38 pages 1 hour read

Julia Cameron

The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1992

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Chapters 5-8Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 5 Summary: “Week 5: Recovering a Sense of Possibility”

Cameron reminds creatives of God’s power and generosity as a source and immediately prepares for the counterarguments that may deem this a “magic-wand chapter,” or the notion that readers can just pray and receive (92). While Cameron does believe that this “magic wand” process works, she expands the argument to state that the process of praying or meditating on what they want allows the artist to develop a clearer idea of their goals. With this clearer idea, they then move toward fulfilling these ideas through work. It’s the combination of intention and action that makes success possible, and once the artist recognizes the abundance provided by God, the scarcity mindset—where we believe only certain people are creative—doesn’t inhibit us in the same way. She tells the story of Cara, a writer who finally decided to terminate an abusive relationship with her agent. That same evening while still coming to terms with her decision and believing it may have been the end of her career, her husband revealed that the owner of a local bookstore had previously asked him if his wife had representation and gave him the card of an agent. While the situation is an excellent example of synchronicity, Cameron asserts that it is also a story about opening up to the source as a solution to creative problems.