In this time of a pandemic, vanishing workplaces, violence, and difficult changes, creativity seems to be the key to survival. But how do you unlock your core creativity? Alexander, a psychotherapist and mindfulness trainer, is convinced that creativity lies within all of us and can be boosted with mindfulness practice, meditation, visualization, and simple habits. He describes some of his cases and walks readers through a series of detailed meditations meant to break through obstacles and lead to an open mind. Alexander acknowledges that even good change can be difficult, especially when change affects self-image, and readers may need to let go of the bad memories before creating the good. Alexander urges readers to seek collaborators, keep an open mind, dabble in unrelated creative fields, and follow the habits of creative people. Alexander shares the successes of some of his clients, including several recognizable names in entertainment, and speaks freely of his own journey. A concluding chapter lays out a detailed “Core Creativity Action Plan” that incorporates his meditations. Perfect for serious readers looking for a creative lift to improve their lives.
— Booklist
We each are born with gifts to deliver to this world. Creativity helps these gifts be born. Creativity is your birthright, and Alexander’s writing encourages you, your gifts, and your spirit to come alive.
— Jack Kornfield, Jack Kornfield, author of A Path with Heart
Core Creativity is a jewel box filled with ideas, resources, strategies, tools, and meditations that can help anyone who is creatively blocked to get back into the flow. Culling decades of research and transformative practices with artists of every genre, Dr. Ronald Alexander has created this guide full of engaging stories and quotations from highly creative people that will inspire you to let go of any fears or insecurities preventing you from reaching your creative heights.
— Diane Poole Heller, PhD, author, “The Power of Attachment” and “Healing Your Attachment Wounds”, and creator, DARe
In Core Creativity, Alexander shows us how to live a more creative life and to regain our creativity if we’ve lost it. He clearly explains meditative practices and a variety of other practices that have led to creative breakthroughs in his own life and that of his clients. I recommend this book to all who would like to gain the psychological, physical, and career benefits of living a more creative life.
— Carl Greer, PhD, PsyD, author, “Change Your Story, Change Your Life”
In this superb book, Dr. Ronald Alexander is your trusted guide who will help awaken the magic of your creativity that has always been within you. I wholeheartedly recommend Core Creativity. Give yourself the gift of reading this book! Dr. Alexander teaches you to release old beliefs and become a mindful explorer of your mind, imagination, heart, and soul.
— Judith Orloff, MD, author, “The Empath’s Survival Guide”
Drawing on years of in-depth experience working with creative artists, Dr. Alexander skillfully shows us how to get out of our own way and connect with our inner muse. His step-by-step, engaging, practical guide effectively blends insights from ancient wisdom traditions with contemporary scientific research. The result is a toolkit of clearly presented exercises anyone can use not only to find inner inspiration, but to become richly productive in the outer world.
— Ronald D. Siegel, PsyD, part-time assistant professor of psychology, Harvard Medical School, and author, “The Extraordinary Gift of Being Ordinary: Finding Happiness Right Where You Are”
Core Creativity is a terrific read! If you are looking to break through to new depths of creativity in your life, relationships, or work, then this book is the guide you’ve been looking for. In this wonderful book Dr. Alexander integrates the fields of neuroscience, positive psychology, and mindfulness with illuminating interviews with highly creative people from the fine arts and music to film and acting. Core Creativity provides both a toolbox and blueprint to show you how to uncover your inner core creativity and then manifest new creative dreams and outcomes.
— Ken Dychtwald, PhD, psychologist, gerontologist, author of “BODYMIND”, “Age Wave” and “Radical Curiosity”, and CEO of Age Wave
Improve your mind strength! A renowned expert in mindfulness, Dr. Ronald Alexander provides an essential guide for awakening creativity, a subject previously ignored in academic psychology. Practical and easy to read. Readily applicable. The keys to unlocking your creative potentials can be found within.
