Mindfulness
Process & Healing Arts
Mindfulness is the practice of bringing awareness to the present moment with an attitude of acceptance and non-judgment.
Mindfulness is described through systematic mental training that develops meta-awareness (self-awareness), an ability to effectively modulate one's behavior (self-regulation), and a positive relationship between self and the other that transcends self-focused needs and increases prosocial characteristics (self-transcendence).
Human nature is based on potentials that nurture and shape our path to wellness. The process of creating for the benefit of oneself is truly healing.
Excerpt from creative art journal
Nourishing Creativity
The beginning of the interpersonal relationship is to start a deeper acceptance of the inner self. But while seemingly easy to do, the act of self-acceptance can be challenging. Ask yourself honestly, do you accept every part of who you are unconditionally? When thinking of growth, we are often looking for the quick cure, one where we magically become a whole person with minimal effort. This is unrealistic. There is a passage from the book No Mud, No Lotus (2014) written by Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh that speaks to the need to understand and accept the good and the bad. The “mud” we encounter in life is hardship, perhaps emotional pain. We all want to find wellness, the “lotus”. But to do that it’s essential to find healing in life’s “mud”. From our compassion we grow, and we cannot have this growth without learning. “No mud, no lotus.” I bring this analogy up as it perfectly describes the essence of Art Therapy. Through the process of creative arts, we are strengthening our physical, emotional, and behavioral core. Art Therapy is the combination of physical and emotional release through the creative process. In mindfulness practices, this inner self is activated through acceptance of the present moment. The therapeutic aspects of art benefit our self-reflection, self-awareness, and emotional communication all of which contribute to a greater feeling of mindfulness.
Practicing Mindful Art
Mindful Art invites us to be playful creative, and present without judgment. We collaborate with chance and open ourselves to creative impulses. Cultivating self-discovery through Mindfulness infused art allows us to enter our expressive flow state.
When we create without judgment, we allow ourselves to let our inner artist speak. The images made in Mindful Art practices help us better understand our emotional needs, our physical sensations, and strengthen the mind/body connection.
Creative Art Journaling: Art journaling often combines techniques such as drawing, painting, writing, doodling, collaging, and sketching. Pages explore a prompt or theme or just play with a creative process.