Creativity, Spirituality, and Transcendence

This collection of papers has been developed by an interdisciplinary group of contributors. They present a variety of new perspectives on creativity, spirituality, and transcendence as experienced in adulthood. The discussions in this volume, address the interplay of variables from theoretical, experimental, and clinical vantage points. This book is written for academic and clinical audiences, as well as for those who are interested in-and wrestle with-unexpressed aspects of their own creativity and spiritual yearnings. Unlike the current cognitive trend in creativity research that seeks rational and biological explanations for human phenomena, these essays give consideration to the power of extraordinary sources of inspiration. The research and theoretically based articles presented make a captivating collection that challenges our thinking about what it means to be a creative adult striving toward personal integrity and wisdom at the dawn of the 21st century.

Figures and TablesPrefaceIntroduction: Creativity in Adulthood: Personal Maturity and Openness to Extraordinary Sources of Inspiration, Susanne R. Cook-Greuter & Melvin E. MillerPart I: Creative Process, Inspiration, and the Muse in Writing and CompositionCreative Writing as a Spiritual Practice: Two Paths, Christopher G. EdwardsThe Dark Side of Creativity: The Function of Duende and God-Battler in the Writings of Garcia Lorca and Kazantzakis, Verbena PastorLimitations to Artistic Creativity: Joseph Conrad's The Secret Sharer, Carl Goldberg Inspired Creativity, Joel FunkPart II: Personal Transformation and IntegrityEthical Self, Spiritual Self: Wisdom and Integrity in the Writings of Erik H. Erikson, Carol H. HoareEdith Kramer-Artist and Art Therapist: A Search for Integrity and Truth, Melvin E. Miller & Susanne R. Cook-GreaterHealing Images: Art and Meditation in Recovery from Cancer, John J. McKennaPart III: Theoretical Approaches and ReflectionsScientist and Artist within the Mature Self: The Integration of Two Worlds, Ernest Zebrowski, Jr.Major Creative Innovators as Viewed Through the Lens of the General Model of Hierarchical Complexity and Evolution , Michael Lamport Commons and Linda Marie BresetteLifelong Learning and the Good Life: Reconceiving Adult Education for Development, Stephanie Glass-Solomon & Cheryl ArmonThe Transpersonal Orientation as a Framework for Understanding Adult Development and Creative Processes, Marcie BoucouvalasAbout the EditorsAbout the ContributorsAuthor IndexSubject Index