Would you like more guided sleep meditations and sleep stories like this?

These are a lot of fun to make, I just need to make sure I don’t put myself to sleep while recording these. haha!

Big love,

D

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit artistmorning.substack.com

Okay, this is a bit of an experiment…

I am not sure if it will work, but I have a feeling it could be fun.

Do you want to help me write a guided meditation?

If so, all you need to do is reply to this and send me your favourite affirmations.

Even one single affirmation is more than enough. Or, if you have a few you really like, send them over.

I can’t promise I will use your affirmation. I say this because some affirmations might not work within my style of guided meditation.

But if I do use your affirmation, I will give you a special shoutout in the meditation description as one of the co-creators.

Sound like fun?

If so, reply to this email with your favourite affirmations or if you are seeing this on social media, you can either comment below or send me a direct message.

Big love,

D

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit artistmorning.substack.com

Big announcement! This Thursday at 9am (EST), I will be taking over Insight Timer’s Instagram page to guide a live practice called How To Become A Magnet to Creativity.

Maybe you’re wondering why someone would want to become a magnet to Creativity?

That’s a great question.

Most people think of Creativity as an outcome, like a painting, a book, or even a funny Instagram post.

But for me, Creativity is actually a lifelong relationship. Similar to a romantic partnership or even a best friend.

When we find ways to meaningfully and sincerely be in partnership with Creativity, she finds incredible ways to bless our lives.

When we have a healthy and loving relationship with Creativity, she continually finds us and wants to spend quality time with us.

It’s like the feeling of being in love—that feeling when everything seems possible.

We become vessels for divine expression and when this happens we start to get out of our own way and allow the best of us to show up in the world.

Becoming a magnet to Creativity can feel incredible, but it also has some amazing side effects:

* Our confidence grows because we are in flow and in alignment with the highest frequency of the Universe.

* Our productivity grows because we are regularly dancing with Creativity. Ideas, visions, and projects continually find us and use us as an open channel to be manifested into the world.

* Our sense of fulfillment grows because we are openly sharing more of our gifts and our heart with the world.

If you’re interested in any of the above, come join me this Thursday by tuning into Insight Timers instagram page at 9am (EST) and we will have some fun together. Make sure to bring your journal.

Everyone is invited!

Big love,

D

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit artistmorning.substack.com

A dangerous game to play in any major relationship is to be so preoccupied with what USED to be that we miss out on what’s happening NOW. So why do we do this to ourselves?

I’m in my 40s, and it’s taken me over a year to realize that the NEW ME is a very different dude from who I was a decade ago.

His core is the same as the old me, but he thrives under different circumstances. He has different tastes, needs, and desires.

At the beginning of 2024, the new me shared some non-negotiables:

• The new me needs movement every single day. The old me would go weeks or months without taking a (now mandatory) walk.

• The new me works out 7 days a week. This might sound extreme, but the workouts are less about big heavy weights and more about sustainable and supportive body nourishment.

• The new me does well with more sleep: 7 hours. The old me was more of a 5-hours-a-night type of guy.

• The new me meditates every day, but for not as long. 15-20 minutes is the sweet spot.

• The old me loved the news, but in a recent meditation the new me opened up about how online content impacts my mind and body. The new me doesn’t follow any news accounts.

• The new me rarely works past 6pm, and almost never on the weekends.

I’m doing my best to be present and honest with the new me, and to swap my old assumptions with an attitude of curiosity and excitement. It’s the same feeling as dating a new person.

The good news is you don’t need to wait a decade to meet the new you.

Yesterday at Artist Morning, I led a free guided meditation and journaling journey on this very topic. It was gentle and loving, but also direct and powerful.

The meditation will be on Insight Timer and YouTube in the next two weeks.

Now, I know we are in the middle of eclipse season and for many of us this is a great time for self-discovery. Maybe that means you don’t want to wait 2 weeks to get the meditation.

If this is you, and you’d like me to send you a high quality MP3 of the meditation right now, reply to this email with the words “new me” and I’ll send you a dropbox link.

Big love,

D

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit artistmorning.substack.com

“It is an impossible situation. Either we comply with Apple’s demands or Insight Timer will die. These are our two choices.”

This is what Christopher Plowman (the CEO of Insight Timer) said, understanding the gravity of the situation.

A few weeks ago, Apple blocked Insight Timer from being able to update their app on the iPhone App Store. Apple recently updated their Terms of Use and claimed Insight Timer was not in compliance.

Apple’s new policy calls for 30% of all revenue from digital content through streaming.

At the heart of this battle is a difference of opinion on what “digital content” means.

On the one hand, I believe Apple sees the future of streaming and wants to be properly compensated from it’s app developers.

