“The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity,” by Julia Cameron, is an outstanding book demonstrating the self-coaching process and recommending creativity circles that are small groups of supportive peers. Such groups need not be led by a creativity coach and will enhance growth achieved in the peer or self-coaching process. Cameron writes that specialists are using her book in therapy and coaching sessions, but she emphasizes that clients and creators need not become dependent upon the professional therapist or creativity-group leader. At some point, the leader must relinquish control, permitting artists to be responsible for their own creations.

                Cameron recommends that pople wishing to become more creative do three "morning pages" of writing each day. They are encouraged write about any topic, from creative plans to dissatisfactions. They are advised to wake up thirty minutes earlier than they would normally arise and write those three pages that need not be shared with anyone, not the group leader, not peers, not one's mother. These pages are private, putting the emergent creator on the path to enhanced productiveness while pouring all his feelings into them. Most importantly, he should check in with someone in the group to report ongoing progress.

                Cameron suggests creators on the road to revitalization say daily affirmations to remind them of their worth and that artists schedule two-hour "artist dates" weekly to pamper the artist within.  It is essential to remind oneself of one’s worth while recognizing that some individuals have had negative influences on the creator's early life when they have been too critical of artistic efforts over the years. Pampering oneself is essential in order to gather more interesting information upon which to build one’s career. For instance, Cameron recommends that creators' enjoyable dates include pampering the inner artist by purchasing stickers and creative tools to enhance desire to produce. Even going to a film will enable creative people to get new ideas for future works.

                An essential part of being a successful creator entails realizing that artists do not have to drink heavily, nor do they have to be promiscuous. Quite the contrary, many artists, writers and creators live balanced and successful lives in terms of family and monetary gain. Our culture has depicted creators unfairly and has urged some individuals to believe they could not be both successful financially and personally while being artistically productive. It takes courage and audacity to refuse to adhere to these false stereotypes. No longer should artists defeat themselves by proclaiming creativity will take them along a bad path.

                Rather, Cameron believes artists’ creations are manifestations of God or the Creator within, regardless of how one envisions the creator. These artistic creations benefit society and make the world a better place. Thus, creativity is a spiritual practice enhanced by forming artists’ sacred circles of mutual respect and supportive communities. Cameron reminds us that creative people are attracted to one another and are necessary to ignite each other’s passion. They succeed when they sustain one another through motivational talks and sharing opportunities. These “Sacred Circles,” as Cameron calls them, give members opportunities to reflect upon mutual success.

                Numerous creators have come to similar conclusions as Cameron, equating spirituality with art, describing it as the manifestation of a supreme being. Such a concept is not new; however, Cameron presents additional great tools which will work well with groups embarking upon creative discovery, even independently of therapists or creativity coaches. Such mutually-supportive efforts will also enhance creativity coaching and therapy. All one needs is to purchase “The Artist’s Way” and possibly the workbook to begin the courageous path of productivity on one's own.  
Laura Sweeney, Ed.D.

Cameron, Julia, "The Artist's Way,"  Penguin Putnam Inc., New York, N.Y.,  1992, 2002.