The Moment You Realize You’re Not Creating Alone

In this rich returning conversation, artist and former creative director Jason McDonald shares the lived spiritual practices that shape his creative process. From studying Buddhist philosophy and living alongside monks in India and Thailand to completing a three-month silent retreat, Jason describes an ongoing “excavation of self” that continues to deepen his sensitivity as an artist.

We explore how his work is guided by a felt relationship with what he calls the creative field of intelligence — a living energetic presence that can inform artistic decisions beyond planning or technique. Jason speaks about entering a listening state while working, sometimes responding intuitively to subtle energetic impressions, and at other times following precise inner prompts that guide geometric forms and compositional structure. For him, the orientation toward something sacred allows artistic expression to become a conveyance of truth, goodness, and beauty in culture.

Our dialogue also reflects on the idea that the artist’s sensitivity is not simply personal but relational. Through presence, humility, and a willingness to move beyond ego-driven control, creative work can become a partnership with a deeper intelligence. We discuss his evolving concept of “levity energies,” the importance of listening to the field rather than focusing on materials or outcomes, and the role artists can play in transmitting inspiration in a complex world.

The conversation closes with reflections on parables, storytelling, and shared spiritual inquiry — exploring how creative language and symbolic imagery can help people remember an inner connection they may have forgotten. Ultimately, this episode is about meeting one another in sensitivity and discovering how artistic practice can become a reverential exchange with the intelligence that moves through all of life.

Want to learn more about CJ Miller? Check out his Spiritual Artist Retreats, 1:1 Personal Coaching, and Speaking Engagements at www.spiritualartisttoday.com. His retreats are designed to help you reconnect with your Creative Intelligence and express your true artistic voice. You can also find his upcoming schedule there, and his book, The Spiritual Artist, is available on Amazon.