Creative Codex

Join me for a journey back to a time when alchemy was revered by Kings & Queens and practiced in the courts of nobles. A time when Prague was the alchemical capital of the world–drawing occultists to it from all of Europe, and ruled by a King who supported esoteric spiritual practices. Along the way we will find direct parallels between Jung's Red Book and the work of the alchemists, leadi...

What is the hidden link between play and creativity? Why do we discourage adults from play? How do you heal your relationship with play and improve your creativity? As we journey from childhood into adulthood, the world demands that we abandon play and daydream–relegating them to the domain of childhood. But of the many sacrifices we all must make in our transition into adulthood, this sacrifice i...

Beneath the surface of Western history––deep within its cavernous tunnels––flows a river of gold. On this episode we explore the essential concepts of alchemy, alchemical artwork, Jung's theory regarding the projection of unconscious material, inexplicable dreams with alchemical symbolism, the paradox of consciousness & matter, and the unique role of revelation in alchemy. In the end, we r...

What is alchemy? Where does it come from? When did it begin? What does Jung find in alchemy? What does it represent to him that is so important, so profound, that it causes him to abandon his inspired work of the Red Book? It’s time to find out.  ∞∞∞∞∞ Join the Creative Codex mailing list:  https://mjdorian.com/mail/ ∞∞∞∞∞ Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to exclusive episodes,...

This is a special guided meditation episode which takes you on a journey to meet your inner child and start a dialogue with them. It is inspired by Dr. Carl Jung's active imagination method.  My hope is that this meditation will introduce you to a new way of relating to your inner world. A way that is playful and engages one of the most powerful and seemingly overlooked tools humans have: imag...

This is the final part of a three part series about the legend of performance art: Marina Abramović. In this episode we explore Marina & Ulay's hypnosis inspired performance pieces, we follow them into the Australian outback for their six months living with aborigines, and finally explore what leads to their last performance–walking the Great Wall of China. Pieces discussed in order of app...

Why do we start journals with so much enthusiasm, only to lose interest within a month? What is the point of a good journal? What are the profound benefits of journaling and how do we engage them? On this Creativity Tip, we explore the possibility that we are all journaling wrong. Pop culture has handicapped our ability to journal effectively, romanticizing the 'art of journaling' and exte...

This is Part 2 of a three part series about the legend of performance art: Marina Abramović. On this episode, we explore her intense relationship and art partnership with Ulay. The narrative weaves its way through their thirteen year collaboration, focusing on their early years, first performances together, and their Art Vital manifesto which encapsulated their life and art. --------- Support Crea...

This is Part 1 of a three part series about the legend of performance art: Marina Abramović. On this episode, we explore her childhood, Marina's first forays into art, and her controversial Rhythm series. In a first for podcasting, we explore her performance art through sonic simulations of the works as they are discussed. Her artworks as they appear in this episode: Rhythm 10 (1973) Rhythm 5 (197...

This essay was inspired by the listeners of Creative Codex. It is dedicated to all the young artists who are unsure of their place in the modern world, and all the well intentioned parents, who want to encourage their child's creative journey. To them I say: art is not an option–it is a necessity. You can read this essay here: https://mjdorian.com/essays/   In the process of writing Letter to...

The Hell Panel of Hieronymus Bosch is considered the most infamous depiction of Hell in art history. On this episode, we will venture deeper into Bosch's Hell than anyone has ever ventured before. At its depths we will find philosophical insights, critiques of the Catholic Church, and Bosch's visionary creative genius on full display. View a video companion of this episode on Spotify: https://open...

Have you ever noticed that you mirror your closest friend's habits and interests? Have you ever wondered: 'how do I think like Leonardo da Vinci or Albert Einstein?' On this creativity tip, we are going to explore something we all do naturally: mirroring. And how we can use to inspire our creative work in new and unexpected directions. ----- Want to buy me a coffee or throw some coin in my 'fancy...

Hieronymus Bosch created one of the strangest and most talked about paintings in art history: The Garden of Earthly Delights. But there is a riddle hidden in the garden: is it an idyllic paradise or a sinful false paradise? On this episode, we will dive deeper than ever before to search for the answer. Other questions we will explore on this episode: what makes The Garden of Earthly Delights a wor...

