Bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert discusses overcoming fears and anxieties in pursuing a creative career, delving into ancient beliefs on creativity. The podcast emphasizes collaboration for inspiration and the perseverance needed to maintain creativity amidst external pressures.
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Quick takeaways
Creativity should be seen as a collaborative process with a divine source, not just individual genius.
Creative inspiration can come unpredictably from external sources beyond rational explanation.
Deep dives
Reconsidering Creativity and Genius
In the podcast episode, Elizabeth Gilbert delves into the concept of creativity and genius, challenging the idea of individual genius by tracing back to ancient beliefs of creativity as a divine force rather than an internal attribute. She expresses concerns about the immense pressure artists face in modern times to solely rely on their individual genius, leading to anxiety and unmanageable expectations. Gilbert suggests revisiting the ancient understanding of creativity as a collaborative process between the artist and a divine source, advocating for a shift in mindset to alleviate the burden on creators.
Seeking Creative Insight from External Sources
Elizabeth Gilbert shares a story about the poet Ruth Stone, who experienced a unique process of receiving poems as thunderous inspirations that she had to catch before they escaped her. By externalizing the creative process through Stone's narrative, Gilbert highlights the mysterious and unpredictable nature of creativity that transcends individual control. She contrasts Stone's experience with her own more labor-intensive approach to writing, emphasizing the profound, inexplicable moments of creative insight that manifest from external sources beyond rational explanation.
Embracing the Creative Process with Resilience
Elizabeth Gilbert recounts her personal struggles and doubts while writing 'Eat, Pray, Love,' underscoring the common challenges faced by creators in questioning their work's quality and significance. She narrates a transformative moment inspired by musician Tom Waits, who shifted his perspective on creativity by externalizing the pressure and expectation associated with his artistic process. Drawing from Waits' experience, Gilbert advocates for embracing the creative journey with resilience and dedication, acknowledging the mysterious nature of creative inspiration and the need to disentangle personal identity from creative output.
This speech was originally delivered February 2009 at TED. TED is the copyright owner of this talk.
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