LESSON 3
PART 1 - ATMOSPHERE
“Darkness is lack of light as sin is lack of love. It has no unique properties of its own. It is an example of the scarcity belief, from which only error can proceed. Truth is always abundant. Those who perceive and acknowledge that they have everything have no needs of any kind. The purpose of the Atonement is to restore everything to you; or rather, to restore it to your awareness.”
- A Course in Miracles -
In order to create we need in the first place to be ready to go through the darkness – before we step into light.
The so called dark night of the soul comes just before revelation. It’s a purging process that calls
us to release all that is in the way of our highest good.
Like in birth and death there is this moment where everything seems lost, all seems pretty dark before the new life is about to emerge. This lack of light and love is the birthplace for sacred belief. It’s the ‘petite mort’ where we surrender and let go, where we show willingness to dive through and even further. We realize that struggle, resistance, fear, doubts, all of this heaviness is in the way of growth. When we are ready to step back the energy shifts and whatever is moving through, whatever comes along the way – It's flowing into every creation, into life itself.
“It is your forgiveness that will bring the world of darkness to the light.”
-A Course in Miracles -
Let’s create our own symbols, our own patterns to form our path and the atmosphere of her. There will always be moments when we feel lost, when we don’t know what to do. How wonderful!
In full regalia we master ourselves by being brave enough to not avoid anything.
Creation is never stopping, never ending, and whatever we bring to the canvas might transition into something else – while letting the opponent be as it is, not forcing her to change, allowing to not knowing.
The change is happening inside, while we face us as creator of our life and art.
“I wish I could show you, when you are lonely or in darkness, the astonishing light of your own being.”
- Hafiz -
How do you feel while making marks & symbols?
What inspires you?
How might you express a feeling through your mark making?
Does the mark/the pattern reflect where you haven been, who you are today, how you see yourself?
Do they invoke how you feel right now?
Do they soothe you, calm you? Do they help you relax?
Do they remind you of the beautiful things in life? Are they a reflection of beauty?
Use stencils you like OR... get even more creative: Create your own STENCILS!
(See Material List for Stencil Sheet Purchase)
"ART IS A LINE AROUND YOUR THOUGHTS."
- Gustav Klimt -
Resting Mind & Serenity
Draw your mind at rest.
You may include whatever images, shapes and forms appear to you as you relax.
Depict the calmness and peacefulness associated with being mindful.
A calm mind helps you feel peaceful, stronger, and more focused. It gives you a respite from the trials of everyday life.
What types of shapes, images, and colors were used to portray your mind?
Describe the way your mind usually works (e.g., calm chaotic, swirling thoughts, negative thoughts, positive thoughts, confused, focused).
How can being mindful contribute to a calmer and happier life?
What does mindfulness mean to you?
What part of your life or lifestyle would benefit the most from being mindful?
(Exercise 'Resting Mind & Serenity' is adapted from Susan I. Buchalter, "200 MORE Brief, Creative & Practical ArtTherapy Techniques")
PART 2 - DEEPENING & 'EDGE-EXPERIENCE'
“...Attempting the mastery of fear is useless. In fact, it asserts the power of fear by the very assumption that it need be mastered. The true resolution rests entirely on mastery through love.”
[A Course in Miracles; T-2.VII.4]
Let’s be bold and freely. Let’s start ‘all over’ - bringing her forth once more, keeping us loose and in the now, not getting attached.
Let’s add things and take away things.
Nothing lasts forever!
Let’s gain trust and step into the embodiment of being an artist.
No second-guessing! Let the magic begin!
Journaling
What patterns emerge of all the things you love and have loved?
What experiences or activities stand out as significant or meaningful?
What excites you?
What do you struggle with (in life and art)?
What do you desire?
Why do you create?
Sometimes things happen on the canvas that feel like an error.
You want to keep what you had, what was even beautiful possibly. In order to be fully in trust and knowing that you’ll always receive atonement you must understand that error cannot really threaten truth.
Truth is prior to every story and born out of love.
Only the error is actually vulnerable.
“Spirit is in a state of grace forever.
Your reality is only spirit.
Therefore you are in a state of grace forever.”
[A Course in Miracles, Chapter 1 – The Meaning of Miracles, III. Atonement and Miracles, 5]
Shadow & Light
While keeping her form we go on and on, going back and forth, beyond and even further – like sculpturing
Going over her by covering her up pretty much and ‘starting all over’ - bringing her forth once more while keeping us loose and in the now, not getting attached and gaining trust.