Creativity - Prayer

There are many books and blogs written on meditation. Essays and epistles on the benefit of meditation, on stilling the mind, being mindfully and at peace. A place where we catch a glimpse of the Divine.

 

There are many methods and theories, as well as practices. Meditation, prayer and focused attention are spiritual practices found in all faith traditions. Not every form of creativity leads instantaneously to a meditation practice. Initially, it takes a lot of time to be able to do things 'with your eyes closed'. Although your craft may not lead to meditation, it certainly can be a form of prayer.

 

Creativity, creating works of art, is also a spiritual practice. The hours I spend spinning wool is a mediation in itself. To remain focused on the yarn, the rhythm of my feet as I treadle the wheel, the rhythmic movement of my hands, drafting the wool slivers into a good thread, takes concentration. When I was a beginner, spinning was not a contemplative practise at all. Hours and hours of spinning have taught me the muscle memory of spinning comfortably and consistently. My thoughts can freely wander; however, the movement of my hands and feet are a way of praying. The rhythm and flow create within me that inner stillness where I may glimpse the Creator.

 

People can lose themselves in their craft. I find that sewing is not conducive for contemplation; the speed of the machine requires my full concentration and attention. Or more to the point, the sharp pins will not allow for a moment of relaxation. 

 

Creativity is so much more though, than making things. It is about the flow of creative juices and finding meaning and purpose in the (W) Holy Other. Julia Cameron, in her book 'The Artist's Way', says that "Creativity is God's gift to us. Using our creativity is our gift back to God. By using our creativity, we open ourselves to God". I like that! 

 

Gone are the times when we explored creative explorations, that some condescending voice was heard, 'she is just tinkering'. Exploring creativity, co-creators with the Divine is what we are called to be. 

 

Writing a blog has stimulated my creativity; words are tumbling down onto a page; they don't always convey what I wanted to say though. It is exciting because it makes me think, read and contemplate. 

I wonder what stimulates your creativity?

Whether you write, knit, paint or any other form of creativity, be mindful, pay attention to what is happening within you. Listen to the whisper of the Spirit as you create with the Creator.

 

 

 

Peace  comes from within. Do not seek it without. - Gautama Buddha

Fool and Foolish

Who would want to be seen as a fool?

In medieval times the courts employed a jester. Jesters sang ballads, told stories and made fun of things around them. Their role was not merely entertaining; it was also an opportunity to bring contentious issues before the King. Telling stories and joking about serious matters - with wisdom and insight- could be a daring occupation, after all, speaking the truth to those in power was not always a safe occupation; especially not as the King's fool.

I wonder if our society still has a role for the 'fool'. Sure, some comedians earn a decent living with playing the fool. In daily life, there is no place for a jester; instead, if anything goes wrong, we tend to look for a scapegoat. Just watch the political debates in an election year!

Dan Horan OFS, wrote about Christian foolishness some time ago. He said: “The very core of Christianity appears foolish to the world. Take, for instance, the idea that God would become human … Or take the love and mercy of God … that they are unconditional."

To some of us, this is no news; this is how we live our lives. To others, it sounds, well, silly!

So foolish or being a fool, what does that mean? In general, it means a person does something against society's convention. St Francis became God's fool because he rejected the wealth and tradition of his upbringing. St Francis was so full of passion that he left everything behind him to follow Christ, to imitate Jesus and follow in his footsteps. He certainly was seen as a fool in his time.

Foolishness is about being out of tune with society, loving the unlovable; it is about having different values, or maybe there are similar values, it is about how we act upon them. To see Christ in the prisoner is easy to say or sing; however, sitting next to a homeless person in the church may be a challenge for most of us.

Who would want to be seen as a fool? The embarrassment and humiliation– who would willingly choose a path like that?

Who would willingly be saying the wrong things in public?

Or is the fool saying the right thing? Was she inspired by the Divine Spirit? Is living according to our consciousness a sensible thing to do? In the secular time we live in, it is acceptable to express one's authentic self. What if the authentic self is roaring against the widely held beliefs and actions of society?

Or, dare I say it, against the commonly held beliefs and actions of the Church?

 

Peace  comes from within. Do not seek it without. - Gautama Buddha

Lenses

All we know is that the Divine, we call God, is Mystery; beyond concepts and human understanding.

We try, we try hard to find the words, find a common language that helps us to share our insights.  And that is all we do. We cannot tell someone else what the Divine is. They are on their own journey of understanding the mystery of life.

When we drive through a lush landscape and chat about what we see, it becomes apparent that everyone looks through their own 'lens'. One person may comment on the green grass, the abundance of a crop, while another may only see the blue sky with accumulating clouds; while a third person may only see the weeds in the fields.  It soon becomes clear we have our own bias.

I think that is the same when we talk about God. Our personal image of the Divine dictates how we pray. If someone sees God as the judge from childhood times, like Santa Claus, their prayer will be vastly different from someone who experiences God as love.

The lens we were taught to use and the experience of our life may not be congruent. And so we may go on the journey of discovery.

This journey can lead us through different landscapes; from lush to barren background country—a trip through different denominations, or even a discovery of other faith traditions. Foundational to our findings are the lenses we wear.  Whether it is the old lens from childhood or maybe adolescence, as we grow older, 'truths' of the past may no longer hold.

I have discovered that there are a lot of similarities within a variety of faith traditions. The practice of stillness and meditation are well known and practised in most faith tradition. Admittedly, they use a variety of terminology; within the Abrahamic tradition, the goal of being in the presence of the Divine is the same.

The Buddhist practise is focused on the individual practitioner, to let go of worldly things, detachment of the world and is motivated by enlightenment. Some could argue that Jesus taught the same. Not to store up the riches of the world, (Matt 16:19-20) but to concentrate of God.

Whatever the lens we use, we need to remember that it is just that, our lens.

 

Peace  comes from within. Do not seek it without. - Gautama Buddha

Living the Question

For most people, life is full. Full of commitments and things they want to do. There is not a lot of time left to daydream or doodle. Days slip through our fingers without time to ponder and smell the roses.

Technology has made our lives easier. We are no longer breaking our backs over the 'copper' to do the weekly washing, no laborious kneading of bread or flipping through endless pages to find answers.

For some people, the status-quo is more comfortable and feels safer than to go and explore other options or opportunities.  For others, the time is not right; the finances or other commitments are limiting. And so nothing changes—the comfort of the present situation out ways the discomfort of looking for alternatives.

Technology is wonderful. It has saved so much time; we can find answers to all our questions and get on with life. Or can we?

What about the questions of purpose and meaning? Also, do we need an immediate answer, or can we live with uncertainty; watching and waiting to see how things develop, living with uncertainty and maybe doubt?

For the more profound life questions, there may not be an immediate answer, and how would we know what the right answer is anyway?

Rainer Maria Rilke's famous quote about 'living the question' suggests that living the question is more important than the answer; that we learn and experience life to its fullness.

What question are you carrying?

What is on the forefront of your mind? Where is God; what is your calling or what is happens to you when you die? These are only a few of the deep questions of life. To live with uncertainty is a challenge for most of us. We want answers to all our problems and wonderings. Whether the query is simple or complex, in our instant society, we want answers immediately.

Living with the questions is being comfortable with not knowing. Which raises the question: "how would you know that it is the right answer?"

It could be as straightforward as choosing your spouse. Deep down, you know what is right, what feels True. The next step is acting on that knowledge or feeling; this could be the tricky part!

To live the question is to engage with your spiritual side, to make time to nurture the question and allow it to develop and expand into your life.

Brother Lawrence suggests 'to practise the presence of God', to living with awareness.

Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without. Gautama Buddha