Thursday, April 9, 2015

ART of AWE

For me ART is a the metaphor for living life.  A for me is about Acknowledging all my blessings and all things especially the mystery.  R for is me is about Respect, treating everything as divine or sacred.  People, places and things all have a unique and special place and role.  Finally T is about Transform, or how I best use those things that are here and now.

There are so many forms of ART and ways to be an artist. Expressing my gratitude is my ultimate form of motivation to apply my creativity to show my thanks. Acknowledging what is true, Respecting this truth and Transforming this truth to be of greater service. 

Rumi once acknowledged, “there are hundreds of ways to kneel down and kiss the ground.” This for me is a natural remedy for my “dis-being-at-ease” or mental disease. I sometimes visualize a vibrant white light with mystical power mending my broken heart. Accepting this truth is my first step toward liberation. The power of healing spirit surrounds us if only we can skillfully perform a sort of heart surgery. Since all our “issues are in the tissues” what about the ongoing involuntary circulatory pump that symbolizes not just our compassion but also the source of courage. Acknowledging what is truly happening gives me new possibility toward greater freedom.

Respecting life is truly showing up.  We are at critical time where the spirit of earth is knocking at our individual and collective doors. Can we show our respect and allow it in? I wish to liberate myself by opening my heart to a greater reverence for life. How I respect what is deep in my soul is a fearless act.

When I transform my attitude toward things I become gentle with myself  This transformation of kindness is the final artful step.  Our very earth and body are screaming out to be seen, heard, healed and prayed for and we can transform the here and now by listening .

Quieting my mind and listening to my heart is how I have been transforming my stress to see the opportunities it creates. If I can show up with the good and bad while treating them as equals. Showing up to what transforms my heartbeat I can learn how to manage it and reverse the damage stress and worry can cause. I believe the all wise and enlightened being have found peace this way. If I can transform my consciousness to find my heart, the more grace and inner peace I can cultivate.

Wise teachers from the beginning of time have learned about the power of  ART allowing us to mend our broken hearts. Just acknowledging positive feelings such as appreciation, care, or compassion, I can create dramatic changes in my heart rhythms. Exercising respect lessens my stress and anger and leads to my greater well-being. This then transforms a chain of biological changes including lessening blood pressure and stress hormone levels. I can increase my immune system activity, and anti-aging hormones by simply focusing on my heart energy.

ART engage my heart, body, and mind into balance. Quieting my mind and acknowledging my heart widens my sense of respect and transforms my worst shadows.  ART provides me with the courage to be present to even the greatest things that haunt me. Whether things are a blessing or a curse, Rumi writes about ART when he said;

Be grateful for whatever comes.
Because each has been sent
As a guide from beyond.


May we all awaken with this exercise of Acknowledging truth, Respecting life and Transforming our hearts!

Monday, March 16, 2015

Initiation Song from the Finders' Lodge


Please bring strange things. 
Please come bringing new things. 
Let very old things come into your hands.
Let what you do not know come into your eyes.
Let desert sand harden your feet.
Let the arch of your feet be the mountains.
Let the paths of your fingertips be your maps
and the ways you go be the lines on your palms.
Let there be deep snow in your inbreathing
and your outbreath be the shining of ice.
May your mouth contain the shapes of strange words.
May you smell food cooking you have not eaten.
May the spring of a foreign river be your navel.
May your soul be at home where there are no houses.
Walk carefully, well loved one,
walk mindfully, well loved one,
walk fearlessly, well loved one.
Return with us, return to us, 
be always coming home.

- Ursula LeGuinInitiation Song from the Finders' Lodge