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Seeking Wisdom
Julia Cameron returns to the spiritual roots of the Artist’s Way in this 6-week Program
Author Julia Cameron changed the way the world thinks about creativity when she first published The Artist’s A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity thirty years ago. Over five million copies later, Cameron now turns her attention to creative prayer, which she believes is a key facet of the creative life. In Seeking Wisdom , a 6 Week Artist’s Way Program, readers, too, will learn to pray.
Tracing her own creative journey, Cameron reveals that prayer led her forward at a time of personal crisis. Unexpectedly, prayer became an indispensable support to her artistic life. The tools she created to save herself in her darkest hour became the tools she would share with the world through The Artist's Way . Seeking Wisdom details the origin of these tools, and by Cameron's example, the central role that prayer plays in sustaining a life as an artist.
In this volume, Cameron shares a mindful collection of prayer practices that open our creative souls. This path takes us beyond traditional religious rituals, welcoming readers regardless of their beliefs and backgrounds. As you journey through each week of the program you’ll explore prayers of petition, gratitude, creativity, and more. Along the way, the three beloved tools of The Artist’s Way ―Morning Pages, Artist Dates, and Walks―are refreshed and reintroduced, to provide a proven, grounded framework for growth and development.
Additionally, Cameron introduces a fourth tool, Writing Out Guidance. She believes this powerful practice will greatly aid aspiring artists.
Seeking Wisdom issues an invitation to step further into exciting creative practice.
Author Julia Cameron changed the way the world thinks about creativity when she first published The Artist’s A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity thirty years ago. Over five million copies later, Cameron now turns her attention to creative prayer, which she believes is a key facet of the creative life. In Seeking Wisdom , a 6 Week Artist’s Way Program, readers, too, will learn to pray.
Tracing her own creative journey, Cameron reveals that prayer led her forward at a time of personal crisis. Unexpectedly, prayer became an indispensable support to her artistic life. The tools she created to save herself in her darkest hour became the tools she would share with the world through The Artist's Way . Seeking Wisdom details the origin of these tools, and by Cameron's example, the central role that prayer plays in sustaining a life as an artist.
In this volume, Cameron shares a mindful collection of prayer practices that open our creative souls. This path takes us beyond traditional religious rituals, welcoming readers regardless of their beliefs and backgrounds. As you journey through each week of the program you’ll explore prayers of petition, gratitude, creativity, and more. Along the way, the three beloved tools of The Artist’s Way ―Morning Pages, Artist Dates, and Walks―are refreshed and reintroduced, to provide a proven, grounded framework for growth and development.
Additionally, Cameron introduces a fourth tool, Writing Out Guidance. She believes this powerful practice will greatly aid aspiring artists.
Seeking Wisdom issues an invitation to step further into exciting creative practice.
240 pages, Paperback
Published January 11, 2022
195 people are currently reading
2993 people want to read
About the author
Julia Cameron
102 books2,282 followersJulia Cameron has been an active artist for more than thirty years, with fifteen books (including bestsellers The Artist's Way, Walking In This World and The Right to Write) and countless television, film, and theater scripts to her credit. Writing since the age of 18, Cameron has a long list of screenplay and teleplay credits to her name, including an episode of Miami Vice, and Elvis and the Beauty Queen, which starred Don Johnson. She was a writer on such movies as Taxi Driver, New York, New York, and The Last Waltz. She wrote, produced, and directed the award-winning independent feature film, God's Will, which premiered at the Chicago International Film Festival, and was selected by the London Film Festival, the Munich International Film Festival, and Women in Film Festival, among others. In addition to making film, Cameron has taught film at such diverse places as Chicago Filmmakers, Northwestern University, and Columbia College. Her profound teachings on unlocking creativity and living from the creative center have inspired countless artists to unleash their full potential.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
October 2, 2021
Interesting and eye opening. "Non traditional" guide with perspectives and practices that could be viewed as new agey, but I tend to like learning different ways of thinking or living no matter what. A lot of us absolutely need to reconnect with ourselves on a deeper more magical level. Especially empathic and highly sensitive people more than ever need something like this. It's an easy guide to follow and worth a try. It may not be for everyone, but anyone open to the wonderful world of woo can appreciate Julia's guidance and compassion for empowering other people.
September 24, 2021
As a longtime fan of Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way," I eagerly welcomed Cameron's latest effort "Seeking Wisdom: A Spiritual Path to Creative Connection."
The book is a six-week program largely grounded upon "The Artist's Way" with a specific focus on prayer and its relationship to one's expression of creativity.
As someone who is both a minister and a creative type, "Seeking Wisdom" feels like a natural fit for me and how I live my life.
However, sometimes a book just doesn't click. For me, "Seeking Wisdom" just never quite clicked as I simply couldn't find Cameron's unique rhythm and could never quite immerse myself in the world she's trying to create with "Seeking Wisdom."
"Seeking Wisdom" isn't a bad book. It's a book, perhaps, best suited for those relatively new toward viewing life and creativity through a more spiritual lens and learning how to tie that lens into their creative lives. As I already do this quite easily, "Seeking Wisdom" felt incredibly fundamental and almost paint-by-numbers.
"Seeking Wisdom" kicks off with Cameron's own personal reflections about her early days of creativity and how it was really seeking sobriety that triggered her exploration of spirituality and its tie to creativity. Instead of experiencing a creative decline as she reached for sobriety, Cameron discovered the opposite and found that her creative life, specifically her writing, began to be expressed in new and exciting ways.
From this discussion, "Seeking Wisdom" immediately leaps into Cameron's six-week program with each week devoted to simple exercises around prayer, spiritual exploration, and Cameron's well known Morning Pages, Artist's Dates, and Walks. Rather than offering a formal structure, "Seeking Wisdom" is mostly organized around Cameron's personal reflections and a series of "Try This" opportunities she introduces throughout the book along with chapter-ending check-ins.
Cameron's approach to prayer and spirituality is rather open. She intentionally widens the spiritual lens here and seems to be very intentional about not necessarily revealing her own specific path or if she even has one. She's very clear that spirituality is at the center of who she is - she simply doesn't necessarily define an organized expression of that spirituality. This works incredibly well for the book at times, though there are other times when the book's language feels overly ambiguous and, well, more than a bit airy-fairy.
