Welcome to Tuesdays with Chel.
Art is an act of faith, and we practice practicing it. Sometimes we are called on pilgrimages on its behalf and, like many pilgrims, we doubt the call even as we answer it. But answer we do.
– Julia Cameron
Welcome to the Bliss Habits Book Club! For the next several weeks, we’ll be discussing and working our way through The Artist’s Way, by Julia Cameron. If you haven’t gotten the book yet- no worries. We haven’t formally started reading- this is just the point when we are all “gathering” to form our virtual circle and get comfortable.
But, first things first- I really want this whole “Bliss Habits Book Club” to be a CONVERSATION, not a lecture. I see my role here as book club organizer, secretary- the person who notes the details and makes the nuts-and-bolts decisions, who provides the basic information (such as what page to read up to). And I’m only doing that because we can’t sit in a physical circle and have an instant discussion on how far to read. If you have any input, don’t hesitate to share it.
That being said, I propose that we read the following for the coming week’s discussion (meaning, read these before October 8th): “The Introduction” and “Spiritual Electricity: Basic Principles”. I have both a physical, bound copy of “The Artist’s Way” and I also purchased it for my e-reader. In my book, the “Intro” is pages xii – xvi and “Spiritual Electricity” is pages 1-7. Even though the book doesn’t *formally* start until Chapter/Week 1, Cameron presents a lot of “stuff” in the pages before that first chapter, so I wanted to include that in our discussion.
I debated starting discussion on those parts right now or wait until next week, and I’ve decided that we should wait until everyone has had a chance to read so we can really get into a great discussion. After that, I propose we read the section called “The Basic Tools” for October 16th, and then launch into “Week One” for October 23rd.
I know this is a prolonged start, but I am doing this for a reason- I’ve had many people email or tell me that they struggle a bit with Cameron’s voice. Now this is not everyone- clearly, many many people have benefitted from this book. However, there are quite a few people who find themselves bristling a bit from content on the very first page of the introduction because of various reasons- Cameron’s writing style, her discussion of spiritual aspects (I mean, it does say on the cover “A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity” – my husband read that and backed away a bit, so I get the whole “uh…. Maybe this isn’t for me” reaction that some people have), her constant reminders of her own creative success.
Again, I do not ask you to believe this. In order for this creative emergence to happen… I simply ask you to observe and note this process as it unfolds. In effect, you will be midwiving and witnessing your own creative progression.
No matter what it is, if it is something, just remember that you’re reading this book for *you*, for your benefit. I will admit (in book club confessional fashion) that I rolled my eyes more than once while reading the introduction, especially when Cameron began listing off all her creative accomplishments and talking about her fancy desk and view. I found myself thinking “maybe this REALLY isn’t for me- I’m not interested in making a huge creative splash in Hollywood or the NY art scene or anything- this feels very fussy and dramatic and self-absorbed to me…”
But then I reminded myself that even though Cameron’s writing style didn’t exactly give me warm fuzzies, the bottom line is that there’s some great information in these pages. And in order to receive that information, and enable myself to USE that information so that it benefits me, I’m going to just have to approach this whole thing with a sort of “what can I take from this and how can it realistically work in my life?” attitude.
So if you start reading and get a little uncomfortable with anything you find, take note of it, and read on. Let’s talk about it as we read this week, whether it be here in the comments or over on the Facebook page. Feel free to jump in as you read.
Frustrations and rewards exist at all levels on the path. Our aim here is to find the trail, establish our footing, and begin the climb.
Just remember, this is for *you*. If you’re anything like me, you’re not reading this for a badge of honor or to say you’ve “done Artist’s Way”, you’re reading this and taking this on as a way to improve your life and increase your creativity. So let’s dig in and discuss the heck outta this book, shall we?
So here’s my question as we start reading: what DO you think of Julia Cameron, her writing style, her approach? And how do you feel about the connections she makes between creativity and spirituality?
I’ve started the discussion here on Facebook, as well. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Welcome to Book Club- I’m *so* glad you are here!
No matter what your age or your life path, whether making art is your career or your hobby or your dream, it is not too late or too egotistical or too selfish or too silly to work on your creativity.
– Julia Cameron
Chel Micheline is a mixed-media artist, curator, writer, and avid gardener/reader/swimmer who lives in Southwest Florida with her husband and daughter. When Chel’s not making art or pondering the Bliss Habits, she’s blogging at gingerblue.com (come say hi!) or posting new things in the gingerblue etsy shop.
Great beginning, Chel! I need to get reading… Though I did do morning pages yesterday and today! ;o) This will be a third re-read for me. I find myself picking parts of the Artist’s Way. And I’ve become OK with that. I think that whatever works, whatever bits & pieces bring us closer to where we want to be… that’s OK! :o) I hope others will join in on the conversation.