In our daily life when we get bored at home, we switch on TV and when nothing interesting comes, we end up even more bored. At work to take a break we start surfing net or get into chat with friends. But there are some who start doodling on paper. Effortlessly. And sometimes they get so lost in a kind of meditative state, that they forget their surroundings. It gives a much desired and satisfying break from the world of mechanism. You are in direct physical touch with what you are doing. Another aspect to this, that one can think of great ideas while doodling. According to the book called ‘Small Wonder, Making of Nano’ This Rs. 1 lakh Car was born out of idle doodling by Ratan Tata in some boring board meeting.
This meditative state is Creative meditation or Art meditation. Meditation in action. Creativity.
The difference between doodling and art meditation is the detail in the drawing.
It gives a meditation like experience by creativity on paper. Initially one has to make efforts to get into detailing but after a while it is an effortless act and one is totally lost in it. Like Thomas Merton, a 20th Century American Catholic author said “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”
Art is a way to stay focused for hours
If you think about it, how many people can sit that long in meditation? Art is a way to stay focused for hours its a kind of trick in a way…you don’t know that’s what you are actually doing, your thoughts empty and you merge with the image. Various artists shared their experience like Andrew Kuntz a Canadian artist, who specializes in glass painting, says “I find working with glass meditative, almost therapeutic. I can leave the world behind, and focus…” and Janet Fish, an American contemporary realist painter, says “For me, painting is like meditation… “
How does it work?
After giving a paper and pencil eraser and sharpner you will be asked to draw a thing of your choice. I’ll guide you to detail it out. If you can’t decide, (for example) you will be guided to start with some thing as simple as filling an outer shape of a tree with leaves or fill an empty space with pebbles of different shapes and sizes or grass blades. You don’t need to follow any order or pattern, just feel free to do it your way. For example if you are making grass blade, make one bending towards left, next can be bending towards right, then next can be pointing downwards, then one can be straight pointing upwards….. Idea is to make a whole field of grass one by one, Do you think one requires major drawing skill for it? Not at all…I can even give my sketch if you don’t want to draw. Just start colouring it in detail the way you want. If you prefer to draw , you will be guided to colour each and every leaf or pebble with light and depth. Let it be done at your own pace. No hurry! You can even take it home and do whenever you feel like. But the key is honest detailing. Because that’s what is going to transcend you to the meditative state. You will feel like God…like God created each and every leaf in the tree and pebbles on river bank. So shall you on paper. like Pablo Picasso said “God is really only another artist. He invented the giraffe, the elephant and the cat. He has no real style. He just goes on trying other things.” And at the completion of painting, the sense of accomplishment will be tremendous for you.
You just can’t have enough of it and would come back to paper again and again for a new drawing.
Why art meditation?
To experience the freedom of not following any set pattern or method and realize our true nature, instinctively which is not meant to follow any pattern.
Because even nature has no pattern, no two leaves are same, no two clouds appear same, no two tree grow in same way. No two rocks are same. Not even two rudraksh are same, So pattern and method is only in our minds… once we free our minds from it, the experience is total bliss. We love the company of nature because it gives us a sense of freedom from set pattern and magnanimity. It is a great teacher too which teaches to keep on doing ones duty without any obligation.
What are its advantages?
You can do it sitting anywhere at work or at home, whenever you have time. Only paper, pencil, eraser and sharpener are required to practice it. The idea is having a blissful state, while being in the thick of mundane life. “Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.” Says Twyla Tharp, an American dancer and choreographer. French Fauvist and Expressionist painter said “For me, painting is a way to forget life. It is a cry in the night, a strangled laugh.”
What does it have for you?
Even after doing other forms of mind controlling practices, and being well established and successful in your fields, you feel trapped in patterned and mechanical life, be it in inter personal relationships, work place or even while having attractively packaged holidays. After every holiday you want to go back to it again. Since you are actually not rejuvenated but felt so only while being there. you get into new relationships or change jobs for fulfillment. But after a while it’s same again. Thanks to telecommunication and internet the world has become so close yet you feel lonely. May be too much closeness is also not good. So this meditation tells you “ You have lived like adult, now try being a child again. ” Why child ? a child is not ruled by any method or pattern till he start going to school. And he is always busy with something. So get busy like a child without following any pattern. Empty your mind n soul on a piece of paper and go light!
Reminds me of what Picasso said –
Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.
Why should you practise it?
We all dream to be a boss of our own. So by doing ART MEDITATION you will feel like not only your own boss but God.
How does it help the mind & body?
Art Meditation is an effortless relaxation practice for mind and body.
