The Creative Act: A Way of Being, by Rick Rubin
Rick Rubin is a nine-time GRAMMY-winning producer, named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time and the most successful producer in any genre by Rolling Stone. He has collaborated with artists from Tom Petty to Adele, Johnny Cash to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beastie Boys to Slayer, Kanye West to the Strokes, and System of a Down to Jay-Z.
This is a wonderful book even though it is 405 pages! Each entry, or thought, is only about three pages so you can open the book anywhere and get enlightened. Each passage, reflection or idea takes the reader to places of possibility along the path of creativity. As the book begins Rubin says “nothing in this book is known to be true. It’s a reflection of what I’ve noticed. Not facts so much as thoughts.” And the book ends with “the universe never explains why.” In between the beginning and ending Rubin reflects on Beginner’s Mind, Patience, The Ecstatic Experimentation and many other thought-provoking ideas.
There is a Buddhist philosophy undercurrent flowing through the book. I did some research and discovered that Rubin is a meditator and has given talks on Beginner’s Mind Impermanence, Path Without Goal and The Purpose of Art is Self-Discovery. He is also a music producer and has the unique ability to be a guide to musicians even though he does not play an instrument or read music. He just goes within and listens (with eyes closed).
Awareness is the key to unlocking your creativity, says Rubin. I totally agree! Become aware of your thoughts, feelings, habits and unconscious beliefs and you will come to know your truth that lives within. So this truth, this energy, becomes embedded in your art and as Rubin says, “the creative energy exists in the journey of the making, not in the act of constructing.” And I would add it’s a continuous process. I very much relate when Rubin says that being on the artist path is not a choice and I feel compelled to share the mystery of the energy pulsating from inside my soul and in concert with the universe.