For example, on a video game platform like Fortnite, the term “digital content” could be an in-app purchase of a shield within the game. The game developers create a small digital product once, which is on sale forever. Apple would receive 30%.

But Insight Timer has something called Live Meditations, which are often 60-90 minute custom experiences. The community can donate to teachers during these live events.

I’ve hosted several of these events on Insight Timer and they are so wonderful. So full of love, kindness and depth. The donations allow teachers like me to spend more time making meditations and spiritual wellness content.

100% of these donations used to go to its teachers, but now Apple needs 30%.

It makes no sense that these events are in the same “digital content” bucket, because it’s a totally different thing. And Insight Timer has no choice but to comply.

Over the last few years, Insight Timer has shared over $20 million of their revenues with their teachers. They’re the most generous platform I have ever worked with BY FAR and are legitimately making the world a better place.

They’ve helped so many of us on our journeys of meditation, mindfulness and wellness.

Now, Insight Timer needs our help.

So reply, share, repost and add your views to this conversation. Be heard. Tell Apple your Insight Timer story. Explain what this community means to you.

Together we are infinite.

Big love,

D

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit artistmorning.substack.com

Hello Artists,

I am working on something new and exciting at Artist Morning. For the first time ever, I will be launching a paid membership program for community members who want to deep dive with me and receive more direct mentorship and support.

Who is this membership for?

* People who are ready to share more of their gifts with the world

* People who want healthy accountability and are tired of working alone

* People with a growing To-Do List who want support to get s**t done

* People who find it difficult to stay away from online distractions

* People who are excited about growing as a community

Instead of building the membership offering on my own, I am co-creating it with the support of the community to make sure it has maximum value.

I’m inviting a small group of people from within the Artist Morning community to sample the program. This way I can get immediate feedback and optimize the membership.

One of the main components of the membership will be called “Deep Dives” and I’m looking for 10 volunteers to pilot the program.

(The membership will include two more interactive components, but today I want to focus on the Deep Dives.)

Deep Dives are a productivity method I have been using for over 4 years and this is how it works:

* We meet for weekly 2 hour Zoom calls and bring 3-5 tasks from our To-Do List.

* I guide us through a short grounding exercise before we dive in.

* We share what we’re working on for the first 25-minute dive.

* We leave our videos on and start working.

* At the end of each 25-minute dive, we do a quick check-in for progress and accountability.

* Then we rinse and repeat. In total there are four 25-minute dives within the 2-hour Deep Dive.

For the month of March and April I will be running the Deep Dive pilot program for FREE and fine-tuning the process for our Artist Morning community.

If you’d like to be included in the pilot, reply to this post/email with the words “Deep Dive”.

For the first round of Deep Dives, I am only looking for 10 people.

Big love,

D

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit artistmorning.substack.com

Hi, I’m Darius.

For the past 22 years I’ve been a creative entrepreneur and artist.

Many of you know me from my photography, some of you know me from my meditations, and some of you know me from the many videos I’ve shared on social media over the years.

I’ve created a lot of stuff in the last 2 decades:

• 1 million+ plus photos

• 2000+ videos

• 500+ podcasts

• 150+ guided meditations

Someone recently asked me if I’d be open to mentoring them in creativity, and it got me thinking about what my best advice would be. So today I’m sharing my best strategies for building creative muscle.

PHASE ONE: Build Your Dreaming Muscle

• Use guided meditation, guided visualizations and journaling to find the creative dreams inside your heart.

• Seek support and guidance to bring your dream out into the world. Write it, speak it, share it, feel it, see it and eventually BE IT.

PHASE TWO: Build Your Courage Muscle

• Create a weekly workout schedule for your creative courage.

• Write, make videos, take photos, or share your voice for 90 mins a day, 2-5 times a week. These are called creative sprints. No phones, no internet, no emails, no texts—just deep, focused work.

• At the end of each creative sprint, you MUST publish something (even if it’s on a private social media account at first). The point is to practice feeling the nerves and insecurities and doing it anyways.

• The more your mind and heart see that you will consistently show up to these workouts and continue to SHARE the new work, the less scary each sprint will be. As you build courage, what was once terrifying will become a walk in the park.

It’s easy to get caught up in the outcome: What will people think? Will my work be loved? Will I get views and comments? The truth is that the PROCESS is infinitely more important—especially if you want to create consistently (and perhaps professionally).

Which muscle (Dreaming or Courage) would you like to see grow must this year?

Big love,

D

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit artistmorning.substack.com

Perfectionism is a trap.

If you’re not careful, your idea or project can fall into the sinkhole that is perfectionism and be lost forever.

