The Nine Modern Day Muses (and a Bodyguard): 10 Guides to Creative Inspiration for Artists, Writers, Lovers, and Other Mortals Wanting to Live a Dazzling Existence

Front Cover
Penguin, 2003 - 272 pages
Artist's Way-inspired teacher and acclaimed workshop leader Jill Badonsky shows how to unblock creativity and awaken the muses of imagination and inspiration in this unique guide to self-expression.

Meet Spills, Bea Silly, Albert, and Marge. No, they aren't TV's latest cartoon characters. They're just a few of the new and improved Muses.

Combining the whimsical and spiritual appeal of Sark with the concrete step-by-step approach of The Artist's Way, The Nine Modern Day Muses (and a Bodyguard)presents a fresh approach toward accessing your creativity, and is designed specifically for our frazzled and time-sensitive era. Creativity coach Jill Badonsky takes the nine classical Greek Muses and updates them for our time. Along with a little help from their no-nonsense bodyguard, Arnold, they personify ten principles designed to overcome creative blocks and embrace the wonders of self-expression.

Meet Aha-Phrodite, the inspired Muse of paying attention to possibility and new ideas. And Audacity, the uninhibited Muse of the courage to take risks. Lull gives you permission to let go of the process and take a break; Marge brings common sense and a call to action; while nurturing Muse Song sings your praises. Arnold acts as protection against such intruders as discouragement, creativity blocks, and mindless TV. With these and other encouraging, supportive, and practical Muses as your guides, you'll discover how to view your talents and creative potential in a positive light, with passion and self assurance. Each Muse will take you on a journey and share with you:

o Empowering exercises to awaken creativity
o Brainstorming
o Muse rituals to inspire faith and confidence
o Muse walks
o Spiritual affirmations
o Quotes from mortals who've been inspired by the Muses
o Journaling

and much more.

This entertaining, inspirational, and practical book is an indispensable handbook for the twenty-first-century seeker.
 

Selected pages

Contents

The Emergence of the Modern Day Muses
3
Welcome to the Mystery
4
The Mystery of Creativity
4
Entering the Garden of the Illustrious Muses
4
Pretrip Preparations to Make the Journey a Little Richer
13
Muse Map
18
How to Propel Forward by Using the Truth of Your Dream
19
Equipment Assembly for the Journey
23
Muse of Play Laughter and Dance
97
Muse of Nurturing Encouragement and Good Company
122
Muse of Practice Process and Imperfection
144
Muse of Courage and Uninhibited Uniqueness
162
Muse of Pause Diversion and Gratitude
180
Muse of the Dark Side
200
Muse of OkayNowLetsGetStarted
218
What Muse Are You?
239

A Muse Primer
28
The Illustrious Garden of the Amazing Muses and the Bodyguard
37
The Bodyguard
41
Muse of Paying Attention Passion and Possibilities
55
Muse of Imagination and Innovation
70
Stuff in the Back
243
Bibliography and Recommendations
245
Additional Resources
Copyright

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About the author (2003)

Jill Badonsky, M.Ed., is a creativity coach, workshop leader, artist, and marketing consultant who is the founder and director of The Muse Is In, an organization devoted to coaching, teaching, facilitating, and marketing workshops and retreats for awakening creativity. She wrote and starred in a one-woman show, I Can't Handle Reality, But It's the Only Place to Get a Good Cup of Coffee, and writes a monthly column on creativity for Blessings, a San Diego newspaper.

Bibliographic information