Cameron's first three weeks largely center themselves around "types" of prayers. The final three chapters build upon this basic knowledge and more fully pursue applicability and immersion in prayer. I will confess I didn't always resonate with Cameron's views on prayer and found them, more specifically, a little too self-centered rather than God or Higher Power-centered. Prayer, for me, is more about relationship with God - it is in that relationship that creativity becomes fully expressed. As written in "Seeking Wisdom," prayer feels less about relationship and more about personal manifestation.
I simply don't resonate with that at all.
I found much of "Seeking Wisdom" centered upon Cameron herself. While many of Cameron's stories certainly connect to her teachings here, I found myself often wanting more "spiritual path" and less "personal story." I'm honestly not even sure I'd say that "spiritual path" is an accurate way to fully describe this program as it is nearly entirely grounded upon prayer which is, of course, only one aspect or expression of spirituality. While "Seeking Wisdom" offers many wonderful "Try This" moments, I found they didn't always have a natural flow that then led to creative connection.
Overall, it may seem as if I'm particularly low on "Seeking Wisdom." This isn't really accurate. I will admit that I find myself disappointed, an unexpected resulted considering this is an author who's long influenced my creative life. It's more that "Seeking Wisdom" still feels like a work-in-progress and there were times I found myself thinking to myself "Julia, get out of your own way here." There are times that "Seeking Wisdom" feels overly intellectual when it needs to surrender more to spirituality.
There will be, no doubt, those who resonate greatly with "Seeking Wisdom" and who will view Cameron's six-week program and it's familiar structure and guided moments with a friendlier lens. Indeed, there's most certainly an audience for "Seeking Wisdom."
I'm simply not it.
The book is a six-week program largely grounded upon "The Artist's Way" with a specific focus on prayer and its relationship to one's expression of creativity.
As someone who is both a minister and a creative type, "Seeking Wisdom" feels like a natural fit for me and how I live my life.
However, sometimes a book just doesn't click. For me, "Seeking Wisdom" just never quite clicked as I simply couldn't find Cameron's unique rhythm and could never quite immerse myself in the world she's trying to create with "Seeking Wisdom."
"Seeking Wisdom" isn't a bad book. It's a book, perhaps, best suited for those relatively new toward viewing life and creativity through a more spiritual lens and learning how to tie that lens into their creative lives. As I already do this quite easily, "Seeking Wisdom" felt incredibly fundamental and almost paint-by-numbers.
"Seeking Wisdom" kicks off with Cameron's own personal reflections about her early days of creativity and how it was really seeking sobriety that triggered her exploration of spirituality and its tie to creativity. Instead of experiencing a creative decline as she reached for sobriety, Cameron discovered the opposite and found that her creative life, specifically her writing, began to be expressed in new and exciting ways.
From this discussion, "Seeking Wisdom" immediately leaps into Cameron's six-week program with each week devoted to simple exercises around prayer, spiritual exploration, and Cameron's well known Morning Pages, Artist's Dates, and Walks. Rather than offering a formal structure, "Seeking Wisdom" is mostly organized around Cameron's personal reflections and a series of "Try This" opportunities she introduces throughout the book along with chapter-ending check-ins.
Cameron's approach to prayer and spirituality is rather open. She intentionally widens the spiritual lens here and seems to be very intentional about not necessarily revealing her own specific path or if she even has one. She's very clear that spirituality is at the center of who she is - she simply doesn't necessarily define an organized expression of that spirituality. This works incredibly well for the book at times, though there are other times when the book's language feels overly ambiguous and, well, more than a bit airy-fairy.
Cameron's first three weeks largely center themselves around "types" of prayers. The final three chapters build upon this basic knowledge and more fully pursue applicability and immersion in prayer. I will confess I didn't always resonate with Cameron's views on prayer and found them, more specifically, a little too self-centered rather than God or Higher Power-centered. Prayer, for me, is more about relationship with God - it is in that relationship that creativity becomes fully expressed. As written in "Seeking Wisdom," prayer feels less about relationship and more about personal manifestation.
I simply don't resonate with that at all.
I found much of "Seeking Wisdom" centered upon Cameron herself. While many of Cameron's stories certainly connect to her teachings here, I found myself often wanting more "spiritual path" and less "personal story." I'm honestly not even sure I'd say that "spiritual path" is an accurate way to fully describe this program as it is nearly entirely grounded upon prayer which is, of course, only one aspect or expression of spirituality. While "Seeking Wisdom" offers many wonderful "Try This" moments, I found they didn't always have a natural flow that then led to creative connection.
Overall, it may seem as if I'm particularly low on "Seeking Wisdom." This isn't really accurate. I will admit that I find myself disappointed, an unexpected resulted considering this is an author who's long influenced my creative life. It's more that "Seeking Wisdom" still feels like a work-in-progress and there were times I found myself thinking to myself "Julia, get out of your own way here." There are times that "Seeking Wisdom" feels overly intellectual when it needs to surrender more to spirituality.
There will be, no doubt, those who resonate greatly with "Seeking Wisdom" and who will view Cameron's six-week program and it's familiar structure and guided moments with a friendlier lens. Indeed, there's most certainly an audience for "Seeking Wisdom."
I'm simply not it.
January 13, 2022
I was first introduced to the writing of Julia Cameron decades ago with her ground-breaking The Artist’s Way. I have read several of her other books through the years, and they always have the same effect on me. They soften me, making me feel vulnerable and strong at the same time. She has a way of wiping away all the things that don’t matter and reminding me of what’s important, what’s possible, what’s meaningful to me. As I read her latest, Seeking Wisdom, I found those old tears welling back up, reminding me of what it is to be human.
In this 6-week program, you’ll find all your old friends. There are admonitions to do your Morning Pages, 3 pages of longhand writing first thing in the morning where you can get out all your worries, your hopes, your dreams, you fears. And there is the Artist Date, a weekly date you go on by yourself to find your joy. There are the walks you take by yourself, to seek out insights by communing with nature. And since the original Artist’s Way, she has added going to the page and asking for guidance and writing down what you hear.
