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 ExistencePenguin, 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. |
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 | |
Common terms and phrases
adult affirmations Aha-phrodite Albert Einstein Anne Lamott Arnold artist child Audacity authentic awareness Bea Silly begin better Bodyguard brain Brainstorm break breath bring candles childlike courage crea create creative dream creative expression creative passion creative process dance dark side discovery draw e. e. cummings emotion energy Erin Brockovich exercise experience fear feel fifteen minutes garden give goal gratitude heart ideas imagination inner critic inside inspiration intuition journal journey Julia Cameron keep let go living look Lull magic Marge mind Modern Day Muses mortals movie Muse Song Nine Modern Day nurturing ourselves paint patience paying attention play poet possible practice Quick List release Robert Genn Sarah Ban Breathnach sense Shadow Muse share someone Spills the Imp started stay stop Summon talent things thought tion tive trying visual voice walk wonder write