Creative people often seem to feel their work is "inspired" or channeled?

Question

While watching the movie about Bob Dylan someone mentoned this about his songwriting. Dylan himself said he didn't know where his songs came from. I have heard this from other song writers as well as artists. Have you ever had this experience? What do you think of it?

Answer 1

yes i have. when it happens it feels a little like the hands are obeying orders from the brain bypassing the awareness process.

Answer 2

Yes, how do you think I do those major surrealist works?

It's my hand, but something else is doing it.

Of that I have no doubt. it's magic, but I never question it.

I just say thank you.

I did get a big clue though....

Answer 3

Yes, ideas just pop in from no where.

Answer 4

Once I had a song come to me while driving.  I had to pull over and write the words and chords at the same time.  I almost couldn't keep up with the words.  Seriously.

I know where it came from, too.

She’s a beautiful girl,

She’s a beautiful girl.

She lights up my world,

She’s a beautiful girl,

She’s so strong —

She rides like the wind.

She’s so free —

She flies in the sky.

She’s a beautiful girl,

She’s a beautiful girl.

She’s a wonderful girl,

She’s a wonderful girl.

Looking over the world,

She’s a wonderful girl,

She’s so free —

All the things she can see.

She’s so bright —

She shines like a star.

She’s a wonderful girl,

She’s a wonderful girl.

When she came into my life,

She changed my world.

She taught me how to see.

She is a wonderful girl.

She’s a beautiful girl,

She’s a beautiful girl.

She’s my whole world.

She’s a beautiful girl.

She’s so sweet —

She’s so precious to me.

She’s still here —

She’s still in my heart.

She’s the love of my life,

— my beautiful girl.

She’s the love of my life,

— my beautiful girl.

She’s the love of my life,

— my wonderful girl.

She’s the love of my life,

— my beautiful girl.

Answer 5

Yeah,

I just wrote about that today on my lens:

http://www.squidoo.com/lovewriting

Answer 6

Yeah. I think it may possibly be something to do with entanglement. Stay groovy.

Answer 7

i understand the feeling, though i am of a mind that it all comes from one source whether we recognise that or not.,

but yes i get inspired to do certain kinds of artwork, and that is when i feel most in my element.

Answer 8

I do get that feeling. In fact I like it when that happens because I feel my work is better that way and I can look at it without bias. It does occasionally become a problem when people compliment me or discuss what it all "means", because I really don't feel like it's something I deserve compliments for or can fully explain. I think most artists get this sometimes.