Meditation, art, writing and music go hand in hand to create an uplifting experience for me; I like to listen to Beethoven, Chopin or Mozart while drawing, painting, writing. It uplifts my mood into a meditative space.
In this photo of one of my conte crayon drawings I am listening to Chopin. The flow of tones and phrasing of music seem to be right at home in my body and mind as I move with chalk in hand in quick flowing strokes across the paper.
This experience is a meditation for me as it uplifts me into what I've heard referred to as the zone, at one with the unlimited self in the Self of all.
For a larger view of my drawing go to this link in Mused Literary Review.
Here is how I make my creative sessions meditation
If I am going to be doing artwork at the table or easel I first gather together my supplies. Then I put on the selection of music I'm feeling drawn to.
At this time it would be Piano Concerto No. 23 by Mozart, as while listening to a recording of Emily Bear play this on the piano with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra I am immediately uplifted almost to tears; it is a slice of heaven.
As fingers would fly across the keyboard of the piano, with the crayon an extension of my fingers they fly across the textured paper, dropping down and upon to create the impressions. I am so involved that I am uplifted into meditation.
Meditation does not confine itself to sitting in a still pose for minutes and hours. It's practical expression is the culmination of all that uplifts the doer, viewer, listener.
Even while writing this article on the computer you may have guessed that I am listening to Piano Concerto No. 23 by Mozart. My insights come out through the way music uplifts my mood whether it be while I'm writing or using another medium of art.
The lesson for me is to allow the expansive state of meditation to lift my work and views of life so much that I become the best I can, and that is what I want to be.
For offline reading
Meditation Lessons for AdultsMore than 70 offerings, from guided meditation techniques to on-the-go stress relief and relationship meditations interspersed with verse, and a section of special occasion prayers. 114 pages.
Article and artwork by Susan Helene Kramer
