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The One-minute Artist:
A bud opens itself to the world
Without choice of color or design -
Bursting forth
In the splendid,
Imperfect
yet simple joy
of being just what it is: a purple leaf.
Creating An Experiential Meditation
I stand by the window on this winter day. I watch
the snow glisten on the branch of a barren tree.
Wasn't it just yesterday that I noticed the days
growing longer? I thought I had felt the hope of
spring return.
Today I am alone again in this cold, gray place.
Being misunderstood is one of my life's frustrating
sorrows. It pushes me back to being an abandoned
five-year-old and, if I am not careful, it takes
me over and pushes me into the depths of sadness.
Tears fill my throat, sting my eyes; my heart hurts.
I breathe into my chest and my head clears long
enough for me to remember that I have choices.
I can stay with my despair or find my way back
to myself. With conscious effort I locate a pen,
some paper, paint and brushes. These are my tools
of self- expression. (Dance, movement, sculpture,
yoga, may be some of the tools that another might
choose.)
I write the poem that you just read about a leaf.
I acknowledge that I have limitations and in my
poem I remind myself that I am a being of nature,
imperfectly present in this world.
With my paintbrush I copy the outline of the tree
from memory. The tree is where the leaf attaches
itself to its life source. I paint the tree with
purple leaves, a sacred color.
I add music to this meditative/healing experience.
I choose a song that resonates with my experience
and me. I listen to the words. This particular selection
holds the essence of what I have so longed to hear.
"Don't go changin, to try and please me
You never let me down before
Don't imagine you're too familiar
And I don't see you anymore.
I wouldn't leave you in times of trouble
We never could have come this far
I took the good times, I'll take the bad times
I'll take you just the way you are."
It is a love song that translates so nicely into
the music that sings the song of "Namaste."
This piece of music pushes my meditation process
forward reminding me that if I want to be understood,
then I too must stretch myself enough to understand
another.
I honor the light inside you, my friend. As
I honor your light, I share my self with you, knowing
that my inner light is good enough. It is everything
that I am.
In silent meditation I search my soul for my truth.
I breathe out a sigh.
I set my purple tree painting next to the window
to dry. In this moment, breathing more freely, I
comfort myself with the new insight and the ending
of this song:
"I said I love you and that's forever
And this I promise from the heart
I could not love you any better
I love you just the way you are."
I am not able to control what others think of me
or how they judge me but I can create inner safety
with a paintbrush, a poem and music. In a small
amount of focused time the experience evolves into
a meditation unfolding within me and bringing me
home to myself.
I am able through creative meditation to refresh
my inner world enough to bring higher levels of
compassion to myself and to those around me.
I use this self-created technique for my own healing
and in my practice with clients. It provides a method
of transforming pain into spiritual and personal
growth.
The song: "I Love You Just The Way You Are"
Billy Joel.
A special thanks to my friend H. who told me years
ago that "this song is a god song."
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