Creativity…to create…to make something that didn’t previously exist. It sounds like a very doing word in some ways. And there is definitely a Yang or active component to bringing a creation into the manifested world. If we don’t act of course things just remain seeds of possibility, ideas waiting to be birthed!
But there is also a Yin aspect to creativity. A side that easily gets crowded out by the busyness of modern living and the hustle of launching, getting things done, finishing. And for Eros – life force – to be creatively expressed we need both the Yin and the Yang of creativity.
Brene Brown beautifully put it that vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change. Without vulnerability we will just keep treading the same old path we’ve always known and making the same old things we’ve always made…our creative energy stagnates.
I think of this in the context of the feminine essence or Yin. Yin is vulnerable. Yin is open, receptive, surrendered, subtle, unknown and non-linear. When we don’t know the exact outcome or next step this is vulnerable. But this unknown is also essential in creativity and in authentic relating.
If we want to make something that never existed before (including new ways of connecting), we need to be open to new possibilities and allow space for the new ideas, opportunities, potential to be seen, heard, felt, experienced. We need to move away from Black and White thinking and leave space for life to surprise us.
“The flow between Action & Surrender into the unknown is the birthplace of innovation.”
And if we’re always in the Yang or taking action part of creativity and connecting we’re going to keep moving directly towards the Known rather than the unknown.
If you’re a creative spirit, a change maker, an entrepreneur, a visionary for change or someone who thrives on or aches for deep authentic connections…are you taking the time to empty out, to yield, to trust, to feel, to listen, to receive? What does that look like for you?
This isn’t a gender specific issue – it’s across the board. BUT for women who experience a menstrual cycle, awareness of the Yin and Yang in their seasons add an extra layer of importance and support. To learn to work with the phases of the cycle to honour that creativity and the desire for connection may exist through all four inner seasons but they will look remarkably different.
It’s common to hear about the beauty and the brilliance and the amazingly energised phase of Spring and Summer (Follicular & Ovulation phases) and of launching new projects, products, networks, connections but what about the leaning back part of our cycle? The phase of Autumn and Winter (Luteal and Menstruation – or Peri menopause and Menopause!)? The phases of closing up old projects to create a fertile soil for the not yet known. The phase where the veil between the mundane and the mystical is at its thinnest and intuition is right there for tasting.
These super potent periods need to be honoured, treasured, celebrated…AND HARNESSED because these are the phases where our energy is more receptive, more open to listening, to trusting our connection to a higher wisdom or consciousness. These are the phases where we prepare the soil ready for the doing seasons of Spring and Summer.
In our Autumn Yin Nest we take 8 weeks to slow things down and bring awareness every week for 90 minutes to the gifts of Yin. From gentle movement, to stillness, to feeling the connection to our subtle energy field and the gifts of Mother Nature, to noticing the gifts of the subtle flow of sensual energy through our body, to connecting in the heart, mind and body with other women in a space of vulnerability and authenticity.
There are still a few places left for this round, starting Monday 20th 6.30 – 8.00pm in Treeby (link in bio). Or reach out if you’d like to work 1:1 to embrace and harness the gifts of your Yin and your beautiful vulnerability.
Much Love
Lani