Day 77 - Ch 7 - Art is a Spiritual Path

One can celebrate the creation of art with using recycle materials, or materials in the raw.  These are what some call trash.  Rather than judging these materials, we can learn from them.  One can also use old memories or stories to explore with curiosity how to see the abundance within one’s world.  A spiritual path is built upon developing a community, letting go of the urge to instruct or help, to be open to one may learn from experiencing or being witness to another’s work or creative process, dropping any judgment about the process.  Allen offers in her studio a safe community where the participates agree to the intention of doing no harm to another, and participating by listening compassionately.   Witnessing also develops the skill of dropping the need to find a solution.  In other words, being in the moment without judgment of the outcome.  Allen asks the reader to imagine what one’s world would be like if we created a world without judgments, supporting others through the act of compassionate listening without offering a solution.  She support this ideal through the use of a story of the woman in Purdah.  And reminds the reader how creations come into being through the use of imagination only through one’s exposure to information for an image.  Cultural information also adds influence, as well as one’s attitude.  Often parents offer their children cultural influences they may have had missed opportunities to explore.  Some view art, or the act of creating, as essential in ones’ development.  Yet for some see art or the act of creating as a waste of time or resources.  And in  some cultures, art or the act of creating politically, those seeking to oppose their government.  A more leftist view.  And for some governments, art or creating seemed unnecessary or a luxury especially if there was a war.  In today’s world, art provides a form of stress relief.  A way to process unresolved issues through exploring different methods to express one’s learning and discovering personal meaning.  One’s artwork can provide spiritual guidance.  The author suggests be willing to stay in the discomfort of not knowing.  And only work on one's own spiritual path. 

I encourage you to buy a copy of Art is a Spiritual Path for a better understanding of your own creative process.  Whether you're a master artist or beginning artist, this is an excellent book. 

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