One might ask, “Does inspiration come as a finished picture? Does it come as a written letter?” No, it comes to an artist as if his hand were taken by someone else, as if his eyes were closed and his heart was open. He has drawn something, he has painted something, and he does not know who painted it, and drew it.
Inspiration comes to a musician as if someone else were playing or singing and he were only taking it down — a complete melody, a perfect air. After he has written it down, then it enchants his soul. To a poet,
inspiration comes as if someone was dictating and he was only writing. There is no strain on his brain; there is no anxiety in receiving it.
It is, therefore, that many confuse
inspiration with spirit communication. It is natural that
inspiration should come from a being living just now on earth or from someone who has passed; yet the most profound
inspiration comes always from the divine
mind, and to God, alone, the credit is due. Even if an
inspiration comes through the
mind of a person living on earth or through a soul who has passed on to the other side, it still has come from God, for all knowledge and wisdom belong to God.
