Creative meditation is very important in respect to transforming and developing a new type of personality. Through Creative meditation we can build new thought patterns and psychological qualities.
By Kenneth Sørensen , from his book: Integral Meditation
When we meditate and use creative meditation we work with the psychological function of imagination, because it facilitates the arising of creative energy, and imagination itself is further developed. Imagination, of course, is associated with superstition, naivety and unreality, notions such as Santa Claus and other childish ideas. But like all psychological functions, our imagination is as mature as our level of consciousness. It is important to distinguish imagination from fantasy.
Imagination is a powerful creative force. Many spiritual traditions use visualizations as part of their contemplative practices. Advertisers know the psychological effect that images have, especially when shown repeatedly. Energy follows thought, but it also follows images. This brings us to the topic of Creative Meditation.
Creative Meditation
Is based on visualization and draws on the energy of the creative river. My practice with the sun in the heart is an example of this form of meditation. Through visualization we form images in the psyche that carry the energies attributed to them. It is one of the most important tools that our inner life artist can use to decorate the temple of our personality. This practice is necessary for the Soul to manifest as through it a new personality can be slowly formed in which a higher consciousness can express itself.
Visualization is particularly important during certain stages of this meditation. One is the pre-contemplative stage when meditating on a specific topic. Metaphorically, this is similar to hiking up to a mountain top to sit in silence – the aim is to still our thoughts, feelings and sensations so they might be harmonized and made receptive to the Soul’s inspiration. There are many ways to do this, but the essential elements of this process are balance and harmonization.
For most meditations I follow these stages: centering, ascension, meditation and anchoring. These stages ensure that we meditate from our highest level of consciousness. We begin by raising our awareness to the superconscious realm, for which we can use the image of hiking up a mountain. This incidentally helps communication between the brain, our emotions, our mind, the conscious observer (or self) and the Soul. Visualizations help develop this communication, and gradually our conscious connection with the Soul is strengthened.
Centering and creative meditation
Here we quieten the body, the emotions and the mind so they might be harmonized with the Soul; we can then adopt a conscious position as the observer. Here is an example of a creative approach to make use of before the actual work starts.
I start by visualizing a sun in my heart that emanates an acceptance of all being, and anchor myself there. This provides standing power and lets me rest in the loving center of being. I then visualize a golden stream of energy ascending from the heart and circling my neck and throat. This stabilizes the mind, the area which controls concrete thinking. I now visualize this energy moving up to my brow, where the integration of the energies of the personality and Soul takes place. I focus on a point in front of my forehead, seeing it as a bright white-gold light. Then mentally I say: “I integrate my three bodies and make them available to the service of the Soul.” I say this with authority. I finish by focusing in the center of my brain, saying: “I am the conscious incarnated Soul.” Then I open my mind to a global awareness, feeling the same consciousness alive in all incarnated Souls. This conscious identification with the World Soul unites me with other awakened ones. It is a very powerful experience. My personality is brought into harmony with the alert observer. I’m on the mountaintop, at the tip of my consciousness pyramid.
This is just one example of a centering visualization. There are different types and it is important to find one that suits you.
Ascension and creative meditation
Here we create a channel between the incarnated Soul and the higher Soul’s field of inspiration. I visualize a white-gold light streaming from the center of my brain up to a brilliant light above it. Then I open to the Soul’s wisdom and inspiration. I can send the stream of light into the cosmic being connecting me to a brilliant star-like radiance. This ascension brings a sense of meaning and harmony, connected to my spiritual purpose. It gives strength and a sense of greatness.
Centering and ascension can take no more than five minutes – less if you are experienced. (Sometimes I omit ascension if a particular meditation does not require it. Awareness Meditation do not require an ascent because our primary objective is to let go of all forms and identify with pure consciousness.)
Meditation and creative meditation
This is the central stage. We have already selected a theme to focus on. We can meditate on anything we like, but it is a good idea to meditate on a quality in our personality that needs to be strengthened. This links our integral meditation with the creativity we want in our life. This motivates us to practice meditation and subsequently develops our ability to manifest the Soul. Developing the qualities of the creative river also helps us to meet the challenges in our personality.
If we visualize a brilliant white lotus in the heart centre, emanating peace and harmony to all living beings, a mental lotus will develop transmitting peace and harmony from the superconscious. We create a vessel into which higher energies can descend. Experienced meditators who know the impact of a long-term visualization practice will recognize this vessel: returning here is like visiting a house you have built and where all the created energies are at your disposal.
Through visualization a channel to the energies of the superconscious is slowly formed. In our everyday lives we will soon notice a flow created by these energies, and the subpersonalities that resist peace will also surface in order to be transformed – this is a natural consequence of the meditation; hence this river is also the path of “harmony through conflict”.
Anchoring and creative meditation
This is an important stage. It ensures that our energies do not accumulate, clogging our system, but are channeled into the world. Accumulations constipate our energy centers, which can lead to headaches, burning sensations, fatigue, irritability and restlessness. We therefore finish our meditation by making this energy available to everyone. We do this by saying OM out loud three times. With each OM we visualize energy flowing out into the world, to the people we know. The Soul wants to bring light to the world, and this work initiates a powerful purifying stream of light that uplifts and strengthens the social world in which we manifest. Intoning OM deepens the energies on which we mentally focus.
Creative Meditation develops our fantasy and imagination. The imagination is both an organ of vision and a creative tool. With the organ of vision we look into the inner world and see its immensity. We could become clairvoyant; we can see auras, spirits on the astral plane, and other inner beings. However, we must be careful on this path. The imagination brings us into contact with whatever we tune into or imagine. We must be able to distinguish between objective inner realities and our own subjective imaginings. A good example is angels, or devas as they are called in the East. The reality of angels is attested to by many enlightened people, but they do not necessarily look like their popular representations. These familiar images are created by fantasy and will be kept alive as long as people invest in them with their thoughts and feelings. When they no longer capture our imagination, we withdraw this life energy and they will fade away. Real angels have their own life energy, development and place in evolution.
Creative Meditation is a powerful tool that develops our personality so it can express the Soul. It is useful for all personality types, even those who find it difficult to visualize for whom the focus can be on feeling the images. Creative Meditation is helpful for those who need to strengthen their will because it helps us to develop qualities that help us in our daily life. Creative types will naturally be attracted to this meditation, but we should be mindful not to leave our present reality behind and enter a fantasy world – and this applies to all types. I have met many people who have lost touch with reality and the fact that everything must be manifested on the physical plane. A creative imagination can make real changes in the world; it can also be a form of escapism.
Here you will find more inspiration
Here you can buy The Soul of Psychosynthesis , By Kenneth Sørensen
Here you can buy Integral Meditation – The Seven Ways to Self-Realization , By Kenneth Sørensen
Read the intro article about Integral Meditation
Read the intro article about Psychosynthesis
Read the intro article about The Seven Types
Here you will find a biography about Roberto Assagioli
