Customer Reviews

Creativity and Spirituality: Bonds Between Art and Religion

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I rented this book from my university's library, intrigued by the title. Being both a highly passionate artist and a deeply spiritual person, I was immediately interested. I have always suspected that there were relations between artistic and religious acts, and author Earle J. Coleman expands on this theory, with a lot of illuminating, penetrating insight. He discusses that both art and religion involve a communication and inspiration from a divine source (possibly the same source) and that all artists and theologists should strive to remain in touch with that divinity in many ways, such as expressing your inner child (in order to be open, faithful, and nonjudgmental), being a receptive vessel for inspiration and creative energy, and setting aside shallow ego desires in order to be fully immersed in the creative/spiritual process. Coleman states that while he does not believe that art and religion are completely intertwined, he believes that the two subjects intermingle in many ways like the creative art and fables found in religions and churches, and the transformative, cathartic power of creative work. Reading this article renewed my passion and faith in my craft, as well as the enigmatic Higher Power that works through me in order to express that craft.