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Art Meditation

This meditation is adapted from a guided meditation by Brian Weiss, MD.  If you are not used to doing meditations, it may take a lot of practice for this to work for you.  Maybe you can take this, tweak it and make it your own.  I do the meditation automatically inside my head.  I do not really hear the voice as I am doing it, the process just happens.  You may wish to record this for yourself until you get the hang of it.  So get comfortable, very comfortable.  I close my eyes slightly and often this helps  – here we go:

Open the door in front of you,  do you see it?  It is the beautiful one with the arched top.  You are right, it is old and the craftsmanship is exceptional.  Just push the door open and walk through.  Oh, do you see all of those beautiful doors?  They are all exceptionally made, all different and their colors are wonderful.  There are so many choices.  Do you like the green one?  How about the aubergine one?  Or maybe the vibrant yellow is the right choice for you.  It doesn’t matter, choose the one most appealing, open it and step through …
Isn’t that a beautiful glass staircase?  Are those paintings on the walls along these sweeping stairs?  Yes, they are your own work, do you recognize them?  Take your time looking at them as you walk down the steps, going deeper and deeper into yourself.  Just relax, you are going to really love this place so full of light which surrounds you.  Can you feel that breeze lift your hair?  Ah, it is so comfortable here.  The light surrounds you, breathe it in, it fills you as you move down the stairs.  You have finally gotten to the last step, go ahead, take the step.  It looks like you are stepping into nothing, but you are light and this mist will support you.  Go ahead, walk into the mist you will not loose your way.  Oh, there is your old friend.  You know them, they have been a part of your life before.  They have something to tell you.  Ask them what you need to know.  Listen carefully because this is very important.  Ask any questions, your friend wants to make sure you understand.  Ah, this is really good information.  Your friend cannot help you act on this, but they are always there to support you and help you gather the information you need.  Take your time, enjoy the process.

Are you ready?  Do you have what you need?  Now head back through the mist to the steps.  Say goodbye to your friend, but you need to know they will be there when you need to talk with them.  You can come back here when you want to return.  Go ahead, walk up the staircase.  Pause along the way to see if the art has changed there.  Note any changes because this could be very important.  Take your time.  When you get to the top, open the door and step through.

You are now in your studio.  Stay relaxed.  Take some time to consider this experience.  What are you to do?  What direction should you take?

Often I take the time to journal about this experience.  It helps me to further work through what needs to happen.  Sometimes I move these journal notes to a sketchbook – other times I do not!  In time, you will know what is right for you.

I hope you find this helpful.  Let me know and let me know if you have a meditation which works well in your art practice.