The weeks themselves are a study in prayer. As Cameron shares her own prayers and answers, some of which are yes and some of which are no or not yet, she also shares a peek into her own life, her own struggles, her own fears, her own vulnerabilities. Most of this book was written during a particularly cold and snowy winter at her home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and she talks a lot about what is happening in her backyard. She has a pinyon tree whose branches fill with small birds when the snow starts. It protects them from the weather. And there are ravens and squirrels who gather around the bottom of the tree to feed on the nuts, carefully watched by her dog inside.
Repeatedly, Cameron comes back to this vision of her tree, a strong structure that offers protection and sustenance for those who come to it. It stands there, rooted deeply, stretching towards the sun, towards the stars, offering up what is has to those who need it. It’s like the prayers that Cameron talks about, the ones that keep her rooted and allow her to grow tall, the ones that offer her protection from her worries and food for her hunger.
Seeking Wisdom is a 6-week course in prayer, in learning to pray in the morning and at night, in learning to ask for help and express gratitude. It’s not about religion or churchiness. She just wants you to believe in and pray to a power that is higher than you are, a benevolent creative source that has your back in this world. She speaks to many of her friends throughout these weeks, from a wide variety of backgrounds and religions, and she finds out how they pray and how praying helps them in the big things and the small things.
If you’re wondering how this fits in with the creative recovery that Cameron is known so well for, you will see how her spirituality and her creativity are connected. The more she grounds herself in prayer, the more she goes back to the page to write. She writes this book. She starts a new play. She writes letters to her friends, and she writes about the guidance she finds in her prayers. Her prayers and her creativity are on full display, and her journey leads the way for anyone wanting a refresher on living the artist’s life she talks about in all her books, or for anyone interested in living a prayerful life.
Seeking Wisdom is more than a 6-week course in becoming more creative. It’s a course in becoming more human. It’s very personal, but it’s also universal. Working through these six weeks on prayer, questioning all the beliefs you have about prayer and finding yourself reaching out in prayer in new ways, you will find your spirit opening up in response. At least, I did. And I hope you find the same kind of experience when you encounter Seeking Wisdom.
Egalleys for Seeking Wisdom were provided by St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley, with many thanks.
In this 6-week program, you’ll find all your old friends. There are admonitions to do your Morning Pages, 3 pages of longhand writing first thing in the morning where you can get out all your worries, your hopes, your dreams, you fears. And there is the Artist Date, a weekly date you go on by yourself to find your joy. There are the walks you take by yourself, to seek out insights by communing with nature. And since the original Artist’s Way, she has added going to the page and asking for guidance and writing down what you hear.
The weeks themselves are a study in prayer. As Cameron shares her own prayers and answers, some of which are yes and some of which are no or not yet, she also shares a peek into her own life, her own struggles, her own fears, her own vulnerabilities. Most of this book was written during a particularly cold and snowy winter at her home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and she talks a lot about what is happening in her backyard. She has a pinyon tree whose branches fill with small birds when the snow starts. It protects them from the weather. And there are ravens and squirrels who gather around the bottom of the tree to feed on the nuts, carefully watched by her dog inside.
Repeatedly, Cameron comes back to this vision of her tree, a strong structure that offers protection and sustenance for those who come to it. It stands there, rooted deeply, stretching towards the sun, towards the stars, offering up what is has to those who need it. It’s like the prayers that Cameron talks about, the ones that keep her rooted and allow her to grow tall, the ones that offer her protection from her worries and food for her hunger.
Seeking Wisdom is a 6-week course in prayer, in learning to pray in the morning and at night, in learning to ask for help and express gratitude. It’s not about religion or churchiness. She just wants you to believe in and pray to a power that is higher than you are, a benevolent creative source that has your back in this world. She speaks to many of her friends throughout these weeks, from a wide variety of backgrounds and religions, and she finds out how they pray and how praying helps them in the big things and the small things.
If you’re wondering how this fits in with the creative recovery that Cameron is known so well for, you will see how her spirituality and her creativity are connected. The more she grounds herself in prayer, the more she goes back to the page to write. She writes this book. She starts a new play. She writes letters to her friends, and she writes about the guidance she finds in her prayers. Her prayers and her creativity are on full display, and her journey leads the way for anyone wanting a refresher on living the artist’s life she talks about in all her books, or for anyone interested in living a prayerful life.
Seeking Wisdom is more than a 6-week course in becoming more creative. It’s a course in becoming more human. It’s very personal, but it’s also universal. Working through these six weeks on prayer, questioning all the beliefs you have about prayer and finding yourself reaching out in prayer in new ways, you will find your spirit opening up in response. At least, I did. And I hope you find the same kind of experience when you encounter Seeking Wisdom.
Egalleys for Seeking Wisdom were provided by St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley, with many thanks.
November 5, 2021
What a great inspirational book and guide to praying faithfully. A Spiritual Path to Creative Connection, is a six-week program that focuses on the need for guidance in our lives and the forms of prayer that can provide connection to a higher power. I don't know how I made it through life without this book. It opened my eyes and heart to praying with an open mind. It is an easy guide to follow. The author introduces the discipline of regular prayer and development of spirituality, she chronicles numerous interviews with friends and neighbors on this subject. There are interesting characters that make the topic personable and relatable. I think this would be a good book to introduce to small groups in our church. A must and read and re-read. Great author.
July 28, 2022
I really wanted to like this, as I'm a big fan of Cameron, but despite her caveat that the use of 'God' can have a broader than the traditional definition, this was just too steeped in both God-talk and AA recovery speak for me to relate to. It was also in places quite boring, unless you hold a deep fascination for the minutiae of Cameron's day-to-day life.
If you are religious, or more open to religion, you will likely have a different read, and some of the advice - about gratitude etc - is widely applicable.
If you are religious, or more open to religion, you will likely have a different read, and some of the advice - about gratitude etc - is widely applicable.
May 29, 2022
This book is by the literary icon and bestselling author of "The Artist's Way" and is her latest guide for artists. Here, she shares her advice on asking for guidance and avoiding distractions while writing. The book opens with tools like writing morning pages, creating artist dates, and walking without distractions—all tools of introspection. Then she helps people practice using guidance in their everyday lives.
The author pulls me in because she immediately shared about struggling to control her drinking and that her marriage was falling apart. The book opens with her being guided to prayer and discovering that prayer was a powerful resource for her in many different ways. The morning pages became a routine, which she says helped her to accept guidance in other areas of her life. This book chronicles how the author regrouped in her life and went off on a new path in a very inspiring way.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://zibbyowens.com/transcript/jul...