I have personally wasted too much time in the bottomless pit of perfectionism, waiting until I was ready or until the work was just right.

In other words, it to be perfect.

Now I know there is no such thing as perfect. It’s an illusion a mirage that steals our energy by convincing us that we are never good enough.

The good news is that there are specific ways to elevate yourself from the trap of perfectionism.

There are 7 pillars I use to supercharge my creativity and help me build forward momentum, and also to protect me from the bottomless pit of perfectionism.

I share a lot about these pillars in my 7 day course on InsightTimer called Supercharge Your Creativity.

Today I’d love to share more about Pillar #4: “Connecting with God”

There are many ways to connect with God or Universe, and prayer is one of my favourites.

I use this simple practice daily. I call it the Artist’s Prayer.

It helps me ground my energy and get me out of my own head.

It’s a reminder that my soul chose to come to this planet, at this time, in this human body so that I can fully express myself. That has nothing to do with being perfect or always getting it right.

This simple prayer also brings me back to love and service. Reminding me that by sharing my voice, my light, and my heart with the world, I can positively impact others.

I share the audio version of the prayer in the video above, or if you want the written version I have included it below.

—

Dear God,

Please use me as a vessel for your divine expression.

Use me as an instrument of your love.

Give me the courage to go into the depths of my heart and find my truth.

And the courage to speak my truth in my own authentic voice.

—

If you’d like to learn more about the 7 Pillars to Supercharge Your Creativity and Overcome Perfectionism here’s the link to my course. There are over 3300 students so far, with an average rating of 4.9 out of 5. —> Click Here.

I’m curious, do you use prayer in your daily life?

Let me know in the comments below or reply to this email.

D

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit artistmorning.substack.com

Most people don’t realize that dreaming is a skill. If you haven’t practiced it for a long time, there is a good chance you’re rusty.

But that’s nothing a bit of practice can’t solve. And like most things in life, honesty is the starting point.

If you want to bring as many of your dreams to life as possible, step one is getting super honest about what you want.

This step sounds easy, but in real life it’s illusive and full of landmines.

1. Just acknowledging that you have a dream takes a s**t ton of courage. You may end up face-to-face with all the times in the past you wanted something and you didn’t get it.

2. Additionally, dreams often bring up issues of worthiness and a lot of imposter syndrome. “Who am I to have a dream like this?!” “How selfish and greedy of me!”

Sometimes it gets to the point that it’s easier to bury the dream and pretend it no longer exists. Or you find a much safer dream and convince yourself that is what you really want.

Claiming your own dreams requires a lot of patience and love. I suggest going slowly.

First, create a safe container for yourself, with no judgement and with no limitations for what could be possible. Ask your brain to take the day off so that you and your heart can have a playdate together. You can refine your dream with your brain later, but first start with no boundaries and follow the joy in your heart.

The more time we spend imagining our dreams coming true, the greater the likelihood they will come to life. Especially when we share them with like-minded humans that support and believe in us.

I love hearing other people's dreams and yet, I still get nervous sharing my own. In these moments I remind myself that the nerves are just an indication that I am doing something new and exciting.

How do you feel about your own dreams?

Do you have a dream for 2024?

If so, how many people have heard you talk about it?

Big love,

D

PS: If you want to learn more about Artist Morning —> www.ArtistMorning.com

PPS: If you have any ideas on how I can bring my 2024 dream for Artist Morning to life, send me a reply. I know I can’t do this alone.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit artistmorning.substack.com

Hello Beautiful Human,

I’m so glad you’re here. My name is Darius and I am a meditation teacher, photographer, Substack author, and speaker. But I’m not here to talk about myself—instead, I want us to chat about something close to my heart:

I sincerely believe that all of us are artists.

Every. Single. Human.

So many folks think creativity is an exclusive club for “traditional” artists but it's not. It's woven into every aspect of our lives – how we feel, experience, and express ourselves. It's what our souls signed up for when they took this journey of living on Earth in human form.

Some people claim they're “not creative.” Maybe it's something someone told them when they were a kid or a belief that's been reinforced in countless ways over the years. But, at its core, it's just a story… And the truth is, even that belief is a creation.

Once we understand this, we realize that we have the power to redesign our identity in a way that better aligns with our hearts.

And that’s what we do as a community at Artist Morning. I'm thrilled to explore the wonderful world of creativity together.

Big love,

D

PS: Here’s a link to one of my Creativity Meditations. It’s great for anyone who wants to build some creative momentum.

PPS: Want to go deeper? The Artist Morning Deep Divers membership is now open!More information on what's included + sign up --> HERE.Darius BasharHEARTshots™ Photographer + FounderArtist, Creator, Meditator ArtistMorning.com™

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit artistmorning.substack.com