Ask the Author: Victor Shamas
Answered Questions (6)
Victor Shamas
March 16, 1987. I had a revelation that changed my life and served as the inspiration for "Deep Creativity." Because of this revelation, I changed fields from chemistry to psychology and moved from the Pacific Northwest to the Arizona desert to work with one of the world's leading consciousness researchers.
Two decades ago, I sat down to write "Deep Creativity" but came to the realization that I did not yet have the knowledge I needed in order to bring this project to completion. At that point, I began immersing in the creative process on a daily basis so that I could gain deeper insights into the nature of that process. Besides an explosion of productivity on my part (books, music, videos, educational materials, non-profit organizations, and global events), this decision led to some extraordinary discoveries about the inner workings of human creativity.
Two decades ago, I sat down to write "Deep Creativity" but came to the realization that I did not yet have the knowledge I needed in order to bring this project to completion. At that point, I began immersing in the creative process on a daily basis so that I could gain deeper insights into the nature of that process. Besides an explosion of productivity on my part (books, music, videos, educational materials, non-profit organizations, and global events), this decision led to some extraordinary discoveries about the inner workings of human creativity.
Victor Shamas
The need to write is like a burning sensation deep inside of me. I have this overwhelming sense that there is something needing to be expressed. It is pushing its way out of me with increasing urgency. I can only imagine that this is what labor might feel like.
Sometimes, I don't exactly know the nature of the project when I start to write. I have written books without knowing the overall structure or having a chapter outline in place. One piece falls into place, and then it reveals what the next piece will be--or at least it provides hints. I often have to be patient and receptive as different components show themselves to me. I love that process because it has an element of suspense to it, much like opening up a present. You do not know what to expect, but there is the excitement of something new and potentially delightful coming into your life.
Sometimes, I don't exactly know the nature of the project when I start to write. I have written books without knowing the overall structure or having a chapter outline in place. One piece falls into place, and then it reveals what the next piece will be--or at least it provides hints. I often have to be patient and receptive as different components show themselves to me. I love that process because it has an element of suspense to it, much like opening up a present. You do not know what to expect, but there is the excitement of something new and potentially delightful coming into your life.
Victor Shamas
I just completed a book entitled "Deep Creativity" that is the culmination of a 30-year journey. This is the book that I feel I was meant to write--the central vision and theme of my life's work. I feel a sense of completion in having written it. Although I know I have many other books in me, this is the one that makes me feel that my life is complete, that I can die peacefully one day knowing I fulfilled an important part of my mission in this life.
Here is an overview of the book:
Rather than just observe creativity in others, University of Arizona psychologist Dr. Victor Shamas decided to delve into the experience directly. Deep Creativity reveals the findings of his 30-year exploration, offering startling answers to basic questions: What is creativity? Where does it come from? How does it work? What is your creative potential? And how do you fulfill that potential? Deep Creativity turns fundamental assumptions about the creative process on their head, while offering fresh perspectives on the scientific method, fractals, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, plate tectonics, mind and consciousness, hero myths, the life cycle, sleep and dreams, mothers’ intuition, the nature of wisdom, peak experiences, and even the Gospels. The creative experience is portrayed as a bold adventure filled with passion, turmoil, inspiration, sacrifice, sheer joy, self-transcendence, and unconditional love. Deep Creativity draws insights into the creative experience from a wide range of sources, including the Beatles, Einstein, Anaïs Nin, Rumi, William Blake, Lady Gaga, Benoit Mandelbrot, Maya Angelou, Joseph Campbell, the Romantic poets, Hindu scripture, classical composers, Zen masters, and quantum physicists. Integrating art, psychology, philosophy and mysticism, Deep Creativity offers a radical new view of both the creative process and the human condition.
"Deep Creativity" is being published by Morgan James. This is the first of my books that is not self-published. While I am honored to have this book accepted by an established publishing house, I must admit that I am not used to having someone else make decisions about details such as the publication date, the book design, or cover layout. This will be a great learning experience for me, and I am excited to have it in print so that I can begin traveling to different places to share these ideas with others.