The author pulls me in because she immediately shared about struggling to control her drinking and that her marriage was falling apart. The book opens with her being guided to prayer and discovering that prayer was a powerful resource for her in many different ways. The morning pages became a routine, which she says helped her to accept guidance in other areas of her life. This book chronicles how the author regrouped in her life and went off on a new path in a very inspiring way.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://zibbyowens.com/transcript/jul...
May 20, 2024
I guess she basically writes different versions of The Artist’s Way? I’ve never read it, though I have done morning pages off and on. This version of spirituality is very inflected by AA and not really for me. But I do like some of her ideas for fostering creativity and self-exploration, artist or not.
October 2, 2021
If you're a fan of Julia Cameron, you'll want to read this book. After decades of leading many of us in developing and nurturing creativity and healthy creative habits, this new book turns to prayer. Ms. Cameron invites us into her home in New Mexico during the winter, setting a lovely and cozy tone for the book. As she introduces the discipline of regular prayer and development of spirituality, she chronicles numerous interviews with friends and neighbors on this subject. This technique nicely peopled the book with interesting characters and made the topic personable and relatable.
Highly recommended. A beautiful book.
Highly recommended. A beautiful book.
January 1, 2022
I received a free advanced reader copy through the Goodreads book giveaway program.
Have read several of Cameron's books, and found the writing prompts helpful in a variety of personal and writing ways. This book was no different. This specifically centers on one's belief system and reliance on a higher power. It was different in that it encouraged examining where one's belief system originated, and defining it for yourself, gently. This will be another of Julia's books that will be re-read and spend some contemplative time with.
Have read several of Cameron's books, and found the writing prompts helpful in a variety of personal and writing ways. This book was no different. This specifically centers on one's belief system and reliance on a higher power. It was different in that it encouraged examining where one's belief system originated, and defining it for yourself, gently. This will be another of Julia's books that will be re-read and spend some contemplative time with.
May 30, 2023
Has some helpful tools and resources. I would go in with an open mind and take what resonates.
Would not recommend if you’re still healing from religious trauma.
Would not recommend if you’re still healing from religious trauma.
April 10, 2022
Skimmed
May 23, 2022
So disappointing. Every chapter follows a formula - interviews with lapsed Catholics, reports on what the lapsed Catholics were wearing and eating, a weather report.
January 24, 2022
I loved this book. I felt like I was getting smart, spiritual advice from a good friend on how to build a connection to spirit (and my own higher consciousness) by developing a regular practice of prayer. One doesn't have to believe in God to pray, one doesn't have to be religious or go to any services; one just has to think or write or speak aloud what one wants, is grateful for, wishes, worries over, or has on one's mind. Praying is a form of self-awareness and mindfulness, but I find prayer feels better than just reminding myself what I am feeling, naming my emotions or meditating.
Unsurprisingly, Cameron reminds us all to do three morning pages every day upon waking and to have a weekly artist's date with ourselves every week, and much of this will be familiar if you've read The Artist's Way, but here she talks about the value of these practices with fresh anecdotes that might inspire you. (They inspired me! I am journaling much more--though still can't figure out how to get up before my pets, who demand I let them out and feed them as soon as I wake up -- so not doing my pages in the morning. And I have done artist's dates, working on collaging soul cards and really enjoying myself.
The main value of this book is its celebration of and encouragement of building a practice of regular prayer. I have tried to maintain a prayer journal , as writing my prayers down seems the best way for me to feel committed to praying. But what I really want is to buy this book and own it. The audio copy I listened to was provided by Netgalley for free in exchange for this honest review. The narration was fantastic (and though I want to believe that is Julia Cameron's voice, I know it isn't), but I bet owning the fard copy will be even better.
Unsurprisingly, Cameron reminds us all to do three morning pages every day upon waking and to have a weekly artist's date with ourselves every week, and much of this will be familiar if you've read The Artist's Way, but here she talks about the value of these practices with fresh anecdotes that might inspire you. (They inspired me! I am journaling much more--though still can't figure out how to get up before my pets, who demand I let them out and feed them as soon as I wake up -- so not doing my pages in the morning. And I have done artist's dates, working on collaging soul cards and really enjoying myself.
The main value of this book is its celebration of and encouragement of building a practice of regular prayer. I have tried to maintain a prayer journal , as writing my prayers down seems the best way for me to feel committed to praying. But what I really want is to buy this book and own it. The audio copy I listened to was provided by Netgalley for free in exchange for this honest review. The narration was fantastic (and though I want to believe that is Julia Cameron's voice, I know it isn't), but I bet owning the fard copy will be even better.
March 29, 2022
While I love Julia Cameron's other books, especially The Artist Way, and I do my morning pages religiously, this is a bit too much 'God' centered for me. She does say you can plug in your own interpretation of God, it was just a bit too much for me.
September 29, 2021
Creativity guru Julia Cameron’s latest Artist’s Way entry, Seeking Wisdom:
A Spiritual Path to Creative Connection, is a six-week program that focuses on the need for guidance in our lives and the forms of prayer that can provide connection to a higher power (in whatever form each individual conceives that higher power) in order to receive that guidance.
Cameron uses examples from her own life to illustrate how guidance has both rescued and inspired her, most prominently in her recovery from alcoholism. She also interviews others who use prayer to make spiritual connections and examines a variety of prayer practices and methods, most deviating from formal, ritualistic prayer into a more friendly, companionable relationship with God.
Also featured prominently are Cameron’s standard practices in her books on creativity: Morning Pages, Artist’s Dates, and Walking. Those who have read Cameron’s other works may find those portions repetitive; however, I found her examination of various prayer practices (and their practitioners) to be intriguing, resonating with many of my own experiences.
If it’s been awhile since you read a title from the Artist’s Way series or have an interest in prayer seeking divine guidance, give this one a try--definitely a favorite among Ms. Cameron’s recent works.
Full Disclosure--NetGalley and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.
A Spiritual Path to Creative Connection, is a six-week program that focuses on the need for guidance in our lives and the forms of prayer that can provide connection to a higher power (in whatever form each individual conceives that higher power) in order to receive that guidance.
