A few years ago I read the Architecture of all Abundance by Lenedra Carroll. Although this book had a profound impact on me at the time, one line, however, would prove to be somewhat life altering even beyond the scope of an already amazing story.

I was working on a recording project when it was recalled and I kid you not, it was like one of those skies parting moments, when everything changes and angels speak. It hit me like a ton of bricks crashing down on my head, leaving me in dumbfounded confusion, as I sat face to face with my own unconscious resistance to the word artist…

Remember that you are an artist.

The Resistance

Why would I have a problem with this word? I wondered. I’ve always loved artists…and in fact, spent a lot of time working with them. I questioned what this was really all about as I followed the trail further back through time.

A part of me began to speak through my memories. My youngest of watching and being attracted to singers and performers on television as a child, then there was the strong link to music when I was a teenager and how I used it as an extension of my own voice, onto actually working within the music industry as an adult in which I witnessed others use it as an extension of their souls.

I started to notice my pattern with both the written and recorded form of the arts. I could see how deeply connected I was to these artistic expressions and how I admired those who had the skills and talents to create in this way. At the same time I was able to look at my own past attempts at expressing myself in these mediums. The reason why I failed to bring this aspect of myself into the world was perfectly clear…I had never considered myself an artist.

I could acknowledge it in others but not within myself…without this form of inner permission I was seriously impeding my ability to create…not only in an art way…but in any way at all.

Learning to Embrace My Inner Artist

The revelation came as I began to prepare my audio project for iTunes. There in the artist box was my name. I sat in my chair with the quote from Lenedra’s book flowing inside my mind and in one great ah-ha moment…I felt, I knew…that this was true.

Breathing into it deeply, I allowed the word artist to move with my breath into the depths of my being, permeating my every cell with it’s higher level meaning and creating within it, a wonderful vehicle for the movement of my soul.

The Art of Life

So why was it so important for me to be able to call myself an artist?

An artist is able to surrender completely to the energy of creation which is always flowing between a state of contraction and release.

An artist aligns themselves with that flow, channels it and uses it to create new solutions, reroute their current path and overcome limitations.

This ability to become fluid in perspective, identity and context aligns them with a deep universal truth.

The keys to freedom, and the way to unlocking our own prison doors lies in matching our nature to Nature.

Our egoic tendencies trigger resistance as we attempt to keep ourselves separate from the totality…our true selves recognize that we ARE the totality…and that all we really ever need to do is tap into that and flow.

These qualities are something that each and everyone of us is here to express. Your artistic or creative side is an important part of yourself to integrate regardless of who you are or what you do as it will often determine how you show up for life.

Questions to Ask Yourself

How close are you to being able to acknowledge your own inner artist?

If you’ve not yet done so, what stops you?

If you found some kind of fear, ask yourself what holding onto that is getting for you?

And as always, feel free to share your results and experiences

Image Credit

Below is an interview I conducted with Cliff gathering his perspective on music and the spiritual journey:

PK: Would you call music a medium for your spiritual journey?

Cliff Rubin: Absolutely, but then I consider all aspects of my life a medium for my spiritual journey. My music can only speak the truth that the rest of my life resonates. My true art is life itself. I believe being the healing presence, whether playing music, buying groceries or hanging with loved ones, expresses my art in every moment.

PK: How do you connect with others through your songs?

Cliff Rubin: The heart of my spiritual journey is looking for the good (GOD) in everything, every moment. I speak to that journey in all of my songs; taking on individual aspects in each of them, always reaching for the deepest way to express that god presence. Whether I’m singing about raising kids (Love Is Knowing You), loving our partners (It’s Her Smile), learning what’s truly important (Uh Oh), nuturing our dreams (Dreamers and Children), or we’re the ones that give our moments meaning (Life’s A Mystery), I’m speaking to a deeper place in all of us, communicating to the divine directly.

PK: What drove you to start putting your spiritual insights to music?

Cliff Rubin: The need to stay honest with what is most important in my life, which is my spiritual journey and expressing that through my art.

PK: What do you see happening in your life as a result?

Cliff Rubin: Integrity rates very high with me, so it’s a constant reminder to walk my talk.

PK: What gift do you hope to give to others through this style of
writing?

Cliff Rubin: Healing, and a chance to connect a little deeper with their own spiritual journey.

Cliff Rubin – A Positive Music Experience
www.cliffrubinmusic.com