vdokhnovenije   (v`dokh*novenije)                      Russian 

Alexander Babyonyshev	The root of the Russian word vdokhnovenije originates from a common root in Slavic languages and in the Lithuanian "dukh".  The origin of the word  is most probably from Old Greek "Deus" - "God". The first time words "dukh, vdokhnovenije" occurred in the translation of the Bible from Old Greek into Old Church Slavonic in the meaning of "to bring into body God's spirit, life" . "And I will breathe onto Adam's face "dukh"(spirit), the God said, as vdokhnovenie from that dukh is the strength" (13-th century. It's remarkable that the literal meaning "blowing into, breathing into " and "vdokhnovenije " as an "inspiration" are all present in the usage of the word at this time.
The usage of the word in the contemporary meaning appeared in the 14-th century as an act coming from God.  In Russian culture the vdokhnovenie is associated mainly with literature and particularly poetry. The great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin used the word "vdokhnovenije" 100 times (89 times in the meaning of creative impulse (stimulation of the mind to a high level of creativity) and 11 times in the meaning of stimulation of emotions to a high level of feeling. In addition to that he used 89 times an adjective "vdokhnovennyi" - "inspirational".  For an educated Russian the word inspiration is associated with a portrait of a young Pushkin with a goose-quill in his hand. The lines from Pushkin's verses easily spring up in Russian person's mind in association with the word  inspiration. E.g.

Many famous Russian writers and poets had a keen interest in the moment when an inspiration dawned on an author. There is a Nabokov's story about the creation of a line in a verse ("Heavy smoke"). The great 20-th century poet Marina Tsvetaeva in her poem presented in the word "inspiration" its etymology playing on a literal and figurative meanings of the word. "... The breath of inspiration" (as it was mentioned before in Russian the root "dukh" can mean "spirit" and is a part of the word to "breathe in, to inhale'.
 

Marc Chagall, Birthday

In paintings the state of inspiration is presented by many painters e.g. by one of the best painters of the 20-th century Mark Shagall. A person who is experiencing inspiration becomes weightless and begins to fly. (see the picture "A birthday").

The enclosed illustration is a picture of one of the most famous painters of the 19-th century Ilya Repin "Portrait of the composer Anton Rubinstein" 1887

I experienced inspiration for the first time when I was 8 years old and read several books on history, including a book on history of Greek philosophy and science. I decided to write a book on World history but soon realized that I didn't have enough material. A similar effect was made on me by the book about explorer Roald Amundsen. I wanted to become an explorer, even didn't wear a warm coat in the Moscow winter when I was 15.  I began to work at my physical endurance, to develop asceticism in myself and even became a student of the Geological Institute.  Later I became a geologist and went to Siberia and lived in rather hard conditions for several months.

Incidentally, there exists such a peculiar thing as a negative inspiration. I am often inspired not by the achievements of other people but by the shortcomings in other peoples' work. I am motivated to write better and acquire a creative impulse.

Interview Questions

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"Inspiration comes and goes, but the lack of talent stays forever."  Russian Contemporary Saying
 

Edwin: How do you think the Russian experience of inspiration is different from the English one?

Alexander:  I think the concept of Russian "vdokhnovenije" doesn't differ much from English "inspiration". It's more a matter of emphasis on the association with creative activity in Russian. Consequently, we don't have such a notion and a corresponding expression as Inspiration Point. When we imply a religious connotation we have to add the word "religious" to "vdokhnovenije". Otherwise, when we say just "vdokhnovenije' we immediately think of a poet, artist, composer etc. However, it refers only to a noun. The verb "to inspire" has a broader meaning.

Ilya Repin. Leo Tolstoy in His Study. 1891. Oil on canvas. The State Literature Museum, Moscow, Russia. More.

I found this painting of Leo Tolstoy at his desk by Ilya Repin.  I find this has a gentile and subtitle feeling of inspiration.

References

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Stravinsky often claimed inspiration from his dreams. In his "Dialogues" with Robert Craft, Stravinsky explains the origin of the Octet:   "The Octuor began with a dream, in which I saw myself in a small room surrounded by a small group of instrumentalists playing some attractive music. I did not recognize the music, though I strained to hear it, and I could not recall any feature of it the next day, but I do remember my curiosity -- in the dream -- to know how many the musicians were. I remember, too, that after I had counted them to the number eight, I looked again and saw that they were playing bassoons, trombones, trumpets, a flute and a clarinet. I awoke from this little concert in a state of great delight and anticipation and the next morning began to compose the Octuor, which I had had no thought of the day before, though for some time I had wanted to write an ensemble piece -- not incidental music like the Histoire du Soldat, but an instrumental sonata. "