Alex gave great answers, not surprised there. He is a musical/lyrical genius. His songs & band have touched many in different ways. Im thankful & grateful to have found them, just a few months ago. They are legendary!
I have an "everyone poops" philosophy, and use it to keep the playing field level if I ever feel someone is imposing their will in a destructive way. If I am asked to do something that goes against my instincts, I simply remind myself that everyone poops, and in a humorous way am able to reclaim my autonomy, creatively and in every other way. That same mentality also makes it easier to challenge myself without fear of judgment from others. Finally, it keeps me mindful of my own place among others.
I wish Rainn didn't cut Alex off after nearly every question. Believe it or not but people clicked this video because they are actually interested in what he has to say.. hence the point of an interview.
I think nurturing your instinct comes through prayer and meditation , selfless sacrifice and service to humanity and by surrounding yourself with righteous people, I find righteous people are often those who are oppressed by the norms and pressures of conventional society, and have arisen to find their own voice distinct from that society.
Thank you dear Rainn for being too cool for school! SP rocks. And per your question, I nurture my instincts through yoga, meditation and tickle wars with my kids. There is nothing more instinctive for me to laugh when I am being tickled.
If I feel like I've lost my instincts in certain aspects, I will seek out the people closest in my life who I feel love me unconditionally, and who I have a lot of respect for, and who I know have my best interest at heart, and I will confide in them the way I feel and I'll talk to them in a way that will help me orient myself and get my balance back to being my fundamental self. it helps when I talk to them, because they know who I am, so they sort of help me find myself when I get a little lost.
For a while now I have had a real problem distinguishing between my egoic mind and my intuition. I doubt and judge every thought I have as to whether it's coming from an my authentic self & the source, or from my ego. Recently I've been trying to trust that if something comes up with a compassionate or creative intent then I should follow it, and simply leave the doubt behind.
Fun fact (at least for me): Nora Kirkpatrick who played the accordion on Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros also played Dwight Shrute's girlfriend in 9th season.
What I do to nurture my artistic instincts is to stop what I am doing and take moment to appreciate either nature or a work of art such as a painting, reading a poem or listening to some music.
keep the people who have moved me through out my life in my heart . share all the love i can. and shuffle my feet and keep the beat. keep it nurtured by keep on keeping on until the inspiration explodes in me. then act on it.
I keep my instincts sharp everyday, working with animals keeps me grounded and I have to listen, for the second I don't I'll get nailed or toothed LOL but seriously doing this for 32 years & growing up the the way I did, I listen to that inner voice all the time, it's my first and foremost guru :~)
When you feel overwhelmed by anything, than that's an opportunity to listen to artistic instinct. Just pick up your guitar/kazoo/viola da gamba or what have you & let that energy flow into the instrument & back into you & try to record it or write it down. Sometimes it's so obvious, you will memorize it on the spot.
Meditation and going with the flow. It seems the harder I try to be more instinctive, the further out of my grasp it is. When I stop trying, it's just there, and that allows my creative juices to flow also. I guess you could compare it to writer's block, the harder you try, the less you write, but when you take a walk, enjoy a nice meal, clear your mind, suddenly there it is, an entire chapter pouring from you.
How do I nurture my instinct? I follow it. I follow it because when I have previously followed it times before, I come out better than when I started. I think one of the most beautiful and captivating things about creativity is that it will continue to develop as long as you try and are proactive about it. You never loose your creativity. It's the greatest incentive there is to starting any artistic and creative endeavor. The more you try, the better you will be.
I create. Be it theatre, visual art, sound scapes of the world around me- whatever I feel the urge to do in that moment. I think it's so easy to be consumed by our doubt or our insecurities, that I have learned to simply act on most impulses if I see them to be harmless or constructive.
I try to push my self to do things; I ask my self what's my reasons of doing this, and what's the cause n effect, or what do I gain or lose from it...... I don't push my self as much as I want to, and I feel I need to.( I write poetry n rap)
I like to make sure I try something new from time to time, for no particular reason to initiate that action. That spontaneity usually goes against what I'd normally choose to do with my time, but I find that there are always little things that are genuinely new to me when I do this. The best of these sporadic experiences are usually meeting someone new.
I keep my instincts sharp by unplugging from the TV and computers and playing board games. It's a cool way to be still and strengthen the guts instincts. Especially the game Clue. ;-)
I am definitely into the habit of seeking approval from others whenever I have an instinct about something. I find myself immediately sharing my thoughts with friends and using their opinions to guide my next step. I've realized how foolish this is. So I've been practicing following my own heart, and nurturing those instincts by DOING, WRITING, and THINKING LESS. I guess that's why I've been travelling the last 2 months, and why my next step is hitch hiking down the Cali coast. It's what my instincts are telling me to do. So I'm going to do it. My decision. My consequences. My life! It feels good!
