I read with interest a recent article in the New  York Times about the resurgence of interest in hallucinogens. As a child of the 60’s and 70’s it was one of the most common creative myths of all back then — that to be truly creative you had to do drugs. In my social circle of the time, mostly budding artists or film makers, nearly everyone experimented. The myth started even before the 60’s though.  Musicians like Louie Armstrong were doing songs about marijuana as early as the 1920’s.  “Muggles” was recorded by Louie back in 1928 (It’s on iTunes and well worth a listen). Fats Waller recorded “The Reefer Song.”

The myth of the link between drugs and creativity persists to this day. It’s hard to deny that there is some connection, but the worst part of the myth is that some people believe it’s the only way.  I’m talking about getting beyond being high and arriving at the creative alter of Perspective Shift.

I’ve thought a lot about this business of freeing oneself up to be creative with drugs. I think it’s a lot of crap! Here’s why I think so.  To me, the high you get taking something is only the means to an end.  The real high, for creative people, is not so much about intoxication, it’s about Perspective Shift. Sure, you feel no pain when stoned, pick your poison, but the real thrill for those seeking creativity is the Perspective Shift.  With PS, marvelous things happen.  You get insights, you have a new flow of ideas, you question assumptions, you re-examine the obvious with fresh eyes, in short, you feel a burst of creativity.  And my friends, that is a high that is very hard to beat.

Artists, mystics, and creative people of all stripes (yes, even business people) have worshipped at the alter of perspective shift for years. They seek PS and will do almost anything to get it. Drugs are one fairly easy and, on the surface, dependable way to achieve PS. The warning label on a pack of joints should be — “Warning: if you don’t want perspective shift, don’t smoke this!”  The bad news about using drugs to achieve perspective shift is obvious, they’re addictive, they harm your health, and ultimately are not as reliable for PS as you think. Breaking a writers block is great, but if what you wrote stoned is indecipherable afterwards what have you really gained?  Except 5 pounds from eating pizza with potato chips on top!

My point in this post is a simple one: there are other, better, safer ways to get to Perspective Shift. I learned this the hard way, and, the good news for me is that when I’m faced with a creative challenges now, I have tools to use that are 100 times more effective than drugs.  I’ve got structured methods like CPS (see Jack’s Notebook) I’ve got tools like excursions, meditation, visualizations, walking the labyrinth, forced associations, improvisation games, and even good old exercise. And music, if you want a perspective shift, try Pat Metheny, or Stevie Wonder’s Journey Through The Secret Life of Plants, or even old Louie Armstrong.

And I’ve got something even more profound than tools — I’ve got faith in my own creative power.  I know it’s inside me, and I know if I keep at it good things will happen.

When I think about artists like John Belushi, who I loved, I realize that part of what snared artists like him is a lack of faith in their own ability. His belief in the myth overpowered his belief in himself.

So, people, keep tabs on the interesting research on drugs, but while you’re waiting for the magic pill, try some tools and some faith to invoke your creativity.  If you need a tool, just ask me!  You’ll get to the alter of perspective shift without a magic carpet ride.  You’ll get there on your own steam and you’ll feel, and be, all the more creative for it.