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An excerpt from The Bright Way 
by Diana Rowan

From a young age, author Diana Rowan knew she was destined to be a musician. But around the age of ten, she started to get anxious and afraid, feelings that stemmed from the immense pressure she felt to be perfect and please the people around her. She threw up before performances, and several times she had to run offstage, due to her crippling performance anxiety. This caused her to give up her dreams of being a professional musician. But she discovered that when she abandoned her creative desires, her life started to feel dim and empty. After a deep spiritual, emotional, and psychological journey, she realized she had to invite authentic creativity back into her life, so she started teaching music and collaborating with other creative people from around the world. As creativity lit up her life again, she found her way to discovering her core purpose in life. The Bright Way: Five Steps to Freeing the Creative Within (New World Library, March 2, 2020) not only tells her personal story, but shares the five empowering steps that readers can also follow to re-ignite their creative life.

We hope you enjoy this excerpt from the book.

On all epic journeys, there is a moment of hesitation. Let’s face that uncertainty, knowing now that it is an ally we have much to learn from. This darkness is an invitation to go deeper. This darkness is an initiation.

Perhaps something like this is surfacing for you: “Since creativity reflects our true selves back to us, what will I see?” This notion can set nerve-racking expectations that your creations instantly be amazing, given that they reflect your very core. Or maybe we worry that there is no real creativity inside us and we will produce nothing pleasing, even to ourselves. Or we might fear that reflections of our anger, worries, and other “negative” emotions look unflattering, resulting in deprivation of love and connection. Indeed, there are many things we might feel anxious about.

The important thing to remember as you go through this process is that the products of your creativity reflect only part of you. They are not actually you.

I remember back when my whole identity was wrapped up in being a musician. Whatever state my music was in, that’s how I felt about myself as a person. If things were going well musically, I felt great. If they were going badly, I felt worthless.

What I didn’t realize at the time was that my musical output wasn’t me, any more than your reflection in the mirror is actually you. Your work is a snapshot in time. A very important snapshot, true, but not your actual soul. Even your creative journey is not you; rather, your creativity is a way back to your true self.

My Bright Way Vision for You
My vision for you is that your creativity shall be your life ally from now on. My dream is for you to engage wholeheartedly with your life, know personal fulfillment, and shine your light back on our world. My hope is that your dreams guide you again — as they once did back in your golden age, no matter how briefly — and that you live your desires out loud from now on. This path is a way to manifest it. Whatever your chosen form of expression, it is your birthright to be creative and live your truth. You can live a connected, engaged life, whatever your current and ever-changing circumstances.

I’m here to assure you: your creativity is alive and wants to emerge in all its glory...for you. Yes, others may enjoy, admire, and benefit from your work, but it’s by keeping a firm focus on your creative purpose for yourself that you’ll thrive and stay true to your path. If I had to boil down everything we’re focusing on here to one message, it is this: creativity is a way of life, not merely a goal.

Bright Way Activity: Creativity Is a Lifestyle

Write “Creativity is a way of life, not merely a goal” on several sticky notes and place them in your planner, on your bathroom mirror, in your car, and anywhere else you visit often. Notice how the layers of this message’s meaning unfold for you. They’re still unfolding for me, even after all these years!

As a consequence of walking this path, your work will become more powerful, and more beautiful, and you will achieve things you’ve always longed for. Products will happen and goals will be achieved naturally along the way as milestones of accomplishment. Yet in the end, creativity is the reflection of your ever-evolving, connected, true self; a traveling star, not a fixed point.

When you choose to activate your creativity, you affirm all life, not just your own. You take up your torch in the procession of human civilization as a creator, not merely as a consumer. You connect with the flow of all who came before us. You set the stage for those who will follow us.

We are the universe creating itself. Even the smallest act of creativity echoes through the sweep of human existence. The first person to recognize the beauty of a plucked bow string didn’t know they were setting the stage for the invention of all stringed instruments. Where would we be without that person today? We need you, even if you don’t think you have anything earth-shattering to share. One tiny thing you create tomorrow may be the answer to something crucial a hundred years from now. Or it may not be! It’s not your worry, either way. You just have to show up and connect with life. You are enough. Rudyard Kipling, author of The Jungle Book and constant inquirer into the interplay between structure and freedom, concluded: “No price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.”

When we see someone — like you — step into their true power, it’s the most thrilling thing. We witness magic coming to life. Our faith in humanity is restored. As we reclaim our inborn courage, our love radiates out far and wide, connecting us to everything around us, making sense of life.

Now, this might feel like a lot. Do you wonder where to even start on our epic journey? Take hope: the magic is already inside you. Hildegard of Bingen is again with us: “Humanity, take a good look at yourself. Inside, you’ve got heaven and earth, and all of creation. You’re a world — everything is hidden in you.” Let’s reveal you!