Cameron uses examples from her own life to illustrate how guidance has both rescued and inspired her, most prominently in her recovery from alcoholism. She also interviews others who use prayer to make spiritual connections and examines a variety of prayer practices and methods, most deviating from formal, ritualistic prayer into a more friendly, companionable relationship with God.
Also featured prominently are Cameron’s standard practices in her books on creativity: Morning Pages, Artist’s Dates, and Walking. Those who have read Cameron’s other works may find those portions repetitive; however, I found her examination of various prayer practices (and their practitioners) to be intriguing, resonating with many of my own experiences.
If it’s been awhile since you read a title from the Artist’s Way series or have an interest in prayer seeking divine guidance, give this one a try--definitely a favorite among Ms. Cameron’s recent works.
Full Disclosure--NetGalley and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.
August 16, 2022
While my interest was initially piqued by the premise of this book (viewing prayer as a creative practice), Seeking Wisdom was a complete miss for me. Julia Cameron, author of the widely regarded The Artist's Way, attempts to prescribe a 6-week program of prayer, with a strong emphasis on the word "attempt."
Instead of taking the reader through a guided exploration of prayer, Cameron shares an endless stream of mawkish anecdotes. As others have mentioned, the book is heavily bogged down by redundant narration involving the minutiae of her home repairs, repetitive descriptions of the piñon tree outside of her home, and wildly unnecessary details of every interviewee's meal at The Red Enchilada.
If you are looking for a biblical, methodological study of prayer, this is not it. I was disappointed that this book was centered around a rather open-ended, superficial, and ambiguous concept of God. The only remotely redeeming aspect of the book are the personal reflection prompts, but you are better off skipping them altogether and instead sticking with the exercises outlined in The Artist's Way.
Instead of taking the reader through a guided exploration of prayer, Cameron shares an endless stream of mawkish anecdotes. As others have mentioned, the book is heavily bogged down by redundant narration involving the minutiae of her home repairs, repetitive descriptions of the piñon tree outside of her home, and wildly unnecessary details of every interviewee's meal at The Red Enchilada.
If you are looking for a biblical, methodological study of prayer, this is not it. I was disappointed that this book was centered around a rather open-ended, superficial, and ambiguous concept of God. The only remotely redeeming aspect of the book are the personal reflection prompts, but you are better off skipping them altogether and instead sticking with the exercises outlined in The Artist's Way.
February 28, 2022
It was nice. Often repetitive. I appreciated her suggestions but felt it could have been condensed.
May 29, 2022
I really wanted to love this. Julia Cameron is famous for the book, The Artist’s Way, which I enjoyed and found really helpful in developing a creative life. This book however fell flat for me. Too much description of people she interviewed and her day to day interactions, which did not really add to the subject at all. It was a huge distraction and did not help me connecting with any wisdom of prayer and the spiritual path. Disappointing.
October 12, 2022
The only benefit of reading this was to return to the habits introduced in The Artist’s Way.
January 1, 2023
Always a pleasure to read/listen to Julia Cameron, especially this work focused on prayer in connection to creativity.
December 28, 2024
I was interested in this book because my book coach recommended it. I have read “The Artist’s Way” before and found it helpful from my writing. I was very interested to see what Julia Cameron had to say about the spiritual journey, prayer and how they correspond with the creative journey and lifestyle.
In the introduction and first week of the book, Cameron defines and explains prayer and her understanding of it, as well as what she calls the “God concept.” The God concept part of the book was harder for me only because of my background as a Christian. She has a more spiritualist approach to God, or what she calls “your higher power.”
Week 2 is about prayers of petition and I liked just about everything she had to say about these types of prayer. This is probably what most people think of when they think of prayer. Prayer is much more than this but it’s a good start for most people.
Week 3 is about prayers of gratitude and was my favorite chapter of the book. I think it’s important for us to be more grateful in our prayers. She really helped me with seeing what kinds of things I should be grateful for as a creative and person.
Week 4 she entitles “Prayers of Grace” and deals more with noticing the kinds of things God puts on our path that are good things for us. Sometimes we do not think there are good things but God can use any of our life experiences to help us grow.
In Week 5, the author expounds and expands her principles and ideas about creativity and spirituality and how they intersect. I enjoyed this chapter because spiritual people don’t always realize how much creativity comes from God and is a spiritual process. I recognize it as I write Christian nonfiction books probably more than others.
She places an interim chapter on The Light of Enlightenment that I did not find as interesting or probably it just didn’t connect with me. I still enjoy how in each chapter she talks about the people she interviews and gives you an idea of what the interview was like and how it went. You get a warm sense of each person she interviewed from the way she describes the interviews.
In Week 6, she describes how she likes her birthday because it is March 4, which cc as a command, to March 4 in your creative process and spirituality. She also talks a lot about talking to God and her own process. I enjoyed this chapter as well.
I like how Cameron makes this a very practical book for creative spy having prompts in the middle for chapters “Try This,” and prompts at the end of each chapter. They challenge you to get involved with the processes and prayers she is speaking of rather than just reading the book.
I know she is trying to reach a wider audience of spiritualists who are creative’s rather than a certain kind of spiritual person. Still, as a Christian, I had trouble with the language of “your higher power.” This does not detract from the book, its goals, and how the author reaches those goals. I think the book is still useful for Christian creativeness.
I recommend this book to anyone who believes the spiritual and creative are connected and can use prompts and a program of guidance during the creative process. Anyone with those views could get a lot out of this book.
In the introduction and first week of the book, Cameron defines and explains prayer and her understanding of it, as well as what she calls the “God concept.” The God concept part of the book was harder for me only because of my background as a Christian. She has a more spiritualist approach to God, or what she calls “your higher power.”
Week 2 is about prayers of petition and I liked just about everything she had to say about these types of prayer. This is probably what most people think of when they think of prayer. Prayer is much more than this but it’s a good start for most people.
Week 3 is about prayers of gratitude and was my favorite chapter of the book. I think it’s important for us to be more grateful in our prayers. She really helped me with seeing what kinds of things I should be grateful for as a creative and person.
Week 4 she entitles “Prayers of Grace” and deals more with noticing the kinds of things God puts on our path that are good things for us. Sometimes we do not think there are good things but God can use any of our life experiences to help us grow.
