Contemplative art practice group:

General idea: contemplation with art and nature expands our non-linear sensing, restores emotional and physical well-being, and shifts human consciousness, allowing for deep inquiry, interconnection with others, personal healing and connection with the numinous.

The altered state of mind and body that arises from engaging in contemplative practices allows the contemplator to utilize non-linear creative pathways, in response to or inspired by the individual’s meditation experience. Many creative processes can be combined with contemplation, or used in response to contemplation experiences. For example: 2D visual art, sculpture, installation, performance, writing, dance, music.

How the process works: participants zoom together for ½ hr with the group and facilitator Margaret Lindsey to begin the process. Participants then leave electronics behind, and spend time individually with a source object, altar, artwork, or in nature: contemplating/meditating on their own.  We reconvene on zoom 2 hours later, and engage in creative practice for ½ hr or an hour, making art of any kind, in response to each person’s contemplation experience. This is a silent studio practice, where participants work shoulder-to-shoulder, aware of their co-contemplators but working individually. Facilitator may play music while students are artmaking, which can any media…movement, writing, visual art, digital art or hand-crafting.

Meditators are encouraged to create from the heart mind, allowing themselves to express authentic feelings and ideas generated by or potentiated by the recent contemplative practice.

Participants meet at the conclusion of the art period for tea time, and share anything they like about their experiences, or ask questions.

This is a new offering from the artransforms art gym, and the dates and times are still to be determined. tentatively planned for 6 monthly sessions, Sundays 1-4pm. Other times can be arranged for small groups. The first session will be offered free.