DRINKING LIGHTNING. Art, Creativity, and Transformation.

The author, Philip Rubinov-Jacobson, jandm@flash.net, October 22, 2000

DRINKING LIGHTNING is an inspirational book presenting 'creativity' in all facets of life as an integral part of one's personal spirituality. I share parts of my own life as creativity in action, from a street fighter in New York to walking naked in India with a band of Sadhus. My book is also a philosophical treatise that has evolved through 'living it'. I touch upon the world wisdom traditions and the eclectic nature of contemporary spiritual movements and art history itself to reveal the oneness of art and spirit. I reflect on my development through my own art work, dream painting, journeys to India, and spiritual experiences . . . but in no way is this just another book from another 'artist on themself, as another artist, talking about their own art and nothing but their art - so help me God, how boring. In this book I have included the art of several dozen other visionary artists and comments from them on their work and my own perceptions of them, their creative proce! ss and creativity in general. My book explores the nature of artistic temperament, a transpersonal psychology and view on the question of inspiration and its source, art and healing, sociological and historical roles of the creative worker, and in our times, and how we in the postmodern age can connect to a creative process as a spiritual practice. The text is accompanied by over 40 full color plates and 50 b/w reproductions of about 25 artists, including some of my own drawings and paintings. I put love, passion - guts and soul into DRINKING LIGHTNING and I hope it lights a fire in you and that you thoroughly enjoy it!