Creating Something From Nothing
Back in 4th grade, my best friend and I memorized a monologue from Charlotte’s Web that we found utterly fascinating. It was all about the concept of nothing, which left us feeling both small and aware of the infinite possibilities that lay ahead of us. There is something deeply profound about contemplating nothing, doing nothing, even bringing the mind to a place of nothing, or emptiness. Nothing opens up space for anything to happen.
The passage we memorized (which I can still recite from memory due to how many times we repeated it to each other that year) was:
“What do you mean less than nothing? I don't think there is any such thing as less than nothing. Nothing is absolutely the limit of nothingness. It's the lowest you can go. It's the end of the line. How can something be less than nothing? If there were something that was less than nothing, then nothing would not be nothing, it would be something - even though it's just a very little bit of something. But if nothing is nothing, then nothing has nothing that is less than it is.” - E.B. White, Charlotte’s Web
When there is nothing less than nothing, we are faced with the blank page, the blank canvas, the empty space, the dark quiet. As a creative, I have learned how vitally important it is to empty the mind in order for creativity to come flowing forth. Yet, we must be intentional about our return to nothingness. If we are not, the chaos of the world (I am reminded of the movie, Everything Everywhere All At Once) will swallow us up and spit us out, time and time again. We must claim our space, time and right to nothing in order to create anything of value.
Therefore, nothing is actually everything. This is the epitome of a paradox mindset. They seem to be entirely at odds, yet for the best creative efforts, both must be embraced and present. It is tempting to think linearly about them, that nothing must come first in order for something to be created. However, in my experience, they are more cyclical in nature than linear. Nothing does not necessarily need to come first; sometimes I feel overwhelmed by everything, and that is the impetus that compels me to return to nothing, which eventually creates everything.
“I know only one thing: that I know nothing.” - Attributed to Socrates, Apology
According to Socrates, considered one of the “fathers” of Western philosophy, it is only when we realize we know nothing that we are wise. Admitting we know nothing is incredibly humbling and grounds us in the knowledge that there is always more to learn. From this premise, we can approach life and creativity with a beginner’s mind, open to possibilities and ready to receive inspiration from anywhere.
When we begin creating from this place of nothing, one of the most important acts is listening. To what or to whom are we listening? Depending on your beliefs about spirituality and the universe, you may be listening to God, Divine Love, Allah, Elohim, Yahweh, Source, Shiva, your inner voice or any other source greater than your human egoic self. Channeling creative source(s) is the work of a lifetime. I do not believe that we are ultimately the creators - of our families, our art, our businesses, our ideas. I believe we are subcontracted creators, if you will. We are fulfilling a deep purpose for the higher Creator to fully and kaleidoscopically express itself. No pressure. ;)
In this role, as subcontractors, we must listen well to the instructions and inspiration we receive to create as clearly as we can. What are the characters trying to say? What is the truest voice for this client’s message? How can I allow my child to develop into their truest self? What shapes do the colors and paintbrushes want to form on the page? What movements convey the music’s story and fit the dancers’ range? When we start from a place of nothing, we are more capable of receiving insights that are not limited by our ego, our narrow perspective, or even our human experience. Mary Oliver had another way of putting it:
“Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable.” -Mary Oliver
This requires a deep knowing that we cannot possibly imagine everything. We must be open to hearing, seeing, and creating the unimaginable. Yesterday morning, I found myself walking my dog as I always do and appreciating the growing fractals in the leaves of a neighbor’s tree that keep expanding and sprouting each successive morning as spring approaches. I had asked Divine Love (how I think of creative source) to reveal a creative idea to me a few weeks prior, and I had been waiting and listening for guidance. Suddenly, a new creative idea about how to serve more people and better share my love of writing floated into my consciousness as naturally as a leaf grows from one day to the next. I smiled and walked on, excited to share this new idea with a friend and start work on bringing it to life.
I find inspiration like that comes more easily when I ask a question of the universe, put it in writing if I feel inspired to, then wait and listen. (This takes more patience than I usually have.) It feels easier to push, force, achieve, attempt, or will an idea to come, than it does to allow it. Yet, when I trust the timing of the universe, I find there is less effort, more ease and exponentially more creative potential, if only I will get to a place of nothing and listen. Since I’m guessing I’m not the only one this is difficult for in our modern society, here are a few simple tips for reaching that state of nothing.
How to get to a place of nothing:
Meditate: sit as still as you can, eyes closed, hands in your lap and focus on the third eye. Set a timer for however much time you need. Some people can drop into meditation in 5 minutes. I like 20 minutes. Experiment and see what works for you. If you need a mantra to repeat in your mind, consider Ram Dass’s: “I am loving awareness.” After your body and mind begins to settle down, consciously release all effort and just be.
Walk: Sometimes, being physically still makes the mind go haywire, and the very thing we need to quiet the mind is calm movement in nature. Take yourself and/or your dog for a walk outside. Be mindful of your posture, how and where the soles of your feet touch the ground, the sounds you hear and the interplay of light and shadow around you. Take a few long, deep breaths as you walk. Ask nature what it wants you to see. Listen. The green that shows up in spring is a good reminder of our green nature when it comes to knowing nothing. It is fresh, new, ready to grow.
Drop into the body: Another way I like to quiet my mind is to drop fully into my body, to occupy it so completely that there is no room for thought. This opens space for nothing, and ultimately creativity. Dance is an excellent way to do this. Put on some music you like, ideally with no lyrics to distract you, and let your body move to the music however it wants to. Don’t make it move; let it move. Be a witness and observe yourself in motion. If dancing is not your thing, try bicycling or climbing or swimming - any activity that fully engages your body and quiets your mind.
In the spirit of this post, I will leave you now with nothing. May you forget all that you read here, clean the slate of your mind, and welcome nothingness so that there is room for the unimaginable. Who knows what creations may come through you?
