The Journey
The Journey

Day 66:

Creativity From The Creator

هُوَ اللَّهُ الْخَالِقُ الْبَارِئُ الْمُصَوِّرُ ۖ لَهُ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ ۚ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

He is Allah: the Creator, the Inventor, the Shaper. He ˹alone˺ has the Most Beautiful Names. Whatever is in the heavens and the earth ˹constantly˺ glorifies Him. And He is the Almighty, All-Wise

Surah Al-Hashr 59:24

Coaching Insight

This beautiful verse captures some of the Divine Names. We will focus on the first name mentioned: ‘Al-Khāliq’, ‘The Creator’, one of Allah’s 99 Names. He is the Creator of creators, the source of all creativity. All that we see and all that we create comes from Him and flows through us. Just by seeing a sunset, or even by looking at our fingerprints, we naturally sigh and feel a sense of wonder and magic. The verse ends by reminding us that everything in the sky and the earth glorifies Him; all His creations are in a constant state of prayer.

We can embody some of God’s characteristics and allow them to flow through us. Artists in all forms, including engineers, doctors, inventors, and gardeners, are all creators. We are creative because the Great Creator has gifted us with creativity, and our gift in return is to use it. 

The book The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron explores creativity and how to reconnect with our source in order to revive the creative force within us. It has become a global movement. Through practices and exercises, she reminds us how to connect to the Creator and allow creativity to flow through us.

“Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life.

Don’t only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets; art deserves that, for it and knowledge can raise man to the Divine.”

Beethoven

Daily Practice

Be curious about things you have created; any form of art, music, or even a dish you cooked. Are you the creator or where is your ‘creativity’ coming from?

If you would like – create a salad using all your senses. Play around and be curious. Feel how you are being “guided”. Journal about the experience and how you felt creating and after eating your creation. 

Create any form of art, close your eyes and honor the Divine flow that occurred between Allah – The Creator and you. (A few tips: put meditative music as you work and take deep breaths in as you work)

Book Reference

  1. “I am a channel for God’s creativity, and my work comes to good. 
  2. My dreams come from God and God has the power to accomplish them.
  3. As I create and listen, I will be led. 
  4. Creativity is the creator’s will for me. 
  5. My creativity heals myself and others.
  6. I am allowed to nurture my artist.
  7. Through the use of a few simple tools, my creativity will flourish.
  8. Through the use of my creativity, I serve God.
  9. My creativity always leads me to truth and love.
  10. My creativity leads me to forgiveness and self-forgiveness.
  11. There is a Divine plan of goodness for me.
  12. There is a Divine plan of goodness for my work.
  13. As I listen to the creator within, I am led.
  14. As I listen to my creativity I am led to my creator.”

The Artist’s Way – Julia Cameron

“Creativity is sacred, and it is not sacred. What we make matters enormously, and it doesn’t matter at all. We toil alone, and we are accompanied by spirits. We are terrified, and we are brave. Art is a crushing chore and a wonderful privilege. Only when we are at our most playful can divinity finally get serious with us. Make space for all these paradoxes to be equally true inside your soul, and I promise – you can make anything. So please calm down now and get back to work, okay? The treasures that are hidden inside you are hoping you will say yes.”

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear –  Elizabeth Gilbert