In Week 5, the author expounds and expands her principles and ideas about creativity and spirituality and how they intersect. I enjoyed this chapter because spiritual people don’t always realize how much creativity comes from God and is a spiritual process. I recognize it as I write Christian nonfiction books probably more than others.
She places an interim chapter on The Light of Enlightenment that I did not find as interesting or probably it just didn’t connect with me. I still enjoy how in each chapter she talks about the people she interviews and gives you an idea of what the interview was like and how it went. You get a warm sense of each person she interviewed from the way she describes the interviews.
In Week 6, she describes how she likes her birthday because it is March 4, which cc as a command, to March 4 in your creative process and spirituality. She also talks a lot about talking to God and her own process. I enjoyed this chapter as well.
I like how Cameron makes this a very practical book for creative spy having prompts in the middle for chapters “Try This,” and prompts at the end of each chapter. They challenge you to get involved with the processes and prayers she is speaking of rather than just reading the book.
I know she is trying to reach a wider audience of spiritualists who are creative’s rather than a certain kind of spiritual person. Still, as a Christian, I had trouble with the language of “your higher power.” This does not detract from the book, its goals, and how the author reaches those goals. I think the book is still useful for Christian creativeness.
I recommend this book to anyone who believes the spiritual and creative are connected and can use prompts and a program of guidance during the creative process. Anyone with those views could get a lot out of this book.
November 7, 2021
Fans of Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way and other titles related to unleashing blocked or unexamined creativity will enjoy her latest, which is an exploration of the power of prayer. SEEKING WISDOM: A Path to Creative Connection (A Six-Week Artist’s Way Program) revisits some of Cameron’s recommended practices, such as Morning Pages and Artist Dates, which will be familiar to her longtime readers.
For this study of prayer, Cameron interviewed several friends and colleagues working in creative endeavors who maintained spiritual practices. Most of them had experienced some type of disillusionment with traditional religion but came to see prayer as essential to their creative work. She also documented the ups and downs of her journey in the writing of this book over a snowy winter at her home in New Mexico.
There is valuable discussion of prayers of petition, gratitude, and praise in its pages. Cameron’s sign at her desk, “Okay, God, you take care of the quality and I’ll take care of the quantity” is a wonderful reminder that writers need to just write. A lot. The spiritual exercises will make readers consider questions like “If it wasn’t too late, I’d try …” and “If I had no fear, I’d make ….”
Some readers who are more aligned with traditional religion may find her personal and intimate notion of God not to their liking, but I appreciated her explanation early on in the book of how for many of us, our vision of God is punitive and not loving and patient with our failings. By intentionally re-envisioning God as a loving force who wants us to create and give and reach out to others, we can maintain focus on the guidance spirituality offers and grow in both creativity and wisdom.
I grew distracted by the repetitive nature of both the interviews and the mountain home scenes in which Cameron voices her frustration with being confined due to winter storms but then observes her piñon tree/her dog/the ravens in the yard/phones a friend and consequently comes to term with her (temporary) isolation. It was hard not to imagine just how claustrophobic she must have felt during the early days of the pandemic, which during the writing of this book had yet to reach the US.
Every writer has their own voice and idiosyncrasies that appeal to their readers. But by the time I was on the third chapter, I was reading not like a reader but like an editor and becoming increasingly frustrated that the interviews with her friends and colleagues at various cafes over breakfast or lunch were described spoon by spoon, drawing my attention away from the experiences the interviewees recounted and focusing on their posole or oatmeal.
Although I understand the desire to create context, this wasn’t context that was particularly helpful. I came away feeling like the writing of SEEKING WISDOM had been a struggle for Cameron and probably for her editor as well. For this reason, I’d prioritize other titles of Cameron’s for my library, rather than SEEKING WISDOM.
For this study of prayer, Cameron interviewed several friends and colleagues working in creative endeavors who maintained spiritual practices. Most of them had experienced some type of disillusionment with traditional religion but came to see prayer as essential to their creative work. She also documented the ups and downs of her journey in the writing of this book over a snowy winter at her home in New Mexico.
There is valuable discussion of prayers of petition, gratitude, and praise in its pages. Cameron’s sign at her desk, “Okay, God, you take care of the quality and I’ll take care of the quantity” is a wonderful reminder that writers need to just write. A lot. The spiritual exercises will make readers consider questions like “If it wasn’t too late, I’d try …” and “If I had no fear, I’d make ….”
Some readers who are more aligned with traditional religion may find her personal and intimate notion of God not to their liking, but I appreciated her explanation early on in the book of how for many of us, our vision of God is punitive and not loving and patient with our failings. By intentionally re-envisioning God as a loving force who wants us to create and give and reach out to others, we can maintain focus on the guidance spirituality offers and grow in both creativity and wisdom.
I grew distracted by the repetitive nature of both the interviews and the mountain home scenes in which Cameron voices her frustration with being confined due to winter storms but then observes her piñon tree/her dog/the ravens in the yard/phones a friend and consequently comes to term with her (temporary) isolation. It was hard not to imagine just how claustrophobic she must have felt during the early days of the pandemic, which during the writing of this book had yet to reach the US.
Every writer has their own voice and idiosyncrasies that appeal to their readers. But by the time I was on the third chapter, I was reading not like a reader but like an editor and becoming increasingly frustrated that the interviews with her friends and colleagues at various cafes over breakfast or lunch were described spoon by spoon, drawing my attention away from the experiences the interviewees recounted and focusing on their posole or oatmeal.
Although I understand the desire to create context, this wasn’t context that was particularly helpful. I came away feeling like the writing of SEEKING WISDOM had been a struggle for Cameron and probably for her editor as well. For this reason, I’d prioritize other titles of Cameron’s for my library, rather than SEEKING WISDOM.
December 2, 2024
✨ What’s so special about the book
Honestly for me, this book was more like a reminder that there are a lot of things we should be praying about, EVERY SINGLE TIME. The writer was once an alcoholic who’s asking for sobriety through prayer. So readers can really imagine how THE PRAYER works on her at her lowest. Yet, prayer is not just about us asking for help from the Higher Power. There are many form of prayers; prayers of petition, prayers of gratitude and prayers of praise, in other words, it’s for me an interesting definition of how communication with God has to be about.