Imagine if you were a student of Leonardo da Vinci during the height of the Renaissance? What would you learn? All the secrets of oil painting, the hidden proportions of human anatomy, Leonardo's philosophy on life...Let's find out. On this episode, we explore Leonardo da Vinci's Treatise On Painting through three lectures on Proportion, Anatomy, and Color. We stumble onto the invention of 'orange...

On this minisode, we’re going to explore the physical and creative benefits of napping. I’ll share with you my personal method for easing into a nap practically anywhere. And we will answer this question: are there any creative benefits to napping? Dorian's Nap Method: Set your alarm for 17 - 20 minutes. Lay down on a bed (with a sleep mask) or elsewhere, like a car (with sunglasses). Slow down yo...

Today in Creative History: August 18th, 1969, Jimi Hendrix plays a visionary rendition of The Star Spangled Banner for a stunned audience at Woodstock. It's a performance that will go down in history as the musical climax of a tumultuous decade in the USA. Decades later, this rendition still sounds as startling to our ears as it must have to the tens of thousands in attendance.  If you'd like...

At this moment, strewn across the world, there exist over 7,200 pages of Leonardo da Vinci's notes. These pages are not only echoes of a distant past–embodying the inquisitive spirit of the Renaissance–according to scholars and historians they represent the 'greatest record of curiosity ever created'. Join me for this special two part series, as we dive into the thoughts, artwork, and paradoxes of...

This is a Guided Meditation episode about one of the most perplexing aspects of creativity: Intuition. What is it and how do we engage it more effectively? This meditation is based on a technique I've been developing called: Intuition Mapping. Grab a cup of coffee / tea, and give this guided meditation a test drive to see what compulsions are pushing and pulling you. Some helpful notes: • Motivati...

Leonor Fini did not limit art to the confines of the frame, for her, it spilled out into all of life itself. Every year, Fini and her two lovers, Stanislao & Kot, would host soirees at an abandoned monastery on the island of Corsica. If you were invited, it meant you were part of her inner circle. The only requirement was: come dressed in a mask and costume–the more elaborate, the better. Join...

Leonor Fini was one of the most prolific and mysterious artists of the 20th century. Her career spans an impressive 67 years, she completed over 1,100 oil paintings, and her art was featured in over 350 international gallery exhibitions during her lifetime. Yet she is virtually unknown to us today. Her art and career are shrouded with the mystery of a sphinx's riddle. This is the story of Leonor F...

Why make art during times of turmoil? Why make art in times of war? Why should you even be creative when it feels like the world is burning? In this minisode, we explore the reason why we need art to help us transcend our darkest times. --------- Cover Art: Photograph by Joseph Eid, 2017. The man pictured is Mohammed Anis, a civilian in Aleppo, Syria. He sits on his bed, with a pipe in his hand, l...

On this episode, we will conclusively answer this question: why was Gnosticism so important to Dr. Carl Jung? Along the way, we will dive deep into Sermons 5 thru 7 to answer these questions: what is the relationship between spirituality and sexuality? How does Jung's libido theory differ from Freud's libido theory? What is the significance of the dove and the serpent in religious symbolism? Accor...

When the Nazi Party came to power in Germany, in 1933, one of their first goals was to reshape culture by force. The Nazis organized book burnings, stormed artist studios, confiscating work they disagreed with, and fired contemporary artists from teaching positions in universities. The goal was to place limits on human expression–an ominous display for what was to come.  Visit the companion g...

NOTE: Spotify has removed Part 3 of this series due to a copyright claim by Nirvana's record company. (A Nirvana song was used in the intermission segment to promote my Kurt Cobain series.) I have stitched Parts 1 to 3 of the Seven Sermons series together into one super-episode which you can listen to for FREE on my Patreon (no signup required) here: https://www.patreon.com/collection/1838953...

This is a special Video Bonus episode of Creative Codex! Our show has been selected by Spotify to showcase the new video options for podcasters on Spotify. If you dig it, please share it with someone! (The video playback is currently only supported on Spotify.) ( This video bonus first appeared on the Creative Codex Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9xwt3hz49VBbgqN80driTQ ) ------...