A Long-Form Collaboration with the Universe...

Yes. This book by the "legendary music producer," Rick Rubin: "The Creative Act: A Way of Being," is a good read. Anyone "being creative," which includes all of us, will get something from it. It is a philosophical/spiritual tract, a manifesto, an long-form essay, a unargumentative argument for being a Creative Being & Being Creative. Rick makes the case that we are here to manifest ourselves in collaboration with the Universe. When we create anything, a conversation, a building, a novel, a song, whatever, we are dipping into the Source, and bringing that inspiration forward into the world, and that work is, as I like to say, "the good work," work, a process, that gives our lives meaning & purpose. Rubin delves deep into the subject, and shines a light on all the angles. It's a pretty definitive discussion of the subject and shows the way creativity ebbs & flows. It's a bit of a "how-to," but it's put forward as a long-form suggestion, "take what you need, and leave the rest." I took most of it in. Most of the book totally resonates with my own experience. For me there were no great surprises, I feel like I have "lived this book," throughout my very own long-form, creative journey; writing stories, poems, plays, putting on plays, performing, directing, and then making songs, organizing bands, rehearsing, performing & recording. It's a way of Life. The best kind. So, yes, for me this is quite the validating book. Rubin also brings a Zen-like quality to his Life & writing, that kind of spiritual practice shines through every sentence. Yes. And his dedication to meditation hits home too. I too use it in my creative practice. Anyway, I do recommend the book, to pretty much anyone. My only little quibble, this kind of all encompassing, grand vision seems a little too neat, I retreat to the shadows, I like to keep my creative process a bit mysterious, & organic. I am always trying to get out of my head & into another realm, the realm of pure creativity. Rick dances around that too. Still, the book is quite magnificent in it's own way.