environment can definitely facilitate clear thinking and refreshed emotions. It’s as symbolic as water is when taking meditative baths or swims. The state that our environment often reflects the state of our minds so if you have a very junky and disordered looking room, then you can be that your mind might share that same context. Cleaning up is also a repetitive and physical activity. You allow the mind to clean out its thoughts through constant movement and arrangement. The act itself can almost be seen as a type of magical ritual that involves visual and physical guidance that revamps your mind.

Circle labyrinths or walk circles are rather obscure to the knowledge of most people. The history of labyrinths can be traced back to ancient times in various European, Asian and Native American, and Northern African cultures. Labyrinths were used as maps for city-state structures as well as the construction of certain religious and governmental buildings.

Circle labyrinths can be symbols of art and were/are often used as creative motifs for ceramic work but labyrinths today are referenced more as physical structures created on ground for personal meditation and group rituals and ceremonies. A map of a labyrinth is drawn and carefully constructed on ground. The labyrinth can be painted, drawn in chalk, carved as pathways or segments onto grass or illustrated on sand at a beach. The most accessible way to draw a labyrinth for most people is at a local beach. You can use nearby stones to further enhance the pattern and use a long stick or stick-like figure as your drawing tool. There are many illustration references for circle labyrinths online and in books.

Labyrinths are said to enhance right brain activity when they are walked. In a circle labyrinth the goal is to enter the labyrinth through the mouth, which is both the starting and end point, and walk the path within the walls until you reach the center. Once you’ve reached the center of the labyrinth, you must complete the walk by walking back out and exiting through the mouth. Focusing on the path throughout the walk is said to help the mind clear and restructure itself. For others the ritualistic and meditative walk can help to stimulate thoughts. Two great online resource websites containing a wealth of information and patterns for labyrinths are The Labyrinth Society and Awakenings: Tools for Psychological and Spiritual Growth. The first link is extremely informative and intriguing. The second link contains a large section on Labyrinths. Click on that area and explore the information that this site offers to gain more knowledge.

The most direct way to meditate is to just sit with the pain. This is very difficult to do because the body and mind immediately goes into self-protective mode. Self-protective mode is a self-preservation mode which gives way to our established patterns of coping mechanisms. The less aware we are of what our naturally inclined self-preservation reactions are, the more likely they are to be destructive. The mind has no value when it comes to choosing a way to help us deal with and function the world. As long as something makes us feel good or turns us off from any discomfort, then it becomes a way for the mind to establish a coping mechanism. If you can become aware of how you respond to situations, then you can control the ways in which you develop coping mechanisms so that they can be healthy and progressive. Sometimes, well need to train ourselves to just sit and feel discomfort rather trying to finds ways to numb it. By sitting with pain or discomfort, we can better understand the intricacies of our emotions and hear what’s going on inside. We also, more importantly, learn to develop higher tolerance levels to emotional discomfort so that the sensations don’t become so easily distracting to us and we can think more rationally while we are in discomfort. Sitting-with-pain meditation requires stillness and lack of movement. Find a place to sit or recline quietly and focus on what you feel. Let it runs its course. Let yourself bleed and let your instincts become more sensitive to the sensations of emotional pain and discomfort. Also pay attention to any sudden desires that you feel. Recognizing these desires will help you to identify what your natural coping mechanisms are and once you are aware of them, you can analyze whether or not they are healthy.

Overall, there are many creative and original ways in which you can meditate. It’s all up to you and there’s a world of ideas out just in your mind waiting to be explored. You can also seek inspiration for ideas through online resources, books and other people you know that might practice meditation. Meditation should not be seen as a daunting, intimidating, exclusive or mysterious practice. It’s multi-faceted and very easy to implement into your life. Be creative, open and innovative and you’ll start to see the benefits of meditation in no time.