Here is an overview of the book:
Rather than just observe creativity in others, University of Arizona psychologist Dr. Victor Shamas decided to delve into the experience directly. Deep Creativity reveals the findings of his 30-year exploration, offering startling answers to basic questions: What is creativity? Where does it come from? How does it work? What is your creative potential? And how do you fulfill that potential? Deep Creativity turns fundamental assumptions about the creative process on their head, while offering fresh perspectives on the scientific method, fractals, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, plate tectonics, mind and consciousness, hero myths, the life cycle, sleep and dreams, mothers’ intuition, the nature of wisdom, peak experiences, and even the Gospels. The creative experience is portrayed as a bold adventure filled with passion, turmoil, inspiration, sacrifice, sheer joy, self-transcendence, and unconditional love. Deep Creativity draws insights into the creative experience from a wide range of sources, including the Beatles, Einstein, Anaïs Nin, Rumi, William Blake, Lady Gaga, Benoit Mandelbrot, Maya Angelou, Joseph Campbell, the Romantic poets, Hindu scripture, classical composers, Zen masters, and quantum physicists. Integrating art, psychology, philosophy and mysticism, Deep Creativity offers a radical new view of both the creative process and the human condition.
"Deep Creativity" is being published by Morgan James. This is the first of my books that is not self-published. While I am honored to have this book accepted by an established publishing house, I must admit that I am not used to having someone else make decisions about details such as the publication date, the book design, or cover layout. This will be a great learning experience for me, and I am excited to have it in print so that I can begin traveling to different places to share these ideas with others.
Victor Shamas
Everything you do as a writer must be grounded in passion. Why are you doing this? How much do you love the subject matter and the actual experience of creating? And what benefit are you seeking to derive from it? The answer to this last question is especially critical. Many years ago, when my writing was motivated by some external goal, it felt like an empty exercise. I was just stringing words together without much purpose or intention. Now, I write for myself, in order to express something that is deep inside of me, to make new discoveries, and to provide guideposts for my own journey. I gain new insights as I write, each of which helps me learn more about who I am and my relationship to this extraordinary universe of thoughts and things that surrounds and fills me.
If you want to know about the business side of writing, about how to make a career of it, I am the wrong author to consult. I know nothing about that. But I can tell you about love, joy, inspiration, the role of intuition, the importance of devotion, and the self-transcendent nature of writing. This is the realm in which I live and create. I write for myself because I never, ever know if anyone else will read my books, much less appreciate them. It turns out that what inspires me tends to touch others in a similar way. That is why I publish my writing, in the hope that someone else will derive the same kind of benefit from these books that I have.
If you want to know about the business side of writing, about how to make a career of it, I am the wrong author to consult. I know nothing about that. But I can tell you about love, joy, inspiration, the role of intuition, the importance of devotion, and the self-transcendent nature of writing. This is the realm in which I live and create. I write for myself because I never, ever know if anyone else will read my books, much less appreciate them. It turns out that what inspires me tends to touch others in a similar way. That is why I publish my writing, in the hope that someone else will derive the same kind of benefit from these books that I have.
Victor Shamas
I love to write. It took me years to discover the absolute joy of writing, but now that I have, it is one of my most cherished activities. For me, the magic of writing happens when I lose myself in the act. Hours can go by and I am unaware of anything but the clicking of the keys and the words appearing on the computer screen. When I am fully immersed in my writing, it feels as if I am reading a really great book--only this book has never been read by anyone before me. I do not consider myself the author at these moments; I am a witness to something extraordinary unfolding before my eyes. The real author has taken possession of me fully and is using me as a conduit for creative expression. The ideas, images, and insights that come through me at these moment are not really my own. They emerge from a source that is far greater than myself. I just feel blessed to be a part of this remarkable process.
Victor Shamas
Writer's block is not something I experience. Three times a day, I take a timeout from what I am doing to lie in Repose. This heightens my receptivity in ways that allow for the flow of creative ideas. I think the most effective way to deal with writer's block is to prevent it in the first place. Writing, like all creative experiences, is a dynamic interplay of total receptivity and total focus. For me, it has simply been a matter of understanding my own rhythms. Mornings are my preferred writing times because I wake up in an extremely receptive state, with an open mind and an open heart. That is when my writing just flows most naturally and effortlessly.
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