An introduction to beginning a Creative Sādhanā.
Dive into your inner landscape, become a conduit and honour your creativity.
UNMILAYA
to unfurl {or} to blossom
You can also find presentation version of the workbook {here}
Hello friend — I am honored that you have downloaded this workbook and that you are dedicating time to hold space for yourself and your art.
Creation is your essence as a living being - everyone on earth is a conduit of creative energy.
This is an introduction to beginning a creative sādhanā. This mini guide moves through setting your space, meditation and journal prompts. These prompts are a starting point for you to connect to your creativity. If you would would like to go deeper I have a mini 5 day course and a 40 day self led course is coming soon that can guide, support and ground you in this process. If you would like more in depth support, I offer 1:1 Mentorship sessions to gently hold you on your journey.
I am here for you —
Sādhanā is the Sanskrit term for sacred daily practice or ritual.
This is a commitment to show up for yourself, exploring the landscape within you to invite self expression and creative flow. When we meet ourselves daily, we nurture our capacity and grow our ability to alchemise, transform and create new potential. The union of space and self discovery facilitates presence, personal embodiment and the integration of our intentions into a flowing creative practice.
Please read through the introduction pages which has guidance on how to create a sacred space for yourself and a meditation + pranayama method which I highly recommend you include in your morning practice.
Create a safe, quiet place for yourself where you will not be disturbed during your creative process.
The physical space you choose should feel, above all else, peaceful. Ideally, it is a quiet nook of your home where you can be in solitude. It can also be outdoors if you prefer to be in nature and create with the earth.
Most importantly, keep your phone on silent or turn off your notifications. Gift yourself presence. Our ability to be present with our surroundings and our intention holds the energetics of our experience.
An altar {derived from Latin meaning ‘the highest’} is a sacred space or place that is used for ritual. Your altar is a portal to send and receive from, an anchor to hold you - a chance to come into the present moment, a place to connect with the natural world and the energies around you, a way to access your intuition and tap into your creativity.
Make your altar deeply intentional, deeply personal, deeply evocative and alive. What is the most important thing for you? What do you want to call in right now?
The foundation of the altar can be a plate, tray, fabric, slab of marble or wood or it can be on the floor, earth, table or shelf. Add a candle, elements of nature - flowers, rocks/stones/ crystals, fruit, herbs, spices, art, photographs, poetry/words, mala beads or jewellery, anything that calls to you, inspires you and is special and meaningful for you.
What objects do you want to choose to symbolise what you are longing for your highest self right now?
If you choose your sacred space to be outside, you can leave your altar on the land, add to it, build onto it and let it evolve or leave it to dry out or dissolve - offering your altar gatherings back to the earth in ritual, breaking down in its own time.
{Always be mindful when creating your altar outside, make sure there is nothing that could harm wildlife and when offering your natural materials back to the earth, release them with deep reverence and gratitude}
NADI SHODHANA
(Alternate-Nostril Breathing)
A purifying and balancing technique that leads to a state of deep, receptive calm. The practice can open you to a rush of creativity whilst quieting your inner critic.
From a transpersonal lens, you will connect with your inner knowing and embody your intention for your sādhanā. Studies have found that our brain changes its way of thinking when we use visualisation.
Collate a vision of what moves you.
You can create this physically or digitally {I always love to use a pin board or stick and paste over digitally}
This could be:
You may wish to place your vision board on to your altar.
Use this space to let words move through you, without thought. I recommend putting pen to paper and allowing yourself to free write, then use this space to write up if you wish to keep a record of it digitally.
What does it mean to you to live creatively?
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Do you have any childhood memories of how your interests led to your current creative practice/modality?
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How would you describe your philosophy as an artist/creative?
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Who would you be if you allowed yourself to explore your creative power
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How would you feel if you fully accepted yourself as a divine creator who's here to share your art with the world?
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I’d love to hear from you. Share your outcomes, clarity or alignment. If you would like to go deeper please feel free to connect with me via email or DM on Instagram.
Elizabeth x
Email: [email protected]
