QUOTES TO PONDER

“More and more we are coming to understand the need to engage in processes that integrate all aspects of self: the body, mind, emotions and spirit. Simply put, we cannot integrate all aspects of self without involving all aspects of self. We do not become creative by thinking about it. We reawaken our creativity by engaging in the process of creativity.” Natalie Rogers, The Creative Connection, Expressive Arts as Healing, 1993.

"In our new, experience-centered Age of Aquarius, creativity is of heightened importance because we face a new world that demands creative new solutions to new problems. This need for creative solutions, I believe, is one reason why ever more poeple are turning to alternative medicine. The old ways just don't work, and alternative medicine grants us not just the condition of health, but also the experience of healing." Drhama Singh Khalsa, M.D., and Cameron Stauth, Meditation as Medicine, 2001.

Abundance and the Arts

I believe that creating an abundant life can not occur without the arts. When journeying into the imaginal realm we look upon an abundance of unexplored territory. This territory, our inner landscape, reminds us of our connection with others, our higher selves and of course our higher power. So I guess I'm saying that the arts remind us of our spiritual selves and that rememberance shows us our abundance.

Okay so nuts and bolts - no more theory - no more how does that work - but now the let's do it and see. So, here's your experential which you will also find in Life Sculpting's retail store which comes with supplies in our Take Out Creativity box:

Take Out Creativity TM

“Art is an act of the soul, not of the intellect.”
Julia Cameron, The Artists Way

Using the expressive arts towards creativity is about creating a space to center yourself and finding quiet. It is about allowing for a metaphor to be created by finding a form for ambiguous emotions and chaotic feelings. It is about reaffirming your resources, strengths and bringing about clarity and transformation. By using more than one creative media you deepen your understanding of the creative process and feel more complete.

1. Find a place where you won't be interrupted.
2. Spend a couple minutes writing what is foremost in your mind in your journal.
3. Set these thoughts aside.
4. Light your candle.
5. Close your eyes and take a deep breath in and exhale slowly, repeat several times.

6. Optional – though highly recommended: Choose a favorite piece of music.
7. Choose which media you would like to begin with first*; words, mandalas, or origami. activity.
8. Create with your chosen media until it feels complete.
9. If creating in images find words to describe your image or process and write them in your journal.
9. If creating in words find images that describe your words or process and begin to visually capture them on the cards provided or in your journal.
10. When you feel that your words or images capture your thoughts and feelings and you are complete for now take a deep breath and set your creations in front of you.
11. Center yourself and ask your image(s) if they feel complete – silently wait for their “answer”. Ask your image(s) if they have some thing they wish to tell you – wait for their “answer”. Respond to what you “hear” from your images – these messages may come to you with urgings to do a little more of this or that with the images or to dance or sing or cry or be grateful. Allow for your creativity to take on the form it desires.
12. Complete your creativity time by writing your thoughts about your process. Date and title your pieces and set aside.

Abundance Take Two

When the word ABUNDANCE is spoken most of us would probably first think of having enough money to do and have whatever we want. The list could be endless and unique to each of us and would include things like houses, cars, clothes, jewelry, activities...... While I don't think there is anything wrong with this kind of abundance what I want to focus on this month is an abundance that at first glance can't be seen or touched or carried around.

The kind of abundance I'm thinking of precludes the tangible kind of abundance. Inner abundance weaves into outer abundance which then manifests with integrity.

When we are in balance I believe that a rich inner life exists. To me an abundant inner life includes thoughtfulness with our actions around situations and people so that our lives have meaning. It includes intentionally approaching situations, and people instead of responding to whatever comes our way. It includes an energetic awareness to situations and people so that we can feel our way through what is right for us. And it includes an attendance towards and focus on situations and people so that we are responding and reliable. This month I want to increase my abuandance in my inner world. My belief is that it will effect my outer world and both worlds will be more congruent. I will get out my art materials, drums, and music; I will meditate, breath and focus. I will think, create intentions, become aware, attend and focus. I could do it alone – or you can join me.....visit www.lifesculpting.biz for more information.

Abundance

This month's theme is abundance.

I'm offering a class right now entitled, "Isn't it time you learned to meditate". As I have pulled together resources and knowledge from a variety of people and experts regarding why we should meditate, how we should meditate and when we should meditate, I have found that many issues in our lives would not exist if we had a foundation of meditation. These issues could be physical, emotional, behavioral or spiritual dis - eases. Having any of these issues create lives in which we don't feel honored, loved, respected and in general we don't feel very abundant.

As I really get into the groove of consistent meditation I am discovering a calmness as I go about my days. I believe that it reflects my time in meditation. I am sorta anxious by nature, ask anyone who knows me, so this is a real change! Being anxious is such a distant memory that it is hard to believe I ever was, about anything. This is a real gift. What I've found is that now that I'm calm I can really feel a deep joy. This joy is so overwhelming at times I can hardly contain myself. I want to share it with everyone - and I'm sure I'm just one big grin! The closest I can come to explaining it is that it feels so wonderful and so big and so powerful that I feel as though I might burst out of my skin.

So when I start thinking about abundance I'd have to say that having joy is abundance to me! It effects all areas of my life. It allows for a range of feelings to naturally come and go. I feel connected with a power that keeps me flowing throughout the day and night. And in my work I calmly know that the right way will present itself, the right words, the right actions.

Tell me your experiences with meditation, abundance and joy.