[schema type="review" pubdate="2014-09-21" user_review="10" min_review="10" max_review="10" schema type="review" url="http://billyfranks.com/" name="Billy Franks" description="Glimpse into the creative process in this Google Hangout video between Billy Franks and Michael J. Emery." author="Michael J. Emery" schema type="review" rev_body="A conversation with the troubadour Billy Franks discussing paradigms, the artistic process and belief systems. Learn more about creative visualization." ]
The Power of Music and Visualization in the Artistic Process
A little over a week ago I had the opportunity to have a conversation with the troubadour Billy Franks and we discussed many things ranging from paradigms, the artistic process, creativity and the power of belief systems. Billy and I had been in contact for a while exchanging e-mails concerning these topics and the concept of leaving the safe harbor that society tends to create for us. For me personally, it seems as though it's the work of every artist, and I would include every individual on the personal development path, to break free from societal attachments and pursue one's individual depths.
The Artistic Process is the Hero's Journey
For many this can be an exploration into the unknown that can be both awe-inspiring and terrifying. One of the themes that we continued to go back to was that even though we are each alone on this path of self discovery, there are many that have gone before us. During the conversation I was reminded of a quote by Joseph Campbell who stated in The Hero with A Thousand Faces:
We have not even to risk the adventure alone, for the heroes of all time have gone before us — the labyrinth is thoroughly known. We have only to follow the thread of the hero path, and where we had thought to find an abomination, we shall find a god; where we had thought to slay another, we shall slay ourselves; where we had thought to travel outward, we shall come to the center of our own existence. And where we had thought to be alone, we shall be with all the world.
This quote has been a powerful, driving force in my life and in its essence the common ground that Billy Franks and Michael Emery share even though we have unique paths. He the musician and I the coach. The element is that we are both seekers and have long since left the common path. I see this element in every individual who goes against the status quo - regardless of whether or not they are an artist, an inventor, a scientist, a philosopher, an athlete, etc... The known has known limitations and to pursue one's own path is the beginning of the great work.
The Power of Meditation Music, Guided Imagery, NLP and Self Hypnosis
One of the things in the conversation that we had was regarding the power of music and music is an influential component in nearly all of life's major experiences. From the battlefield to the bedroom, music plays a powerful role and while Billy approaches his music as a troubadour, I have attempted to approach music creation is a craftsman. My purpose is to create an environment in which individual begins to pay more attention to their internal experiences rather than the external experiences. This is the basis behind my meditation, hypnosis, and guided imagery audio programs. The difference between my work and that of others is that I do my best to include as many NLP elements as possible to keep the listener moving towards the desired outcomes within a specific context. Language is powerful especially when it is used intentionally.
This was a fun interview and I look forward to keeping the conversation going with Troubadour Billy Franks!