Ripple Meditation: One simple practice to keep creativity flowing
By: Shannon Borg, Art and Business Coach
As an artist and creativity coach, I think a lot about the creative process.
(Like, a LOT)
What is it, really?
How does it work?
How come it is so elusive?
Part of the problem is that every person has a different process. It can work SO many different ways. But there are ways to tap into your own process – to help understand it better and develop it more fully.
I’ve developed a simple “creative meditation” method that has really changed everything for me in regards to:
- how I come up with new ideas
- how I paint
- how I create trainings for my artist clients,
- and how I run my business.
I believe it can help you, too.
This process is for:
- Artists
- Writers
- Makers
- Thinkers
- Entrepreneurs
- Coaches
- Healers
- Creative Humans
- Humans that want to be more creative
I’m sharing this process with you in a video (below) because I think it is so helpful to see the whole process unfold.
But before we dive into the Ripple Meditation technique, let’s break down the creative process a bit.
What is the Creative Process?
The Creative Process is defined in many ways, but I’ve found that this definition makes the most sense to me:
Solving problems through innovation.
It can look like the traditional 5-step process that designer Graham Wallas came up with waaay back in 1926 (of course, the so-called “creative process” has worked nonstop since the beginning of time. Even BEFORE time existed.)
Graham Wallas’ “Creative Process:
But sometimes, the creative process seems more like this:
Or this:
Just know that every human has their own way of allowing and cultivating creativity in their lives.
Everyone has their own path.
As I was starting to paint and create a business, I REALLY needed a little calm and focus in my life to help me manage:
- Negative self-talk
- Idea overwhelm
- Impostor Syndrome
There is no magic pill for this – but I have done a lot of work around these ideas to help my clients – and myself.
This is how it worked for me.
Step One:
First, I started meditating – just to calm the fuck down.
I would just sit quietly for 10 minutes and breathe. Try to calm my mind.
Step Two:
Then, those meditation moments started revealing new ideas – at first I called it “Creative Meditation.” I would write ideas that came to me down in my journal as I sat and breathed, just trying to let my mind rest so new ideas could be heard.
Then, I found my mind was working on a creative solution.
I thought the ‘creative process’ just happened in the studio – but of course not! (duh.)
It is happening all the time, in our brains.
The Result
Next, this “creative meditation” practice morphed into a more intentional practice I call Ripple Meditation.
After my coach, Brooke Castillo, talked about the concept of the “Idea Baby,” I saw how my creative meditation practice was similar – and so instead of ONE idea, I started using TWO “thought pebbles.”
Here are a few examples of the results from a few of my Ripple Meditations (Thought Pebble #1 + Thought Pebble #2 = Creative “Idea Baby” that I then developed into a painting, teaching or process):
Light + Color = my Lunaria paintings
The 4 Seasons + Business = The 4 Hats of Artists in Business training
Artist’s Struggle + The Model = The Struggle Button training
Here are the basics:
Ripple Meditation:
- Sit quietly for 10 – 20 minutes
- Use soft music without words if that helps set the mood
- Choose one idea, thought, or concept. Drop that “thought pebble” into the pond of your mind. Watch your mind work with that thought – let it “ripple out” where it will.
- Jot ideas/thoughts down in your journal
- Now, drop ANOTHER “thought pebble” into your mind’s pond – and watch to see where the ripples overlap and create “Interference.” The “interference” is where the new “idea baby” is born!
- Take notes, draw, look things up, go down rabbit holes, or free write as you go. ALL that is allowed!
- With your new insights and ideas, go create something new!
I hope this process was productive for you. If you’d like to watch the whole Ripple Meditation Training, you can find it here:
Where do you get your ideas?: One simple process to keep creativity flowing)
Or, here’s the link: https://www.shannonborg.com/get-ripple-meditation
If you are curious about how creativity coaching can help you and your business, sign up for a free consultation, and we can chat about your creative process, your business, and how you can create the results you want.
Thank you!
Shannon Borg
Art & Business Coach
Follow me on Instagram: @shannonborg