🗣️ Who should be reading this
Hmm, I really wanna say everyone but I guess not everyone wants to dig deeper about the way they pray, and not everyone wants to see other point of views of praying because I know, prayer is really personal. But what interested me was it takes up on how people perceive prayers, how they define God as a person/object/any kind of form, whom they sent their prayer to. We do have our own way/ritual/tradition when praying, which for some people could rather limit the communication with God, as how it said on the book “Why would something so mighty be so limited?”
So the writer here helps the reader in finding ways on talking to God, asking for needs,etc with some comfortable ways through six week practical guide. All those things about praying that we did not think about and answered some more questions we ask ourselves, like “Why do we imagine that prayer must be difficult?”
#bookreview #selfhelp #nonfiction #currentreads
Honestly for me, this book was more like a reminder that there are a lot of things we should be praying about, EVERY SINGLE TIME. The writer was once an alcoholic who’s asking for sobriety through prayer. So readers can really imagine how THE PRAYER works on her at her lowest. Yet, prayer is not just about us asking for help from the Higher Power. There are many form of prayers; prayers of petition, prayers of gratitude and prayers of praise, in other words, it’s for me an interesting definition of how communication with God has to be about.
🗣️ Who should be reading this
Hmm, I really wanna say everyone but I guess not everyone wants to dig deeper about the way they pray, and not everyone wants to see other point of views of praying because I know, prayer is really personal. But what interested me was it takes up on how people perceive prayers, how they define God as a person/object/any kind of form, whom they sent their prayer to. We do have our own way/ritual/tradition when praying, which for some people could rather limit the communication with God, as how it said on the book “Why would something so mighty be so limited?”
So the writer here helps the reader in finding ways on talking to God, asking for needs,etc with some comfortable ways through six week practical guide. All those things about praying that we did not think about and answered some more questions we ask ourselves, like “Why do we imagine that prayer must be difficult?”
#bookreview #selfhelp #nonfiction #currentreads
March 8, 2023
Repetitive, but made me think
This is my first, and likely last, Julia Cameron book. Highly repetitive, this book could have been much shorter. I also found Julia to be rather precious in her first-person narrative. Just over the top. Although I am only vaguely familiar with the 7-step AA program, much of her philosophy likely comes from the program that she credits with saving her.
However, I did find value in this book. The concept of Morning Pages, writing your thoughts down longhand, letting them flow, taking you where they want you to go, is an intriguing concept. It can be a clarifying experience - writing as a way to figure out what I am thinking. But it’s more than that. It’s about listening. Cameron claims it comes from a higher power. Perhaps. Or perhaps it simply comes from your conscience or your subconscious. Perhaps there is a “higher power“ in each of us. Perhaps we can access that power by listening or by serving as its scribe.
I have tried her suggestion to write out a question like “what should I do about X?” And then start writing down what comes to mind. The results are often fascinating. The “guidance” is often appropriate and helpful.
To the extent that I believe in god, I believe that god is in each of us. But it is up to us to access it. Writing out a question and then letting the answer flow through the tip of your pencil seems as good of a way to access god as any. It can be comforting and enlightening.
This is my first, and likely last, Julia Cameron book. Highly repetitive, this book could have been much shorter. I also found Julia to be rather precious in her first-person narrative. Just over the top. Although I am only vaguely familiar with the 7-step AA program, much of her philosophy likely comes from the program that she credits with saving her.
However, I did find value in this book. The concept of Morning Pages, writing your thoughts down longhand, letting them flow, taking you where they want you to go, is an intriguing concept. It can be a clarifying experience - writing as a way to figure out what I am thinking. But it’s more than that. It’s about listening. Cameron claims it comes from a higher power. Perhaps. Or perhaps it simply comes from your conscience or your subconscious. Perhaps there is a “higher power“ in each of us. Perhaps we can access that power by listening or by serving as its scribe.
I have tried her suggestion to write out a question like “what should I do about X?” And then start writing down what comes to mind. The results are often fascinating. The “guidance” is often appropriate and helpful.
To the extent that I believe in god, I believe that god is in each of us. But it is up to us to access it. Writing out a question and then letting the answer flow through the tip of your pencil seems as good of a way to access god as any. It can be comforting and enlightening.
August 24, 2022
Read this book as research for developing a teaching curriculum for a workshop.Am already familiar w/ the premise of Cameron’s Artist Way and was curious how she was going to build in awareness of God/prayer into this book. Was struck by the inherent privilege and blind assumption of ease of wealth in her suggestions. Cameron talks freely of her path toward recovery, yes, but still operates within a world seemingly populated by people who ride horses and hang out at stables, who travel in circles of apparent economic and social stability. This lack of awareness and acknowledgement struck me. Couldn’t get past it as I was working on a program specific for marginalized populations. There needs to be equivalent resources for those who are economically disadvantaged, that’s more trauma aware, & recognizes the challenges often part and parcel to being LGBTQ+, BIPOC and navigating life as such—. If you’re wealthy, privileged, have a more leisure life, this book is just fine. But otherwise, you’ve really got to have the ability to set your life aside to be able to take advantage of her suggestions. I found it difficult to get past her anecdotal stories as they spoke to privileged lives that aren’t the people I work with, aren’t how I live my life, spiritually informed or not.
March 11, 2022
Embracing prayer as a way to tap into the divine spark of creativity
I've been reading Julia Cameron's books on the Artist Way since the early 1990s when she first started publishing. She has transformed my creative life and this book while a little bit of my comfort zone. She mentions in the introduction that she hit rock bottom and gave up drinking, which I never knew of her. And while she speaks briefly of the concept of a higher power that is part of Alcoholic Anonymous. So this might be a good book for someone in AA, but it's not the focus.
As part of the Artist Way series, she has you write three morning pages, take two weekly walks, and an Artist Date each week. She has you do different exercises to engage in a dialogue with God. But for me, I used the Goddess in my exercises. I got this on the Kindle so I need to go back and highlight the different exercises so I can continue to try them as I continue my morning pages. Highly recommend this book to those who enjoy the Artist Way and are not offended by the idea of embracing prayer as part of your daily life.
