The Power of Inspiration

Many things
Come and go
Yet remain faithful to the world…

Emily Dickinson

The power of inspiration is truly extraordinary! It ignites the most sublime states, awakens impossible dreams, opens new horizons, creates the most beautiful works, and improves everything it touches…

We know that it cannot be easily found, even though we are constantly surrounded by its magical call. We also know that it cannot be easily preserved or transmitted into this visible world. It seems to come and go, like a breath of wind that sweeps over forgotten strings, yet faithfully and patiently waits in some hidden corner of ourselves…

It is not easy to define this simultaneously subtle and powerful state that speaks its elevated language far from routine and ordinary human preoccupations. But we can recognize it by the traces it leaves in works that continue to live their own lives, stirring entire worlds within us, revealing fragments of a great mystery. In dictionaries, we find that it is a sudden impulse for spiritual…

Inspiration is a special state of heightened clarity of perception, which can lead to, for example, artistic creation and scientific discoveries. The Latin root of the word ‘inspiratio’ leads us to concepts such as spirit, soul, life, breathe, and inspire, and it implies the process of revival, of initiating something.

Inspiration is a power inherent in every human being and is related to all human endeavors, not just artistic or scientific ones with which it is most commonly associated, but also philosophical, religious, and social ones, connected to all those individuals who have been a good example and a source of inspiration through their lives. Although it is not solely a privilege of the chosen “favorites” of fate, it is important to recognize its strength in the works of those who have dedicated their lives to selfless goals and have brought, each in their own field, the light of truth and hope. Inspired by this, we can change our perspective and break free from the whirlpool of our own shadows, and embark on creating our own small authentic works. The most important thing that happens in the process is the awakening of our authentic inner being or, as some would say, the true self. This is indicated to us by Goethe, through his work we are somehow reborn; by giving life to something, we truly become alive.

I have written my works as a sleepwalker. The poems gave birth to me, not the other way around.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Inspiration in Traditions

Ancient Greek artists and sages invoked divine inspiration from the muses, seeking their protection and assistance, constantly reminding themselves of their models and guides in their endeavors. Thus, in their traditional conception, inspiration is tied to the nine muses, nine goddesses of harmony and protectors of all human arts. They sing and dance, attracted to the light, beauty, and celestial harmony of Apollo’s sunlight. The muses awaken inspiration in all those who are willing to listen to them and be moved by a higher, holy breath and correct vision, as described in the Orphic hymn to the muses:

In all those whose hearts tremble
with your warm and holy breath,
the highest desires are realized.
Pure fountains of virtue for mortals,
you shape the O youthful spirit of perfection,
that nourishes the soul and gives it the power of discernment,
the correct vision that leads through truth.

Many true creators emphasize that their works are not solely theirs and that they are imbued with a divine inspiration that guides them throughout, despite all the inevitable efforts and obstacles.

In his work On Heroic Enthusiasm, Giordano Bruno speaks of the omnipresent divine light as the source and fervor of inspiration, which is always offered, calls and knocks on the doors of our senses and other cognitive powers of understanding…, but due to various circumstances and obstacles, it often remains excluded and retained outside. There must be a will for that encounter and a need for artistic enthusiasm within ourselves, and therefore Bruno turns to muses, praying for their help and comfort: Muses that inspire with profound knowledge, with whom I converse, revitalizing the spirit, the fountain that makes me pure and radiant, transform my death into life, cypresses into laurels, and my hell into heaven. The inspiration of the muses can ignite profound transformations within us, purifying us and liberating our highest part to shine with divine light. According to him, the abode of muses, Mount Parnassus, is the sublime favor of our hearts, and muses are the beauties of known thoughts in which enthusiasm comes to life. Enthusiasm is not forgetfulness, but memory… of love and longing for the beautiful and the good, through which one seeks to become perfect, transforming oneself and becoming more and more like him…, Bruno explains to us in a platonic language and adds: The heroically inspired person rises after embracing the kind of divine beauty and goodness, on the wings of intellect and the will towards divinity, leaving behind the lower…

A similar process is described by Plotinus in his Enneads, speaking of the long journey of transformation of the human soul that must be purified from the lower, evil, which pulls it down in order to rise towards the One, the Good from which it originated. The merging of the soul with the One happens in ecstasy, enthusiasm, where, as Plotinus says, we are outside of everything else, yet within ourselves. Then we see amazingly great beauty, and we firmly believe that. we possess a better destiny. The ultimate ecstasy is the distant end of the staircase of our evolutionary path that we patiently traverse, living virtues, guided by the excitement of noble aspirations and the conscious effort to belong to a higher world.

Inspiration means to me that mysterious state in which the whole world unites in great harmony, when every feeling, every thought resonates within me, when all natural forces become my instruments and when my whole body trembles.

Ludwig van Beethoven

Oh, to have wings – it is my long-cherished dream, / Oh, to fly towards the beauty of that flame, calls us Goethe, and Krklec advises us like a friend to listen to the voice of our heart, decisively venture into the night and surrender to the wings of the silver cloak of inspiration that will fall before us on the distant road, where our heart leads us… When the eternal flame of enthusiasm ignites, a special virtue of enthusiasm is activated in the deepest foundations of our being, a divine zeal with which we can inspire others and contribute our own chord to the magnificent harmony of the world.

However, let us not forget the importance of perseverance, persistence, and dedication, for it is through these qualities that we can truly achieve greatness and fulfill our chosen destiny.
Dear readers,

I am writing this article to express my deep gratitude for your continued support and interest in my work. Your feedback and encouragement have been a great source of motivation for me, and I cannot thank you enough.

Writing has always been a passion of mine, and to see it resonate with others is truly rewarding. I strive to bring you informative and engaging content that sparks your curiosity and offers new perspectives. It is my hope that my words inspire you, challenge you, and ultimately make a positive impact on your lives.

As I reflect on the journey so far, I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to collaborate with talented individuals who share the same passion for storytelling. Together, we have created unique pieces that have touched the hearts of many. None of this would have been possible without your loyal readership.

In the coming months, I have exciting projects and adventures planned that I cannot wait to share with you. I am committed to delivering content that is both thought-provoking and entertaining, and I eagerly anticipate your feedback on these upcoming endeavors.

Once again, thank you for your unwavering support. Your presence in this journey means the world to me. Together, we will continue to explore the limitless power of words and make a difference, one article at a time.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Nataša Žaja