I believe the answers to our creative ways lie in our subconscious minds. I also believe there is no specific formula or answer to being creative or to access this abundant inner wisdom. As writers, we need to choose ways that inspire and motivate, that resonate deep within. My intention for this article is to invite you to read about ways to access your subconscious mind that have helped me and that have helped my students. After 15 years of teaching, I confidently recommend that as you read, choose what chooses you. Stay true to your first initial feeling and instinct.

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What follows are 7 suggestions to help tap you into the creative process by accessing your subconscious mind:

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1. Write down the answer to this question in a notebook: Why do I write? Be very specific. My answer is this: I write to express emotion, to find peace and clarity in experience, to share my experiences with others, and to create ideas on paper that meet and exceed my wildest imaginings.

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2. Do these quotes from The Power of Your Subconscious Mind, by Joseph Murphy stir emotion? If so, seek this book out.

     A. "Partners who love each other do not do anything unloving or unkind in word, manner, or action. Love is what love does."

     B. "Charge your subconscious with the task of evolving an answer to any problem, prior to sleep, and it will answer you."

     C. "Knowing the laws of your subconscious mind, you will always be supplied regardless of what form money takes."

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3. Answer this question: What is the most beautiful music you can think of to listen to right now? Listen to this music lying silently in your bed and choose lighting that comforts you or no lighting at all. Close your eyes. Shut off your cell phone. You are only available for yourself during this time. Lie still in any way you feel comfortable and simply listen. Become one with this music. Listen carefully to the voice, the instruments, and then transition from listening, to feeling. Breathe music. Breathe the inspiration that surrounds this music. Breathe the love, beauty, and joy of music. I listen to Sigur Ros, Sarah Mclachlan, and Dead Can Dance and many others. I listen for at least 30 minutes and every time, I feel renewed, refreshed, and invigorated when I "come out" of this meditation.

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4. Be with nature. Observe nature. Be still with nature. Remember your childhood, when nature comforted, when nature inspired you to be playful, when nature excited you. Think about how nature transcends and moves. How nature withstands. Notice the smallest details of nature. Quiet your mind and learn from the wisdom of nature.

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5. Buy a card deck and do readings for yourself. I use Animal Messages by Susie Green and Healing With The Angels Oracle Cards by Doreen Virtue.

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6. Go to a toy store and spend money on toys that excite you. Take them home and play with them. Access the child within without judgement. Embrace playfulness.

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7. Create affirmations around trust, self-love, gratitude, health, abundance, creativity. Use strong and powerful words. Write your own affirmations. Think about tense and using words and phrases that raise your frequency. Use words and phrases like empower, ignite, spark, flow, ease, authentic, genuine, in the heart of my being, all is well, meeting and exceeding my wildest imaginings, in perfect timing, I am physically and emotionally safe; a book that has helped me tremendously and one I highly recommend is My Miracle Manifestation Manual by Jacquelyn Aldana.

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Like I said before, the answers to our creative ways lie in our subconscious minds. Think about musicians, writers, dancers, artists, and other creative people. What do we have in common? We are part of each other, connected, yes, but we also share something sacred and powerful that lies within us and are all on a path, a journey in this life to access it: Inner wisdom, inner knowing, secrets to love, life, and happiness. Once we decide to nurture this part of ourselves, true knowing, related to the creative process, follows.

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Thanks for reading JWorld Café, the Poetica Magazine Blog

Jody Helfand, Guest Blogger

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Jody Helfand has over 50 publications in poetry and prose. He has an MFA in Creative Writing and an MA in English and has been teaching English and writing for over 15 years. His first book of poems, Places Male And Female, can be found on http://www.poeticapublishing.com/ . His second book, But How Did They Live?, about the Holocaust, will be published in February 2011. Visit his website at http://www.jodyrosehelfand.com/ . - Linda Pressman, Blog Editor