I like to separate instinct and and intuition. Instinct is more an animalistic gut feeling, while intuition seems to be instinct + subconscious and conscious mental activity. We pick up on so many things mentally that we aren't necessarily aware of that can be very useful info, and, when combined with our animal nature, we can have the best of our whole selves. For instance, first impressions of people and situations are worth so much more than after settling into a long term arrangement with them. If that makes sense...
I hadn't thought about it but I agree. Instinct is the swallows returning to San Juan Capistrano or one insect decapitating another after mating. These do not need nurturing, or necessarily even contemplation. Whether intuitions need nurturing is debatable. They need testing, and for their lessons to be embraced.
Great video and to get new ideas or to fight through a problem I usually go to the YMCA and excersise a little. I'm not super fit or any thing but if clears my mind and so I can think about different things in a new way
for me everything is through practice and exploration. I am a massive try-er. i have things i am good at but i don't necessarily love and to find what i love and i believe the perfect vocation is out there for me, i am just going to continually try and fail and learn and discover. thanks soulpancake
I just miss you so much from the office I'm without fucking words rainn, there will never be anything like it. When I'm lying on my death bed, I'll say the same thing. Bravo :)
Paint, or read. Anything. It helps relax and focus at the same time. Oh, and Alex, you should come visit Asheville, NC you would love it here and we would love you! ...although I'm a tad biased...
Alex, I must say, I am a huge fan. My question to you is, if you could sit down and have dinner with anyone (alive or dead) Who would you choose and why? Much love to you.
Something I do to nurture my instinct is to look up at the night sky. I look up and try to picture how vast it is. I then remember how insignificant our planet is in comparison to the universe and think of how many pointless things humanity worries about. From there I am able to focus on life's major issues.
I have to spend time with myself. in quiet, in nature. A nice long run, sitting under a tree, whatever. It helps me silence all the chatter and get that unquestioning calm center back. It's like a muscle, you gotta train it. :)
When people have instincts to be judgmental and to hurt others for self gain. So if Alex is "too excited" an instinct of another person would be to attempt and humiliate Alex for self gain as a response it's similar to a battle or war when in reality this sort of "war" is within a person's own being and instincts to disprove feelings or emotions of others. Similar to the internet slang "trolling" which is now has become a common or accepted practice to bother or annoy a person. It is important for people to look within and not use judgement and to be mindful of the way people around behave.
at the moment im trying to find myself and my instincts (again). i am kind of a 'chaotic mind' person...from january on i will travel some month in asia...hope that will help me to get to me and focus on important things again. love soulpancake exactly for this reason. alex, thanks for sharing some of your thoughts. please keep on doing great things! :)
Hey, great video guys. So, what I do to nurture my instincts and creativity is try really hard to turn off the stupid little voice in my head that "tells" me what people will think. Instead of thinking, "will they like this?" I think "do I like this?" and really check in to see what feels right for me.
That's something I'm struggling with right now. I'm a writer and feel like my instinct is really powerful, it's a strong force that's unique to me, and I've got a lot to say, but I'm really afraid of it, for some reason. I'm still trying to find that reason out. You guys are two cool dudes. Alex, if you read this, know that I love your message with ES&tMZ and that Ima Robot got me through middle school. :) Keep on keepin' on.
I struggle to follow my instincts. It's very easy to get bogged down by the demands of society when all avenues seem to be somehow tied to money. I feel most strongly that I do not want to leave behind a legacy of failure/debt/sadness... I guess, on the positive end, I just try to appreciate the opportunities and relationships I have.
My mama told me about this band, and now Rainn is so... Okay I will look up their musica now. Instincts get amplified by Mama Tierra and all of her gifts, duh! ;*
I hope you guys are still reading the comments three years later. I write all my dreams down and I hope to make them into a book. I submitted a dream for my college statement where I beat a transgender person who represented myself. I got a poetry scholarship. Love you alex, youre amazing I saw you guys perform at berkerly last june! I was the loud girl who got a few song reuquests
Very Cool and Deep video Rainn. Congrats Alex on your synchronicitic Magnetic Zeros. They say the big universe is connected to the little universe.Nurturing one's instincts, I love it. As I was watching that part on instincts it got me thinking about a PBS special about parrots, I recently saw and how we have to nurture there instincts to get there populations up in the wild. As a healer and Psychic I am always nurturing my instincts. I believe music and mediation are good nurturers of instincts. Thank You Rainn Thank You Alex for this awesome video. Keep doing your thing Rainn.
