What is Soul-Led Creativity? (5 Prompts to Get Started)

Ensoulment means infusing something with a Soul – giving life to something beautiful, meaningful, and precious. 

And I can see no better way of doing that than through the sacred path of creativity.

Yes, creativity is sacred. Creativity itself is a spiritual path or what is known as the via creativa (path of creativity). 

Creativity is also how we grow, heal, integrate, and give back to the world.

We are all creators, whether we know or believe it or not. 

Your mind, which dreams up infinite possibilities, your words which weave realities, and your actions which manifest your inner world, are all expressions of the Divine creative force.

Based on various spiritual traditions, we can call this creative force Shakti, Tao, Prana, Chi, the Holy Spirit, the Muse, and Spirit.

We all have access to this energy as it is the animating life force within and without us – the same spark that pumps the human heart, moves the wind, creates galaxies, and forms mountains. 

As a spiritual wanderer, I’ve always been drawn toward the path of creativity. It has saved my sanity more times than I can count, supporting me through the depths of darkness and the heights of joy.

It’s for this reason that I wanted to write more about the practice of ensoulment and, more specifically, Soul-led creativity today.

This is a sacred path that has not only resulted in the birth and nurturance of this website, but it has also helped me to heal in more ways than I can count.

If you’re feeling a bit lost or pathless right now, I’m going to give you a few basic ideas on how to make Soul-led creativity more present in your life.

Soul-Led Creativity (Ensoulment) & the Spiritual Wanderer’s Journey – The Benefits

As I mentioned above, creativity – and in particular, Soul-led creativity – is how we grow, heal, integrate, and give back to the world.

Spiritual wanderers and lone wolf characters have always been drawn to creativity as a spiritual path.

Just look at examples like William Blake, Simone Weil, Carl Jung, Emily Dickinson, and Walt Whitman. All of these people engaged in some form of creative Soul expression.

I bet there’s a strong chance that if you’re here reading this right now, you’re an artist, innovator, or creator at heart. It may even be a strong part of your identity or a deeper calling in this life.

Regardless of whether you see yourself in this light or not, Soul-led creativity is beneficial at any and all stages of the spiritual wanderer’s journey of awakening.

Here’s why. Putting your Soul into creating something helps you to … 

• Feel more grounded
• Serve as a practical form of ‘Soul retrieval‘
• Find more sanity when times are dark
• Express your inner thoughts and feelings in a satisfying way
• Process difficult traumas and wounds
• Understand your psyche and unconscious mind better
• Feel more relaxed, centered, and at peace
• Integrate what you’ve learned 
• Rediscover a feeling of meaning/purpose
• Release trapped or blocked energy
• Connect with your inner child
• Open your heart
• Self-actualize your gifts
• Hear the voice of your Soul
• Learn important lessons
• Feel like you’re meaningfully giving back
• Discover a sense of inner completion and fulfillment

I’d say this is just the tip of the iceberg – ensoulment is a path that enriches every aspect of life. Take it from someone that has been doing this for many years.

Soul-Led Creativity as the Way Forward (When You’re Wondering “What’s Next?”)

Ensoulment – the path of Soul-led creative self-expression – is what helps us during the final two stages of the spiritual wanderer’s journey, which are rebirth and integration.

If you’ve been doing a lot of healing inner work and are now wondering “what’s next?” this is what’s next.

All the greatest wisdom teachers through the ages found some form of Soul-led creativity to give back to this planet. 

Just look at Lao Tzu and his timeless Tao Te Ching, Buddha and his eightfold path, and Mother Teresa and her Missionaries of Charity congregation. 

There are so many others I could name, like Helena Blavatsky and her theosophical society, the writings and music of mystic Hildegard of Bingen, Jesus and his gospel, and many others. 

The key here is to understand that creativity comes in many shapes and forms. 

You don’t need to start painting huge masterpieces if your Soul doesn’t resonate with them. Neither do you need to do anything traditionally “artsy” if that’s not your disposition. 

Just look at nature, the very embodiment of creativity. It is infinitely varied. The point here is not to try to be a flower if you’re a cactus. Don’t try to be a rock if you’re a snowflake. 

Find what shape your Soul wants to take in this world.

How to Practice Soul-Led Creativity 

There are many lengthy tangents I could take, but I want to make this direct and to the point. The main ingredients are:

1. Openness to try new paths
2. Discernment to tune out external input and listen to your inner voice
3. Courage to “fail” (aka., have awkward but necessary learning experiences) and to be seen publicly
4. Humility to change course or direction where necessary
5. Commitment to dedicate daily time to your creative path (yes, daily)
6. Self-awareness to know what you need to say, do, or express; to have a vision
7. Yin yang balance of the mind and heart working in unison toward the same goal

If you’d like me to explore any of these elements of Soul-led creativity more in the future, let me know below in the comments.

But again, I want to reiterate that Soul-led creativity can come in many varieties.

Here are some examples:

• Writing fiction, non-fiction, poetry
• Drawing/painting
• Creating videos
• Making music
• Starting a blog/vlog
• Tending a garden
• Hosting a community event
• Developing a philosophy of life
• Dancing
• Raising conscious children
• Creating a theory or thesis
• Making an app
• Baking or making food
• Interior designing
• Running a Soul-led business

Can you think of more examples to share below? There are some more examples in my ensoulment article.

The point here is that Soul-led creativity is not mind or ego-centered creativity which looks for validation, accolades, and status.

Soul-led creativity comes from the depths of our being. It is a form of self-actualization, self-fulfillment, and spiritual accomplishment.

Soul-led creativity heals, expands, opens, and unifies our inner and outer worlds – it is the unique form of magic we give back to the world.

It is our humble spiritual legacy, our contribution to humanity.

To help you get started, here are a few reflective journaling prompts to meditate on:

• How does your Soul yearn to express itself? Notice what first pops into your mind and take note, even if it sounds wild, “unachievable,” or outlandish.
• Identify what would need to change in your daily routine to include space for more Soul-led creativity. What old habits or unfulfilling uses of your time can you replace?
• What is the difference between your ego’s desire to create and your Soul’s desire to create? Name three major differences.
• What lessons or wisdom does your Soul wish to share with others? Describe them in as much detail as you can.
• What would be the best way to express or share the wisdom you’ve gained through hard-earned life experiences?
• If you could leave behind a creative Soul-led legacy in this world, what would that look like (no matter how big or small)? Don’t be shy. Let your imagination roam wild! Then reflect deeply on what you’ve written.

These are just a few basic questions, but they can open up worlds of insight. See what comes up for you!

***

So, what are your thoughts about this topic? What does Soul-led creativity mean to you? If you have any questions, let me know below.

And again, if you want me to explore this further, the only way I can gauge interest is via the comments below. So let me know what aspect you’d like me to explore, and I’ll take note. ;)