Meditation and the Creative Process
April 4, 2012
The creation of art is an interesting process. Most children revel in pretending to be plants breaking through the soil in spring, and will sing with all their hearts.
Later however, some people decide that they aren't talented enough, and close down their voices; deciding they are awkward, chubby or somehow 'wrong' for the dance--they stop. Somehow we are left with a professional class of artists whose specialized skills amaze us, and we become more distanced than ever from the joy of creativity.
As I became aware of the growing desire of mature, newly retired, and elderly people to move, vocalize, play instruments, and tell their stories, it was essential to bring them into a space of open-ness, acceptance and gentleness, so that they could actually express themselves. Meditation was the natural means of evoking this state.
People come back to their original goodness, kindness and sensitivity quite readily through the process of shamatha meditation. We always invoke our wisdom sources first, and set the intention that our work be of benefit to ourselves, each other, and all beings, and then use a simple technique of using our awareness to ride the outbreath.
The results we have harvested in the creative facilitation process bring tears to the eyes of audiences. Witnesses recognize themselves, feel inspired, and art making becomes possible for ordinary beings like ourselves once again. Whether we ultimately make the decision to perform our works or not, meditation opens a doorway to our own true hearts.
Later however, some people decide that they aren't talented enough, and close down their voices; deciding they are awkward, chubby or somehow 'wrong' for the dance--they stop. Somehow we are left with a professional class of artists whose specialized skills amaze us, and we become more distanced than ever from the joy of creativity.
As I became aware of the growing desire of mature, newly retired, and elderly people to move, vocalize, play instruments, and tell their stories, it was essential to bring them into a space of open-ness, acceptance and gentleness, so that they could actually express themselves. Meditation was the natural means of evoking this state.
People come back to their original goodness, kindness and sensitivity quite readily through the process of shamatha meditation. We always invoke our wisdom sources first, and set the intention that our work be of benefit to ourselves, each other, and all beings, and then use a simple technique of using our awareness to ride the outbreath.
The results we have harvested in the creative facilitation process bring tears to the eyes of audiences. Witnesses recognize themselves, feel inspired, and art making becomes possible for ordinary beings like ourselves once again. Whether we ultimately make the decision to perform our works or not, meditation opens a doorway to our own true hearts.
Posted by Suzanne Banay Santo.
