A lunar eclipse called The Super Blood Moon is happening Sunday September 27th, peeking at about 9:45 pm. Mindful observations of forces greater then humanity are often the beginnings of creative forces within ourselves.
“It is the marriage of the soul with Nature that makes the intellect fruitful, and gives birth to imagination.” ~ Henry David Thoreau
Photo by Heather Matson 2014
“I discovered that when I believed my thoughts, I suffered, but that when I didn’t believe them, I didn’t suffer, and that this is true for every human being. Freedom is as simple as that. I found that suffering is optional. I found a joy within me that has never disappeared, not for a single moment. That joy is in everyone, always.”
—Byron Katie
The Work is a simple yet powerful process of inquiry that teaches you to identify and question the thoughts that cause all the suffering in the world. It’s a way to understand what’s hurting you, and to address the cause of your problems with clarity. In its most basic form, The Work consists of fours questions and the turnarounds.
Everything you need to do The Work is available for free on this website http://thework.com/
People who do The Work as an ongoing practice commonly report:
Stranger in a hostile world… Mysterious…. Language haltingly… Belonged… Understood… Despite the warnings… Risk of death… Music… Curiously… Turn her eyes… Struck by… Passionate absorption… Out of breath… Ecstasy… Crowding dreams… Little sob broke… Her lips… Lovely eyes… Peculiarly gentle… Instinctive sympathy… Smile… Smile was charming… Music, it’s strangely thrilling… Tears one’s heart to pieces… I want you listen…
The art of meditative drawing… Mindfulness for the soul… Yoga for the brain. I felt so relaxed after creating this piece.
Monsters we have met… Villains of undersea myth… We have met all… Which lives beyond our depth range… Still puzzled… Thoroughly harmless… Curious about us… Frightened… Perhaps the monsters… Have been tamed… Wild ones live in your ocean… Owes most of its notoriety… You enter in the beast… Can only devour you… Draws you to him… Bound and helpless… Emptied into this frightful sac… To be drunk alive is inexpressible… Countless occasions… Natural revulsion against touching.
For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.
– Nelson Mandela
“This creative power is a striving power; this creative power can be seen in different views, in the power of evolution, in the power of life, in the power which accomplishes the goal of an ideal completion to overcome the difficulties of life.” – Alfred Adler
Are you currently in a life transition? Finishing school? Changing careers? Separation or divorce from partner? Having a baby? Recovering from substance use or an accident? Many of us are ‘creatures of habit’ making transitions hard. It is a type of grieving process of our former lives. If we shed our former lives but hold on to the corpses our transformation is not complete and we become stuck… Or hold on to the old habits and routines. Honoring your grief of your former life and allowing it to return to the earth your will feel free of the weight of your corpses. Rejoice and embrace the life set out in front of you.
“Murder of Crows”
© Heather Matson 2011
Exploring life transitions through art therapy can be a powerful tool. Bringing insight and resolution, making the process of transition easier.
“Honoring My Grief” – in session
© Heather Matson 2013
Losing a loved one is hard. Many discount the intense connection one makes with their furry companions. Animals have a special relationship with their humans. Animal companions provide unconditional love, do not pass judgment and witness our lives through thick and thin. Losing a special animal companion is like losing a member of the family. They may have left your physical side but the love that you feel is real and will be forever in your heart. Feel free to share your good memories and stories in honor of the love you share.
Personal art journaling task: Create an image of your favorite memory of a beloved companion animal that has passed.
Image above is of Ceri our family dog. Our favorite memory of her was the endless cold winter nights that she would sit on top of the hill in the backyard, watching the woods for deer, coyotes and listening for the owls. She would sit as if in a trance. Then coming in for a snuggle hug to warm up just before bedtime.
Both Picture and Artist.
Are we a product of our environment? Or is our environment a product of our perceptions? Sure when we are born into this world we are at the mercy of the environment and people in our lives. Naturally we began by depending on others for shelter, nourishment and love. However, we are not a blank slate. We enter this world with words of good intention written on our soul that will be instrumental in shaping our personally. As our world becomes bigger and we become influenced by other social groups like school and friends we begin to realize how we could influence the outcome of our world, sometimes by trial and error.
We can take the skills we have learned from our family to navigate through our world, which can be good or bad. All events that have helped in shaping our world have had a positive outcome. No matter how horrible the event there is always something positive to hold on to that helps get us through. Sometimes the positive is hard to find but if you look, you will find it. As adults we have to remember we are in control and can make change happen.
Focusing on doubt, loss, or failure only creates more of the same. You are in control of how you live your life, of how you perceive your world, and how you tell your story. Live your life with your in born good intentions, not with the doubts you gathered along the way. Retell your edited story. Forgive or understand yourself for hurting others, and others who hurt you. Learn to let go of holding the pain of others; it is not yours to carry.
The world we experience is the world we have created for ourselves. By knowing this we can make changes. First, you have to retell your story more positively and with understanding. Focus on the language you use daily. Secondly, you have to believe it to be true. Believe that you can find a partner that does not end in divorce or believe you can have a successful career. The more you can focus on your good intentions and desires in this world and not your worries and doubts you will discover more success and happiness.
Art therapy can be instrumental in training the brain, our emotions and our beliefs about our personal perceptions of the world to more favorable outcomes. There are lessons to be learned in the darkness. Finding a balance with our light and dark aspects of our personalities will help find everyday balance.
To quote Alfred Adler, “The individual is thus both the picture and the artist. He is the artist of his own personality, but as an artist he is neither an infallible worker nor a person with a complete understanding of mind and body; he is rather a weak, extremely fallible, and imperfect human being.” (The Individual Psychology of Alfred Adler, 1956. Ansbacher & Ansbacher)
