Last time we explored the relationship between learning another language and its effects on one’s health, especially in its ability to prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s. Today I am going to share my own personal experience with learning another language and its effects on my creativity. In 1999, halfway through my graduate school studies in architecture, […]
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 […]
Slivers of Eternity: One Minute Meditations On The Ground of Creativity, #11
In this clip, filmed at The Circle in North Berkeley, a traffic circle with a fountain in the center of it and a tunnel passing directly underneath, the headlights from unseen cars illuminate the water dropping from the upper tier. This beautiful fountain was out of commission when I lived in the area in the […]
When it comes to innovation and creativity, how does the momentum of a country affect its ability to compete in the global marketplace?
I found the following article on the innovative potential of Tunisia both interesting and somewhat disheartening. In it, the author, economics researcher, Montasser Ghachem, analyzes Tunisia for its ability to innovate, saying, “Our culture still suffers from flaws that substantially impede our progress and squander valuable human resources.” Taking the view that creativity is our […]
Excerpt from Austin’s new book, Between the Bridge and the Water: Death, Rebirth, and Creative Awakening
Here is an excerpt from my new book, Between the Bridge and the Water: Death, Rebirth, and Creative Awakening. In it I explore 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 number one suicide destination. It is my opinion […]
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 […]
Slivers of Eternity: One Minute Meditations On The Ground of Creativity, #10
In this clip, filmed at my home in North Berkeley, the creative interdependence of the universe creates a spontaneous light show in my bathroom. A windy day, the sunlight from millions of miles away, the movement of the redwood trees that surround my house, and a high east facing window allow the erratic changes of […]
Elizabeth Gilbert, Author of “Eat, Pray, Love,” On Nurturing Creativity
This is one of my all time favorite talks on the nature of creativity and creative genius by Elizabeth Gilbert, author of the phenomenally successful book, Eat, Pray, Love. The TED talk was filmed over three years ago now but her message is timeless, a return to the mysterious origins of creative insight. I love […]
How to Promote Creativity in Young Children
Children are naturally creative. Yet certain activities encourage that creativity more than others. According to Dr Rebecca Palacios, it is important to encourage creativity in children by presenting them with open-ended materials where their ultimate use is created by the child. Objects with specific functions, however, such as a toy that is designed to illicit […]
Slivers of Eternity: One Minute Meditations On The Ground of Creativity, #9
In this clip, filmed on Marin Avenue near the border of Berkeley and Albany, California, a makeshift memorial is erected for a teenage boy who was recently killed at the intersection. The handwritten signs express love, sadness, anger, and disbelief at the student’s untimely death. In the wake of death, the ordinary movement of cars […]