Diana Rowan is the author of The Bright Way. She is a professional harpist with an MM in classical piano performance and a PhD in music theory. She is also the founder of Bright Knowledge Guild, an online creative community that offers students around the world access to her Bright Way system. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. Find out more about her work at www.DianaRowan.com.

Excerpted from the book The Bright Way. Copyright ©2020 by Diana Rowan. Printed with permission from New World Library.

I can't seem to meditate, but I would love to learn. I have an extremely busy home with six children, and I also take care of an ill mother-in-law. I've tried a hot bath to relax, and I've tried listening to music, but it doesn't help - I always get interrupted. I would really like to get in touch with the spirit world as my Native American ancestors did. Do you have any advice on how to start meditating for people like me? Thank you so much!

- Gert

Dreamchaser:

I can so relate to your "crazy world" way of living. I think anyone with children and responsibilities can understand. Here are some tips that may help you.

The first thing I highly recommend is an audio set called "The Inner Art of Meditation" by Jack Kornfield. It is for beginners, and it is VERY easy to understand. In the first part he explains all the history behind meditation, etc., and some people find this extremely boring. Once you get to the first exercise, however, it will move along quickly.

This audio program is very helpful, for he teaches you exactly what to do. If you can find 30 minutes after all the kids go to bed and it's quiet, then you can complete this audio set.

Meditation is not the only way to get in touch with the spiritual world, however. You could try just sitting in nature. I know that your Native American ancestors did that, and I know that being in nature is how I "meditate." I go and sit and listen to the wind, watch the birds, trees, grass and the sky. I watch water and fire and anything else that is around me in nature. It has a hypnotic power over me, and I can get lulled into the beauty of it all.

When I am "in tune" with all that is, I hear messages from Spirit. Nature is a quick spiritual fix for me. It brings me back to center. It makes me feel that I am part of all that is. It allows me to hear the voices of guides, angels and other beings that want to speak with me.

It worked the same way with your ancestors. If you put your hand on the ground, you can feel the energy coming up from the earth. THAT is what your ancestors used to find Spirit.

You might ask yourself what you're really seeking through meditation. You also might ask yourself what you want to have happen WHILE meditating. Make sure that you are not stuck in the belief that meditation will calm your entire being and make your day go smoothly. It can help, but you have to do the rest. I guess I am saying that meditation is not a "cure-all" or a tool for instant enlightenment, so stay open to other spiritual practices.

I also think that you need to set a new precedent in your house. If you give and give and give and do not recharge your own batteries, you will wind up empty and sick. You need to set aside some time for you, when no one is allowed to disturb you for any reason. Or you might set up the "Blue or Red Rule": If someone is turning blue or if there is blood or fire, then they can disturb you!

You have to take time for YOU to be a whole human. I wish you a total blending with All That Is.

*****

Astrea:

Many busy people find it quite difficult to meditate. While all the "ladies" magazines tell us we just have to "carve out some time for ourselves" or "lock ourselves in the bathroom" or call a "Mommy time-out," sometimes those things aren't very practical. The only way you're going to find time to meditate undisturbed is to get up in the middle of the night when everyone else is sleeping, and that would probably leave you exhausted.

My best suggestion for you is to find a belly dancing class. If you have older daughters, they can go with you. Yes girls, I know I pimp this idea to you every chance I get, but if you've never tried it, you really can't imagine all the benefits of dancing.

Belly dancing is woman-centered: it was created by women FOR women over 2000 years ago. While meditation quiets the mind in STILLNESS, Belly Dancing takes active people away to a different dimension.

It's easy to do as well. A good side effect is toning and weight loss, but the BEST one is the sisterhood that develops in the "family" you'll build there. Throughout many cultures around the world, women have developed similar dances. Ancient cultures supported the relationships that women find through moving in unison together. One of my long dead teachers was ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE that by now, American men and women would find their Dance Center.

Your own Native American heritage promoted women dancing together too, but let's face it, in most small towns and cities in America, that type of folk dance class is difficult to find. ALL folk dances have common movements and themes, however, and belly dancing will release your Spirit in the same way. One difference with belly dancing is that you get to wear a pretty outfit. (I highly recommend Ebay for finding that!) From color to style, costuming can be another delightful, liberating experience.

"Oh, but Astrea, I don't have time or money for classes." NONSENSE! I'm talking about one hour a WEEK! Your big family can take care of each other for THAT LONG. If you honestly can't afford it, look at the YMCA or the parks and recreation department in your town for affordable options.

Also, dance teachers are understanding folks - perhaps you have a useful skill like sewing or beading that would be more useful than cash to your teacher. Sewing and beading are also forms of meditation for busy people. There's a side benefit of dancing right THERE!

You're already moving through space on an hourly basis for everyone ELSE - I think it's time you start moving a little bit for yourself!