When art touches the heart in a way which generates feelings of any kind, the artist themselves has a sense of validation of having transmitted or awakened a feeling in someone else. When the intention and energy which motivates the artist derives from their own experience of love and forgiveness, the possibility for similar feelings to arise in the viewer or listener exponentially increases.

Art forms a bridge between the soul of the artist and the soul of the “witness,” the one who perceives the art. The act of creation itself, whatever the content, is an affirmation of the artist’s freedom to create, a confirmation of their connection to an inner source of creativity. This inward connection is the original positive experience.

A variety of responses are generated from any art-form, and from any specific artist. When art touches us in a deep way, our feelings, ideas, beliefs, and perspectives can change in an instant. This is why art and music are one of the most powerful forces for change on the planet.

This reminds me how often my values have effected my art. Music, visual art, and now filmmaking, provide a platform for exploring and expressing my values —what I think of as my spiritual life. Here are some examples of this process in action:

While in high school, singing a cover song in a local coffee house I realized that the lyrics were not aligned with my own story—thus leading me to focus on creating original songs. Later that year, I spent a week at a yoga community in Northern California. Seeing a living example of spiritual life all around me, I wondered what held me back from moving into their community. Another student, also a musician, said, “You know, Michael, music has always been a spiritual path.” These words reminded me it wasn’t necessary to step into someone else’s idea of how to live, but to let the music and creativity in me be the guide, leading me on my way.

Years later, my father’s death coincided with a realization of the power of music in supporting people nearing their exit from this world. This in turn led to bringing the art of intuitive songwriting into hospice, providing original songs for the dying person and their family. Later, this same impulse led to creating Graceful Passages, a spoken word and music project which became a leading audio resource in reducing anxiety at the end of life.

My own joy in spontaneous song-making led to sharing this possibility for others, forming the basis for workshops which have helped thousands of people, many with creative blocks since childhood, reconnect effortlessly to their own musical essence. Currently this program, called SongSourcing, is in development for young people to express their feelings in spontaneous song.

My intuitive sense about a universal creative pulse in everyone led to producing the film series, “In Search of The Great Song,” interviewing people around the world about their connection to this pulse, and their unique expression of it. The first feature-length film in the series, “Shining Night,” about a composer whose inspiration comes from nature, has found resonance in many, receiving awards in film festivals across America and premieres worldwide.

I believe what brings us joy, or what makes us feel most alive, is what invariably becomes the fertile field from which our creative expressions grow. Where these expressions take us is without limits. Staying true to our own medicine, our own essence, results in a signature of authenticity—whatever form our artistic expression may take.