Dance with the Mystery
Coincidence. Serendipity. Chance. Happy accidents. Miracles. Synchronicity.
These are some of the ways we characterize the mysterious and magical events that happen in our lives that we can’t explain.
Watching Shakespeare In Love again recently, I was reminded of the key role this invisible force plays in the creative process. On many levels the film brilliantly captures the essence of creativity.
This time viewing, I was particularly struck by the character Philip Henslowe, played by Geoffrey Rush. As producer of the Rose Theater he suffered many of the obstacles we all share in life and business. He was dangerously in debt, dealing with a playwright suffering from writers block (Shakespeare of all people), competition, lack of resources, the tastes of his audience (comedies with dogs in the cast), and governmental constraints (it was against the law for women to act on stage).
In multiple scenes his production and his very life were in danger. His answer to how he was going to resolve the current impending catastrophe? “It’s a mystery.”
Through it all, he maintains a resolute faith in the creative process.
It really is a mystery. The Mystery is the domain of the unseen, unknown, unimaginable, that primal creative force that will not be stifled. In fact, the more we attempt to control a situation, the more the Mystery will play with and test by creating merry havoc for us to contend with.
A timely lesson to remember. It is simply not possible to plan for every eventuality. And it’s a waste of your creative energy to do so.
Prepare, prepare, prepare, then let go. – Angeles Arrien
The acclaimed director, Robert Altman, had this to say:
What I’m always interested in in a film are the errors, the mistakes. If you go to every film I’ve made and you say there are six really great things in it. None of those had been planned. Every one of those things that you would take out as the high point of any film of mine came as something that was not scripted, not planned, and certainly not directed by me.
My mantra whenever I teach or facilitate is: be prepared to be surprised.
Every glitch, mistake, or breakdown is an opportunity for creative problem solving — an invitation to dance with the Mystery. Technology goes haywire? Turn it off and have a real conversation. Don’t have the supplies you think you need? Improvise and use whatever you can find in your immediate vicinity. The more complicated we make things, the higher the likelihood of breakdown.
When we let go and trust the Mystery, the results go far beyond what we can imagine. Do your work and be prepared to be surprised. The Mystery doesn’t do our work for us nor should it. It will respond however, whenever asked for assistance.
Where have you danced with the Mystery and been surprised?
Elizabeth Gilbert captures this beautifully in her TedTalk — Nurturing Creativity.
2 Responses to “Dance with the Mystery”
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I am a speaker, teacher, writer, and artist working at the convergence of self-care, spirituality, and self-expression.
A Creative Conspirator - an inciter of whatever makes you come alive, an excavator of buried gifts and talents, a fresh breeze that fans the smoldering embers of abandoned creativity. Read More>
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What a great article!!! I am at the “point of frustration” in a book I am writing and this was right on with the thoughts I was having that it’ll eventually come in and it’ll be better than I ever imagined! I also LOVE the “be prepared to be surprised” idea!!! So awesome! I am teaching my first round of students in the CIJ — tonight is week 4 — and I will put this into play today! Thank you!!!