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The Tim Ferriss Show
#430: Elizabeth Gilbert’s Creative Path: Saying No, Trusting Your Intuition, Index Cards, Integrity Checks, Grief, Awe, and Much More
May 9, 2020
02:13:39
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Quick takeaways
- Research forms the backbone of Elizabeth Gilbert's writing process, utilizing index cards and meticulous preparation for seamless creativity.
- Grief serves as a profound emotion driving Gilbert's work, mirroring personal experiences with intricate emotions in her writing.
- Approximately a fifth of Gilbert's research ideas make it into her books, highlighting the depth of exploration and preparation.
- The symbiotic relationship between creativity and research showcases a writer's commitment to serving ideas with anticipation and reverence.
- Inviting fear to express itself through writing allows for introspection and self-discovery, coexisting with grace and wisdom.
- Martha Beck's journey emphasizes the importance of integrity and intuitive wisdom in breaking free from societal norms.
Deep dives
Marcus Aurelius and the Power of Stoicism
Stoicism was fundamental for Marcus Aurelius, who, as a philosopher king, used its precepts to navigate life's challenges. His 'Meditations' offer timeless wisdom, addressing personal struggles, service, failure, emotions, and control. His self-coaching style encourages resilience and decisive action, emphasizing both engagement and detachment in facing life's dilemmas.
The Transformational Role of Research in Writing
Research forms the backbone of Elizabeth Gilbert's writing process, with meticulous organization and dedication to preparation. Her system involves representing each idea on an index card, integrating facts and dialogue meticulously collected over years of research. This preparation allows for seamless creativity during the writing process, striking a balance between planned structure and spontaneous expression.
The Intricate Dance of Grief and Writing
Grief, a profound emotion, found its way into Gilbert's creative process following personal loss. The rage, humor, and deep introspection during grief mirrored intricate emotions in her writing. The complex interplay between personal experiences and creative pursuits illuminated the depth of emotional exploration in her work.
The Lifetime Percentage of Research Ideas Making It to the Book
Approximately a fifth of Elizabeth Gilbert's research ideas find their way into her finished books. This measured conversion highlights the depth of exploration and preparation involved in her writing process. Each meticulously crafted card contributes to the rich tapestry of her storytelling, ensuring a comprehensive and detailed narrative.
The Ever-Present Muse in Research and Writing
The symbiotic relationship between creative ideas and diligent research underscores the role of the writer as a servant to the creative process. Gilbert's commitment to serving the 'mothership' of ideas showcases a humility and dedication to the craft of writing. Her approach blends a sense of anticipation, preparation, and reverence for the flow of inspiration.
Detaching Fear to Allow Wisdom to Guide
By inviting fear to express itself through writing in a journal, individuals can then thank fear for sharing its vulnerabilities and gracefully ask it to step aside to allow wisdom to come forth. This process, inspired by Marcus Aurelius, reveals the coexistence of fear, grace, and wisdom within individuals, sparking introspection and self-discovery.
Integrity Cleanse and Trusting Intuition
Martha Beck's journey from a place of illness and societal expectations towards self-discovery and healing emphasizes the importance of listening to one's intuitive nature. Through an integrity cleanse, where one commits to honesty and self-awareness, individuals can break free from societal norms and trust their body's intuitive wisdom.
Impact of Psychodelics and Artist's Way Course
Exploring the transformative potential of psychodelics alongside cautionary notes on navigating such experiences highlights the need for mindful exploration. The Artist's Way course, focusing on morning pages and artist dates, serves as a transformative tool for discovering hidden desires and guiding personal growth through self-expression and creativity.
Exploring Morning Pages and Art Estates
The podcast discusses the impact of morning pages on creativity and personal exploration. Mentioning the influence of Bryan Coppleman, the speaker shares a personal experience of discovering and engaging in 'art estates'. One example given is the exploration of the High Line in New York as a creative pursuit, highlighting the process of uncovering and immersing oneself in such artistic adventures. Engaging in these activities is portrayed as a way to follow curiosity and experience joy without the need for specific outcomes.
Challenging Conventional Narratives on Women's Sexuality
The episode delves into the portrayal of women's sexuality in literature, challenging traditional narratives of 'ruined women'. The speaker emphasizes the desire to depict a female character, Vivian Morris, who embraces her sexuality throughout her life without succumbing to societal judgment. By emphasizing female resilience and the importance of self-acceptance, the podcast aims to redefine narratives around women's sexual freedom and agency. The episode encourages readers to focus on themes of female friendship and self-compassion in addition to the exploration of sexuality, offering a multifaceted perspective.
Embracing Mercy and Self-Compassion
The discussion shifts towards the theme of mercy and self-compassion in personal growth and well-being. The speaker advocates for extending kindness and understanding towards oneself as a vital foundation for practicing universal human compassion. By acknowledging the necessity of self-mercy and encouraging self-acceptance, the episode promotes the idea that self-compassion is essential for fostering empathy and connection with others. Embracing mercy towards oneself is presented as a transformative step in cultivating inner peace and resilience amidst life's challenges.
Elizabeth Gilbert’s Amazing Creative Toolkit: Saying No, Trusting Intuition, Seeking Awe, Bathing in Grief, and Index Cards | Brought to you by Thrive Market and Athletic Greens. More on both below.
“We live in a culture that says you should be able to power through anything. Life will very generously remind you that you cannot, and it will very generously break you at times and very generously show you.” — Elizabeth Gilbert
Elizabeth Gilbert (@GilbertLiz) is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Big Magic and Eat, Pray, Love, as well as several other internationally bestselling books. She has been a finalist for the National Book Award, the National Book Critics Circle Award, and the PEN/Hemingway Award. Her latest novel, City of Girls, was named an instant New York Times Best Seller and is a rollicking, sexy tale of the New York City theater world during the 1940s.
Please enjoy!
This episode is brought to you by Thrive Market, which saves me a ton of money and is perfect for these crazy times. Thrive Marketis a membership-based site on a mission to make healthy living easy and affordable for everyone. You can find all types of food, supplements, nontoxic home products, clean wine, dog food—just about anything. Members earn wholesale prices every day and save an average of $30 on each order. I personally saved $39 on my most recent order.
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Past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show include Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Jackman, Dr. Jane Goodall, LeBron James, Kevin Hart, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, Esther Perel, Elizabeth Gilbert, Terry Crews, Sia, Yuval Noah Harari, Malcolm Gladwell, Madeleine Albright, Cheryl Strayed, Jim Collins, Mary Karr, Maria Popova, Sam Harris, Michael Phelps, Bob Iger, Edward Norton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Neil Strauss, Ken Burns, Maria Sharapova, Marc Andreessen, Neil Gaiman, Neil de Grasse Tyson, Jocko Willink, Daniel Ek, Kelly Slater, Dr. Peter Attia, Seth Godin, Howard Marks, Dr. Brené Brown, Eric Schmidt, Michael Lewis, Joe Gebbia, Michael Pollan, Dr. Jordan Peterson, Vince Vaughn, Brian Koppelman, Ramit Sethi, Dax Shepard, Tony Robbins, Jim Dethmer, Dan Harris, Ray Dalio, Naval Ravikant, Vitalik Buterin, Elizabeth Lesser, Amanda Palmer, Katie Haun, Sir Richard Branson, Chuck Palahniuk, Arianna Huffington, Reid Hoffman, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Rick Rubin, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Darren Aronofsky, and many more.
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