Since intuition and creativity are natural phenomena and the by-product of a balanced and whole individual, my approach to developing them is the same – assist individuals through the identification and reclaiming of their authentic nature. Once your “self” has been reestablished, you are free to proceed through life in an unencumbered manner. Until wholeness is present, your perceptions can be clouded and controlled by other people’s beliefs, opinions, and attitudes.
The first step to regain your authentic nature is learning to still and clear your mind of all unnecessary chatter. Historically this has been done through meditation, though many children and adults aren’t interested in learning to mediate. That is okay because the same components-relaxing the body, clearing the mind, and stabilizing the focus-that are used in meditation to heighten conscious awareness can be taught and practiced with non-competitive or non-goal oriented drawing.
Using art to reclaim the “true self” can take place quite effortlessly by pointing the individual in the direction of their senses and introducing the Socratic method of teaching via questions. “How does it feel when you move your hand in that direction instead of the previous direction?” “Is there any identifiable sensation or feeling on your skin or in your gut, or do you experience it in one of your other senses?” By directing the individual to focus on their feelings and the body sensations that arise when they are creating you offer them an opportunity to explore the inner terrain of their own mind.
What we are duplicating is the natural exploration very young children do before they are inhibited by emotional restriction. Returning to this natural exploration of life with our five senses helps strengthen our sense of self and is a great way to step out of the “right” and “wrong” approach to life. Drawing in this manner can also drop you into a hypnotic-like state. Why is that important?
Between 1988 and 1992, while Dr. Bruce Lipton (author of The Biology of Belief: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter and Miracles) was a fellow in pathology at Stanford Medical School, his studies proved that our beliefs and perceptions control our cellular biology, and that when we change our beliefs we can change our whole life. Dr. Lipton also found that hypnotic-like practices were the most effective way to change old beliefs that are stored in our subconscious. He felt that drawing, when approached in a noncompetitive manner, was an excellent method for transforming old beliefs, because it takes the brain into that relaxed and receptive state, which allows for the easy reconfiguration of thought patterns and beliefs, and it is also self-initiated.
So if you want to strengthen your intuition, expand your creativity or transform stifling subconscious beliefs you might want to explore the delights of playing with crayons again. You can begin with scribbling, drawing simple circles and lines or doodling – it doesn’t really matter. You don’t have to create something realistic, you only have to pay attention to how your body responds to drawing different shape lines, color, and texture and possibly have some fun.