— Jeffrey K. Zeig, PhD, The Milton H. Erickson Foundation
This book inspires us to meet our moments with openhearted presence and tap the full aliveness and creativity of our being.
— Tara Brach, author of “Trusting the Gold”
Ronald Alexander has spent 5 decades working with some of the most creative people in existence, and he’s finally drawn together all that’s he’s learned (and all that he’s taught) into a terrific book in Core Creativity: The Mindful Way to Unlock Your Creative Self. In it, he shows how anyone can achieve breakthroughs in creativity by implementing practices used by highly creative people. It’s well worth the read!
— Ken Wilber, founder of Integral Institute, author “Integral Psychology” and “Sex, Ecology and Spirituality”, and “The Collected Works”, transpersonal psychologist, and philosopher
We all know that pursuing our creativity can drive us out of our minds and that there are tests and ordeals at every stage of the game. Core Creativity is full of useful tips, practical skills you can learn, and practice that will assist you in living your creativity, getting things done, and maintaining your physical and emotional health as you give your gift to the world.
— Lorin Roche, author of “The Radiance Sutras” and coauthor of “Meditation Secrets for Women”
Core Creativity is a marvelous help to channel your innate creative energy and realize your fullest potential. It gives you the right tools to create a blend of positive calm, insight, and courage to overcome creative blocks and exercise a more unbridled mind and life.
— Elisha Goldstein, PhD, Author of Uncovering Happiness
In the pages of Core Creativity, Ronald Alexander proves that it is never too late to tap into your creative instincts. It is a deeply researched guide to developing habits to uncover our natural resources. He provides exercises and a plan to help steer the way to a new view of life and opportunities.
— Sharon Salzberg, author of “Lovingkindness” and “Real Change”
Ron Alexander is a brilliant student of psychology and spirituality, which gives him an auspicious capacity to kick-start or restart others in tickling their creative imagination out of hiding. For anyone wishing professional or personal transformation, Core Creativity is here for you—so hey, open it up and get started. Let’s dream up what to do with ourselves—and set aside any roadblocks!
— Edward Espe Brown, zen priest, author of “The Tassajara Bread Book” and “No Recipe”, and editor of “Not Always So”
Many of us are facing changes that challenge us to go beyond the limitations of ordinary consciousness and draw from a deeper well of creativity than we have in the past. Core Creativity’s exercises and strategies can help anyone release the fear that holds them back from transformation. Ronald Alexander’s book is an invaluable guide for dreaming a new dream and bringing into being a new vision.
— Alberto Villoldo, PhD, author of “Shaman, Healer Sage” and “Grow a New Body”
Core Creativity has infused my heart with fresh inspiration and courage. Ronald’s wise and caring voice can guide you to begin, sustain, or complete the creative project you’ve been dreaming about—plus, as he helps you nurture your creativity, you’ll develop healthier habits for your whole life in the process. Ronald’s loving counsel is enlivened by real-life stories from his vast experience as a clinician and mindfulness teacher. If you want to unleash or enhance your unique creativity, read this book!
— Trudy Goodman, PhD, founder and head dharma teacher of Insight LA, and cofounder of the Institute of Meditation and Psychotherapy
Core Creativity reveals the secret sauce of creativity and how it is accessible to everyone. Dr. Alexander shares in simple and clear language how creativity can be powerfully birthed. His mindfulness meditations are accessible and designed to generate creative breakthroughs. This book is a gem and I will be recommending it often!
— Corey Lyon Folsom, relationship coach
Through stories, research, and unique meditations, Core Creativity beautifully shows us that it is not only the talented artists we admire but within each of us is the same gift of natural creativity. In this important and timely book, Ronald Alexander gives us the psychological tools and meditative practices to help us overcome our blocks and access our own creative flow. If you want help to rediscover your creative joy this is the place to start. Highly recommended!
— Loch Kelly, MDiv, LCSW, author of “The Way of Effortless Mindfulness”