The athelete, the jazz improviser, the therapist and poet all engage in spontaneous decision-making processes. One aspect common to all disciplines is the delicate interplay of craft and invention. While mastery of analytical details and practical skills is necessary for success in any field, innovative work seems to emerge when individuals are able to transcend conventional knowledge and invoke new ways of conceptualization and realization. Features of such states include altered perception of time, oneness with surroundings, freedom from conditioned behaviors, and extraordinary mental clarity. Through readings, discussions and creative and contemplative exercises, this course will explore the nature of and relationship between creativity and consciousness.
Participation is encouraged from a wide cross-section of the university community.
Everyone involved in this course is a member in good standing of the YOHA Course Community. YOHA stands for Year of Humanities and Arts, a special 1997-98 University of Michigan Program.