I've been reading Julia Cameron's books on the Artist Way since the early 1990s when she first started publishing. She has transformed my creative life and this book while a little bit of my comfort zone. She mentions in the introduction that she hit rock bottom and gave up drinking, which I never knew of her. And while she speaks briefly of the concept of a higher power that is part of Alcoholic Anonymous. So this might be a good book for someone in AA, but it's not the focus.
As part of the Artist Way series, she has you write three morning pages, take two weekly walks, and an Artist Date each week. She has you do different exercises to engage in a dialogue with God. But for me, I used the Goddess in my exercises. I got this on the Kindle so I need to go back and highlight the different exercises so I can continue to try them as I continue my morning pages. Highly recommend this book to those who enjoy the Artist Way and are not offended by the idea of embracing prayer as part of your daily life.
April 17, 2022
I’m giving this book 5 stars with the knowledge that it’s something I’ll actively incorporate into my life.
“The point of this six-week program is this:
Through adopting a more benevolent concept of God, we can begin a dialogue with the divine. Prayers of petition, gratitude, and praise can help us recognize our dreams and desires and liberate us from what keeps us from pursuing them. Through routine practice of prayer, morning pages, and walking with questions, we can unblock our creativity and work collaboratively with the divine.
And here’s some more actionable advice:
Identify an artist with whom you can share your early ideas.
When it comes to sharing ideas, it’s important to be discerning about the people we let into our creative practice. But if executed wisely, connecting with other artists when nourishing an idea can be an answered prayer. To identity who you should and shouldn’t share your ideas with, try filling in the following sentences:
“I can share my ideas safely with . . .”
“A person I shouldn’t have trusted . . .”
“. . . is someone who might be overly critical.””
“The point of this six-week program is this:
Through adopting a more benevolent concept of God, we can begin a dialogue with the divine. Prayers of petition, gratitude, and praise can help us recognize our dreams and desires and liberate us from what keeps us from pursuing them. Through routine practice of prayer, morning pages, and walking with questions, we can unblock our creativity and work collaboratively with the divine.
And here’s some more actionable advice:
Identify an artist with whom you can share your early ideas.
When it comes to sharing ideas, it’s important to be discerning about the people we let into our creative practice. But if executed wisely, connecting with other artists when nourishing an idea can be an answered prayer. To identity who you should and shouldn’t share your ideas with, try filling in the following sentences:
“I can share my ideas safely with . . .”
“A person I shouldn’t have trusted . . .”
“. . . is someone who might be overly critical.””
January 28, 2023
The Artist’s Way had a huge influence on me, years ago, but it seems every one of her books since then is largely based on The Artist’s Way without much originality. For example Seeking Wisdom is a very simplistic, feel-good book on prayer, based on a self-absorbed, privileged view that borrows heavily from AA, New Age and positivism. It also rehashes the entire Artist’s Way tools and program. This book didn’t seem much in touch with the realities of evil, suffering etc. She blithely dismissed death of a child and other unfathomable tragedies as “the will of God”. It’s lacking in complexity about Who God Is and more along the lines of validating and getting what we want when we pray. I really don’t like all the first-and-last-name dropping of her friends and employees, transcribed phone calls with far flung friends that seem irrelevant, etc. If one shared her background, wealth, alcoholism history, maybe the incessant self-reassurance would make sense? Color me a little angry for waiting so long to get this book from the library, and for expecting more from it.
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April 17, 2022The point of this six-week program is this:
Through adopting a more benevolent concept of God, we can begin a dialogue with the divine. Prayers of petition, gratitude, and praise can help us recognize our dreams and desires and liberate us from what keeps us from pursuing them. Through routine practice of prayer, morning pages, and walking with questions, we can unblock our creativity and work collaboratively with the divine.
And here’s some more actionable advice:
Identify an artist with whom you can share your early ideas.
When it comes to sharing ideas, it’s important to be discerning about the people we let into our creative practice. But if executed wisely, connecting with other artists when nourishing an idea can be an answered prayer. To identity who you should and shouldn’t share your ideas with, try filling in the following sentences:
“I can share my ideas safely with . . .”
“A person I shouldn’t have trusted . . .”
“. . . is someone who might be overly critical.”
Through adopting a more benevolent concept of God, we can begin a dialogue with the divine. Prayers of petition, gratitude, and praise can help us recognize our dreams and desires and liberate us from what keeps us from pursuing them. Through routine practice of prayer, morning pages, and walking with questions, we can unblock our creativity and work collaboratively with the divine.
And here’s some more actionable advice:
Identify an artist with whom you can share your early ideas.
When it comes to sharing ideas, it’s important to be discerning about the people we let into our creative practice. But if executed wisely, connecting with other artists when nourishing an idea can be an answered prayer. To identity who you should and shouldn’t share your ideas with, try filling in the following sentences:
“I can share my ideas safely with . . .”
“A person I shouldn’t have trusted . . .”
“. . . is someone who might be overly critical.”
June 20, 2022
I have a tough time with spirituality and religion. So I was hesitant to start this after doing “The Artist’s Way” in 2020.
There’s a lot more personal story in this one versus the more academic approach in TAW. “God” is a hard concept for most of us that triggers a lot of trauma at the hands of mankind bastardizing religion and God.
I will say her usage of the word “depression” is inaccurate and dated. When we’re feeling down or sad, if it’s a medical diagnosis of depression, sure. But we need to be mindful about using that word for a bad mood.
I’m never going to be sold on religion. But my own work has led me to a more Universe-based, nature, spiritual path so this complimented that. If anything, I trust my own intuition more after this.
Religious, spiritual, or not… you can use what feels best for you as GOD and focus on how you can appreciate life in your endeavors more. I feel more in tune with myself at this point thanks to this program.
There’s a lot more personal story in this one versus the more academic approach in TAW. “God” is a hard concept for most of us that triggers a lot of trauma at the hands of mankind bastardizing religion and God.
I will say her usage of the word “depression” is inaccurate and dated. When we’re feeling down or sad, if it’s a medical diagnosis of depression, sure. But we need to be mindful about using that word for a bad mood.
I’m never going to be sold on religion. But my own work has led me to a more Universe-based, nature, spiritual path so this complimented that. If anything, I trust my own intuition more after this.
Religious, spiritual, or not… you can use what feels best for you as GOD and focus on how you can appreciate life in your endeavors more. I feel more in tune with myself at this point thanks to this program.
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