So this guy drives around Seattle looking for loner beatniks, forcing them into his hippie van and assaulting them with metaphysics? Rainn looks like that guy in the Walmart commercial.
he's just a beautiful human being. the world is such a ugly place filled with uglier people and then there are these few beautiful treasures like Alex.
i listen to Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros then paint a little because as Picasso said "Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life"
I really love that quote. I've never seen it before but it's something I want to remember.
Alex gave great answers, not surprised there. He is a musical/lyrical genius. His songs & band have touched many in different ways. Im thankful & grateful to have found them, just a few months ago. They are legendary!
Alexander Ebert is my idea of perfection and I love him with all of my soul.
I have an "everyone poops" philosophy, and use it to keep the playing field level if I ever feel someone is imposing their will in a destructive way. If I am asked to do something that goes against my instincts, I simply remind myself that everyone poops, and in a humorous way am able to reclaim my autonomy, creatively and in every other way. That same mentality also makes it easier to challenge myself without fear of judgment from others. Finally, it keeps me mindful of my own place among others.
I wish Rainn didn't cut Alex off after nearly every question. Believe it or not but people clicked this video because they are actually interested in what he has to say.. hence the point of an interview.
Surround myself with positive things. (People, music, books) etc. Sleep and meditate.
When I feel love, I listen and absorb every feeling in my skin, since that's why we are here in these bodies
Alex has this Ryan Gosling thing about him...does anyone else pick that up?
You mean a god-ly good looking thing? Cause I agree!
Blanket Fort Adventures also resembles casey affleck
I think nurturing your instinct comes through prayer and meditation , selfless sacrifice and service to humanity and by surrounding yourself with righteous people, I find righteous people are often those who are oppressed by the norms and pressures of conventional society, and have arisen to find their own voice distinct from that society.
Alex Ebert is just a rad dude.
Thank you dear Rainn for being too cool for school! SP rocks. And per your question, I nurture my instincts through yoga, meditation and tickle wars with my kids. There is nothing more instinctive for me to laugh when I am being tickled.
If I feel like I've lost my instincts in certain aspects, I will seek out the people closest in my life who I feel love me unconditionally, and who I have a lot of respect for, and who I know have my best interest at heart, and I will confide in them the way I feel and I'll talk to them in a way that will help me orient myself and get my balance back to being my fundamental self. it helps when I talk to them, because they know who I am, so they sort of help me find myself when I get a little lost.
For a while now I have had a real problem distinguishing between my egoic mind and my intuition. I doubt and judge every thought I have as to whether it's coming from an my authentic self & the source, or from my ego. Recently I've been trying to trust that if something comes up with a compassionate or creative intent then I should follow it, and simply leave the doubt behind.
Fun fact (at least for me): Nora Kirkpatrick who played the accordion on Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros also played Dwight Shrute's girlfriend in 9th season.
love these videos! I nurture my instincts by thinking about my past experiences and the experiences and realizations of myself and others
That high five tho
What I do to nurture my artistic instincts is to stop what I am doing and take moment to appreciate either nature or a work of art such as a painting, reading a poem or listening to some music.
I hang out with little kids. Even if I'm exhausted by the end, their exuberance is refreshing after days of the monotony of high school.
keep the people who have moved me through out my life in my heart . share all the love i can. and shuffle my feet and keep the beat. keep it nurtured by keep on keeping on until the inspiration explodes in me. then act on it.
I keep my instincts sharp everyday, working with animals keeps me grounded and I have to listen, for the second I don't I'll get nailed or toothed LOL but seriously doing this for 32 years & growing up the the way I did, I listen to that inner voice all the time, it's my first and foremost guru :~)
When you feel overwhelmed by anything, than that's an opportunity to listen to artistic instinct. Just pick up your guitar/kazoo/viola da gamba or what have you & let that energy flow into the instrument & back into you & try to record it or write it down. Sometimes it's so obvious, you will memorize it on the spot.
Meditation and going with the flow. It seems the harder I try to be more instinctive, the further out of my grasp it is. When I stop trying, it's just there, and that allows my creative juices to flow also. I guess you could compare it to writer's block, the harder you try, the less you write, but when you take a walk, enjoy a nice meal, clear your mind, suddenly there it is, an entire chapter pouring from you.
How do I nurture my instinct? I follow it. I follow it because when I have previously followed it times before, I come out better than when I started. I think one of the most beautiful and captivating things about creativity is that it will continue to develop as long as you try and are proactive about it. You never loose your creativity. It's the greatest incentive there is to starting any artistic and creative endeavor. The more you try, the better you will be.
