The Map of Your Mind: Journeys Into Creative Expression

By Maureen Jennings

As a writer and psychotherapist, Maureen Jennings has long believed deeply in the need for creative expression. Life is a hot issue, she points out, and we all need some place to express ourselves. Some people seem to be able to do that effortlessly, but for many of us there are "stoppers," nagging, internal voices that say things like "Whatever makes you think you are creative?" Jennings reminds us that being creative isn't reserved for the talented few, nor is it limited to writing and art. We all start out in the same way, full of life and curiosity, but somewhere along the line we often lose track of that part of ourselves, and spend our lives longing to get it back. The Map of Your Mind, full of common-sense advice and encouragement, is intended as a guide into the creative self. Here are suggestions for equipment, for ways of training yourself to be open to what goes on around you, as well as a program of timed and graduated excercises (mostly written) to be worked through alone or, preferably, with a group of friends. She includes examples from her own groups of what various members have done with each of the excercises. She also encourages you to throw out all expectations, urging you instead to simply allow yourself to come alive and explore your creative self. As a therapist, she also knows how this can help you to know and accept your own uniqueness. As the leader of many groups that explore creative expression, she also knows how support can help. Whether you already make your living in the arts, or whether you just want to satisfy that old, nagging yearning, this book is a practical, encouraging, and trustworthy guide into creative expression. In the tradition of bestselling authors Julia Cameron (The Artist's Way and Veins of Gold) and Natalie Goldberg (Writing Down the Bones and Wild Mind) There is real hunger in people to explore their creativity Maureen Jennings is eminently qualified to advise on creative exploration

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0771043988
• ISBN13: 9780771043987
• Release Date: May 2001
• Publisher: McClelland & Stewart
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 1.07 lbs.

Customer Reviews

If you liked the Artists Way, you'll love this

Maureen Jennings has written a book based upon her years of conducting creative expression groups. The exercises are designed to get your creative juices going. There are samples of creative writing from people who have attended her groups over the past few years. This is the most user friendly of all the books in the genre out there. A welcome addition to the genre.