The Golden Rule, which states “do unto others as you would have others do unto you,” is a powerful statement and a good guideline for how to treat others in the world. But when it comes to creativity, its message is subtly limiting, for it asks us to focus on how we would like to […]
What is the relationship between creativity and problem solving?
Recently, I found myself participating in an interesting exchange on LinkedIn, on the Architecture for Humanity thread. I am sharing it with you today because I believe it unveils some important aspects of our ability to use creativity as a means for positive change or to use creativity for a means of subtly adding to […]
An Innovative and Much Needed Pairing: Business, Creativity, and Mindfulness Come Together at the Wisdom 2.0 Conference
Next month, on May 11th and 12th, spiritual teachers, health and wellness professionals, and business leaders from around the world will be gathering in San Francisco for Wisdom 2.0 conference, engaging in a creative dialogue about how the benefits of wisdom traditions can be incorporated into new and innovative business practices. Here’s a look at […]
What are the links between creativity, karma, and creative insight?
Some time ago, I spent two years living on a Buddhist retreat center along the Central Coast of California. Being an architectural designer (and a third rate carpenter) I was there to rehabilitate the center, which needed a lot of loving care. The place was located on 40 acres at the back of a long […]
Creativity and Nonduality: Video On The Nature of Self from the Science & Nonduality Conference
Here is a video highlighting the theme for this year’s Science & Nonduality Conference, “The Nature of Self.” I love the creativity expressed in this video, the parallels being drawn across so many disciplines, all the while celebrating the mystery of the self as it plays itself out in the human experience. I love the […]
Creativity and Nonduality: How The Tension Between Egoic Identity and the Absolute Self Shapes the Creative Process
This weekend I submitted an abstract to speak at The Science & Nonduality Conference to be held in San Rafael, California, in October of this year. The theme for this year is “The Nature of Self.” As a lover of creativity and the creative process, I am constantly exploring what it is that makes creativity […]
What is the Relationship between Creativity and Grace?
Here’s an excerpt from an article that is close to my heart! True creativity, especially the experience of insight, is a profoundly spiritual experience. I love the experience of grace along the creative path. For me, creative insight is a form of grace, an unexpected sense of openness and a penetrating experience of the world […]
Austin’s New Book on Creativity, Between the Bridge and the Water: Death, Rebirth, and Creative Awakening, Now Available
I am pleased to announce the release of my new book, Between the Bridge and the Water: Death, Rebirth, and Creative Awakening, available for the Kindle ebook reader. My book explores the compelling parallels between the outpouring of creativity in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Golden Gate Bridge’s infamous reputation as the world’s […]
Creativity In Organizations: Phil Mckinney’s 7 Immutable Laws of Innovation
According to Phil Mckinney, author of Beyond the Obvious, there are seven unchangeable laws to promoting innovation in companies. Those laws include factors that look at different levels of the company, including leadership, culture, and resources, as well as attitudes such as patience, and a process that fits in with the structure of the company, […]
One Artist Brings Healing Power of Creativity to “Broken Places”
Lily Yeh is an artist who brings the healing power of creativity to places torn by drugs, violence, even genocide. Forced to flee China with her family when she was a child, Yeh has advocated the healing power of creativity throughout the world, including Syria and Rwanda. I love this story both for the diversity […]