Dec 21
Monday
How Can Art Enhance The Experience Of Meditation?
Photo by Jelleke Vanooteghem on Unsplash
By “Jackie Writing Jackie”
Meditation and mindfulness are vital practices embraced by Buddhists, owing to their ability to keep the mind on the eightfold path, as well as the many benefits they bestow on human mental health. If, in the past, meditation was seen as an ‘alternative therapy’ practiced by Buddhists and members of specific faiths, today, up to 500 million people of all ages, beliefs and backgrounds practice meditation as a way to battle stress, improve their mood and focus, and feel more connected to a force that is larger than themselves. In order to enhance mindfulness during meditation, many tools are used – everything from selecting natural settings to choosing calming aromas. Art, however, can also boost the state of being ‘in the here and now’ and serve as a practical tool during meditation practice.
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Entries filed under Arts and Poetry
Monkey at the Movies – HIGHLIGHT
From the column Shambhala at the Movies, by Angela Pressburger In honour of the holiday season — the time for purchasing Big Box Sets as gifts — I thought I’d offer something I frequently get requests for more information on: Monkey / The Journey to the West. ... continuePosted November 13, 2018 by alexandra_kalinine
On Torma Offering – HIGHLIGHT
by Phil Karl While practicing in the three-year retreat at Gampo Abbey several years ago I learned to make tormas. I’d been making tormas for a number of years, but finally got comprehensive training, and plenty of practice in that rather long retreat. It may be of interest ... continuePosted October 30, 2018 by Philip Karl
The Third Mind Exhibition – HIGHLIGHT
New River – watercolor series 1981- by John Cage Ellen Pearlman, New York -based writer and editor of the Brooklyn Rail who lives part time in China, writes about The Third Mind: American Artists Contemplate Asia, 1860–1989 at the Guggenheim Museum in New York responding to the influence of eastern thought ... continuePosted October 16, 2018 by Ellen Pearlman
Before and After: Portraits from Dathun – HIGHLIGHT
by Peter Seidler This series of photos, titled “Before and After,” comes from a larger project called “Contemplatives,” a visual exploration of the physiological qualities of meditation practice. I set up the “Before and After” project to explore the observable effects on practitioners after long periods of ... continuePosted October 7, 2018 by alexandra_kalinine
What is the Heart of Dharma Art? – HIGHLIGHT
calligraphy by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Jack Niland and unknown artist Celebrating Shambhala and the Arts story and artwork by Jack Niland What is the Heart of Dharma Art? It is MANIFESTING the world…your world, my world, our world…an enlightened world. Why? Because this is what the universe does. It ... continuePosted October 4, 2018 by alexandra_kalinine
More Buried Rivers – HIGHLIGHT
A second excerpt from the book subtitled A Spiritual Journey into the Holocaust by Ellen Korman Mains It would be dark when I arrived in Zamość, a place I’d never been and where I knew no one. I didn’t even have a reservation for the night. It wasn’t confidence ... continuePosted September 26, 2018 by CGH
Buried Rivers – HIGHLIGHT
A Spiritual Journey into the Holocaust; excerpt from a book by Ellen Korman Mains The center was called Tail of the Tiger then. When I returned from my second visit, my mother went to the door of my parents’ bedroom and called my father out, like a foot-soldier ... continuePosted September 24, 2018 by CGH
Poetry Space – HIGHLIGHT
Reflections from the Coordinator by Jeff Fink In 2013, I was approached by the then-editor of the Times, Sarah Lipton, about possibly organizing a poetry column for the Shambhala Times. This grew out of an Enlightened Society Assembly conversation, so how could I say no? With the help ... continuePosted September 2, 2018 by
Poetry Space, Summer 2018 – HIGHLIGHT
Poetry Space – Summer 2018 Sometimes, it seems as if the world is literally and figuratively on fire, and this is certainly what it feels like in the kingdom of Shambhala right now. Also, we’re very late in responding to our most recent set of new submissions, ... continuePosted August 21, 2018 by
The Crystal Sands – HIGHLIGHT
A short story about power dynamics and consensual relationship by Anne-Marie Keppel There once were two humans sitting on a beach. Beautiful, glistening, crystal-like sand covered the beach like a blanket of starry wonder. The sand stretched across the entire expanse surrounding them, and at the edges mingled ... continuePosted July 12, 2018 by CGH
I’ve Gotten as Far as Fearlessness – HIGHLIGHT
The Tiger says: “You are good enough to help.” The Lion says: “You know you want to help.” The Garuda says: “It’s time. Let’s do this.” I can’t wait to hear what the Dragon says. But for now, there’s work to do. a bit of verse by Alan Augustson continuePosted June 2, 2018 by
Why art, why now? – HIGHLIGHT
The third in a three-part series about art, creativity, and the creative process by Katey Schultz I want to wrap up this three-part series helping writers and creative types “come at” their imaginations and their creative practices in new ways, by touching on a big topic. I began ... continuePosted May 3, 2018 by
Meditation and Revision – HIGHLIGHT
The second in a three-part series about art, creativity, and the creative process by Katey Schultz Last time, I wrote about ways to Jumpstart Your Creative Flow, offering a few techniques I use to help engage my imagination and creative process. This time, I want to look at ... continuePosted May 1, 2018 by
Jumpstart Your Creative Flow – HIGHLIGHT
The first of three articles on art, creativity, and the creative process by Katey Schultz Every week in my Into the Flash online class, I offer a mindful flow exercise. This is a mindfulness, meditation-inspired exercise that I design specifically for writers and creative types to help them ... continuePosted April 29, 2018 by
Travels in Tibet – HIGHLIGHT
A book excerpt from My Search in Tibet for the Wish-Fulfilling Jewel by Peter Mt. Shasta As the monks chanted over and over I joined in. Spiritual energy filled my mind and body. As my eyes were closing, the naljorpa who had given me the slip earlier suddenly ... continuePosted March 11, 2018 by CGH
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