I create. Be it theatre, visual art, sound scapes of the world around me- whatever I feel the urge to do in that moment. I think it's so easy to be consumed by our doubt or our insecurities, that I have learned to simply act on most impulses if I see them to be harmless or constructive.
I try to push my self to do things; I ask my self what's my reasons of doing this, and what's the cause n effect, or what do I gain or lose from it...... I don't push my self as much as I want to, and I feel I need to.( I write poetry n rap)
Finally someone who's asking new and interesting questions! Love you both!
Alex is so great, the whole band are just so chill!
Thank you Alex and Rainn.
To nurture I do things that make me smile.
I like to make sure I try something new from time to time, for no particular reason to initiate that action. That spontaneity usually goes against what I'd normally choose to do with my time, but I find that there are always little things that are genuinely new to me when I do this. The best of these sporadic experiences are usually meeting someone new.
I keep my instincts sharp by unplugging from the TV
and computers and playing board games. It's a cool way to
be still and strengthen the guts instincts. Especially the game Clue. ;-)
I'm a poet and I'll never ever be any good...
Saw them live, they were great.
He sounds and looks like Aaron Paul
and Ryan Gosling
s. Kathrynn Especially Jesus.
I am definitely into the habit of seeking approval from others whenever I have an instinct about something. I find myself immediately sharing my thoughts with friends and using their opinions to guide my next step. I've realized how foolish this is. So I've been practicing following my own heart, and nurturing those instincts by DOING, WRITING, and THINKING LESS. I guess that's why I've been travelling the last 2 months, and why my next step is hitch hiking down the Cali coast. It's what my instincts are telling me to do. So I'm going to do it. My decision. My consequences. My life! It feels good!
Same.
I have been waiting for your videos! Go SOULPANCAKE!
I like to separate instinct and and intuition. Instinct is more an animalistic gut feeling, while intuition seems to be instinct + subconscious and conscious mental activity. We pick up on so many things mentally that we aren't necessarily aware of that can be very useful info, and, when combined with our animal nature, we can have the best of our whole selves. For instance, first impressions of people and situations are worth so much more than after settling into a long term arrangement with them. If that makes sense...
I hadn't thought about it but I agree. Instinct is the swallows returning to San Juan Capistrano or one insect decapitating another after mating. These do not need nurturing, or necessarily even contemplation. Whether intuitions need nurturing is debatable. They need testing, and for their lessons to be embraced.
I hold myself accountable for the way I think and speak; self awareness is very important
Great video and to get new ideas or to fight through a problem I usually go to the YMCA and excersise a little. I'm not super fit or any thing but if clears my mind and so I can think about different things in a new way
Alex is so down to Earth...
his concertlet me tell you it was the best i've ever been to
for me everything is through practice and exploration. I am a massive try-er. i have things i am good at but i don't necessarily love and to find what i love and i believe the perfect vocation is out there for me, i am just going to continually try and fail and learn and discover. thanks soulpancake
I just miss you so much from the office I'm without fucking words rainn, there will never be anything like it. When I'm lying on my death bed, I'll say the same thing. Bravo :)
Paint, or read. Anything. It helps relax and focus at the same time.
Oh, and Alex, you should come visit Asheville, NC you would love it here and we would love you! ...although I'm a tad biased...
Alex, I must say, I am a huge fan. My question to you is, if you could sit down and have dinner with anyone (alive or dead) Who would you choose and why? Much love to you.
You guys don't even know how unbelievably happy this video makes me!
Something I do to nurture my instinct is to look up at the night sky. I look up and try to picture how vast it is. I then remember how insignificant our planet is in comparison to the universe and think of how many pointless things humanity worries about. From there I am able to focus on life's major issues.
Am I the only one who finds his voice reminiscent of Ryan Gosling's?
It's crazy that Alex talks about losing his instinct because i've been struggling with the same issue for about a year and i can't break free of it
I have to spend time with myself. in quiet, in nature. A nice long run, sitting under a tree, whatever. It helps me silence all the chatter and get that unquestioning calm center back. It's like a muscle, you gotta train it. :)
Finally, a new Metaphysical Milkshake!
When people have instincts to be judgmental and to hurt others for self gain. So if Alex is "too excited" an instinct of another person would be to attempt and humiliate Alex for self gain as a response it's similar to a battle or war when in reality this sort of "war" is within a person's own being and instincts to disprove feelings or emotions of others. Similar to the internet slang "trolling" which is now has become a common or accepted practice to bother or annoy a person. It is important for people to look within and not use judgement and to be mindful of the way people around behave.
he is beautiful oh my gosh
Ellen Herbera mmmmm yes Alex is just yummy
yes he's definitely beautiful outside and in.❤✌
love the show need new episodes quick
at the moment im trying to find myself and my instincts (again). i am kind of a 'chaotic mind' person...from january on i will travel some month in asia...hope that will help me to get to me and focus on important things again. love soulpancake exactly for this reason. alex, thanks for sharing some of your thoughts. please keep on doing great things! :)
I try to find the things that make my happy and I do them simple as that.
Trust yourself and instinct kicks in.
I just make sure I get a good night's sleep and then everything is all right in the morning.
Hey, great video guys. So, what I do to nurture my instincts and creativity is try really hard to turn off the stupid little voice in my head that "tells" me what people will think. Instead of thinking, "will they like this?" I think "do I like this?" and really check in to see what feels right for me.
This is literally my dream come true.
finally back!
Listen to music always seems to help me! :)
That's something I'm struggling with right now. I'm a writer and feel like my instinct is really powerful, it's a strong force that's unique to me, and I've got a lot to say, but I'm really afraid of it, for some reason. I'm still trying to find that reason out. You guys are two cool dudes. Alex, if you read this, know that I love your message with ES&tMZ and that Ima Robot got me through middle school. :) Keep on keepin' on.
Omg I never clicked like so fast after reading a tittle in my life. Two brilliant minds!
:) Loved it! My instinct is my best friend! Hugs from Portugal!
Loved it. I like clever. Fun is great.
what a beautiful man
I struggle to follow my instincts. It's very easy to get bogged down by the demands of society when all avenues seem to be somehow tied to money. I feel most strongly that I do not want to leave behind a legacy of failure/debt/sadness... I guess, on the positive end, I just try to appreciate the opportunities and relationships I have.
It's Magic, you know, never believe it's not so."
such an eloquent man 😍😍😍
My mama told me about this band, and now Rainn is so...
Okay I will look up their musica now. Instincts get amplified by Mama Tierra and all of her gifts, duh! ;*
I hope you guys are still reading the comments three years later. I write all my dreams down and I hope to make them into a book. I submitted a dream for my college statement where I beat a transgender person who represented myself. I got a poetry scholarship. Love you alex, youre amazing I saw you guys perform at berkerly last june! I was the loud girl who got a few song reuquests
yay! something good on the internet
Ahh a beautiful soul I'm so drawn to do magic with:)
fucking love his hair :D wanna know how he does that
I'm in love. Again
Very Cool and Deep video Rainn. Congrats Alex on your synchronicitic Magnetic Zeros. They say the big universe is connected to the little universe.Nurturing one's instincts, I love it. As I was watching that part on instincts it got me thinking about a PBS special about parrots, I recently saw and how we have to nurture there instincts to get there populations up in the wild. As a healer and Psychic I am always nurturing my instincts. I believe music and mediation are good nurturers of instincts. Thank You Rainn Thank You Alex for this awesome video. Keep doing your thing Rainn.
Best ever!
Take a walk into nature 🐾🌲 Explore the unknown 🍃🍃🍃🍃
i nurture my instincts by eating DOUBLE CHEESE BURGERS
is that Dwight Schrute from the office like I swear it's him
Reverse magnetism :D #lovethisshow
what does alex mean when he says XWNC (perhaps XWNC)?
I am not familiar with the american slang.
he said xyz
yeah, youre right.
My instinct is really good at detecting bullshit.
What's up? Genio!
Alex, we need to hang out sometime.
I read
If Ryan Gosling, Casey Affleck & Aaron Paul had a child.
should've made the magnet a 0
...
magnetic zeros
...
Rainn, please stop fucking around and get ze Frank or John krasinski on the show!
to nurture my instinct?
I don't ignore coincidence.
So this guy drives around Seattle looking for loner beatniks, forcing them into his hippie van and assaulting them with metaphysics? Rainn looks like that guy in the Walmart commercial.
My answer to your question is, l MEDITATE.OM. NAMESTE 🕉️ PEACE AND LOVE TO ALL
AMARte
I think 30 seconds for the end of the video is to much!!
Meditation.
he's just a beautiful human being. the world is such a ugly place filled with uglier people and then there are these few beautiful treasures like Alex.
Working.
I find my instinct dies when I let everything drop and pretend I have no responsibilities to contribute to society.
Alex sort of reminds me of Ryan Gosling.. sometimes..
Haha…thought the exact same thing! :-D
sleep
Yoga
I was trying to pay attention to the ideas brought up in this video but Mr. Ebert's beautiful face distracted me.