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.
Continue…
Entries filed under Arts and Poetry
Natural Flowers 3 – HIGHLIGHT
Part three of a three-part series exploring the broader meanings of ikebana by Marcia Shibata, with guest editor Crystal Gandrud When Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche discovered ikebana, he immediately perceived the profound potential of this discipline that can teach people about the five elements, natural hierarchy, and constant flow and ... continuePosted March 5, 2018 by CGH
Natural Flowers 2 – HIGHLIGHT
Part two of a three-part series exploring the broader meanings of ikebana by Marcia Shibata, with guest editor Crystal Gandrud Many westerners shy from, even reject, the idea of hierarchy. It is irritating and threatening because the human world has seen so many examples of destructive human hierarchal leadership ... continuePosted March 3, 2018 by CGH
Natural Flowers – HIGHLIGHT
Part one of a three-part series exploring the broader meanings of ikebana by Marcia Shibata, with guest editor Crystal Gandrud Sometimes I’m asked why Shambhala Centers have Asian style flower arrangements. After all, we are in the west, right? We could make western arrangements much faster. We could copy ... continuePosted March 1, 2018 by CGH
Shambhala Day Poetry Entries – HIGHLIGHT
Full submissions for the 2018 Shambhala Day Poetry Contest In these complicated days, we’ve decided to publish all of the poems submitted to this year’s Shambhala Day Poetry Contest. Click here to see the winning poem and the three runners-up Winning Entry and Runners Up Below are the other ... continuePosted February 23, 2018 by
Loyalty and Joy – HIGHLIGHT
2018 Shambhala Day Poetry Contest, Winner and Runners Up We were honored to coordinate the annual Shambhala Day Poetry contest again in this, the year of the Earth Dog. As in years past, we enjoyed entries from the United States, Canada, and several European countries. The “prompt” for ... continuePosted February 17, 2018 by
Shambhala Day Poetry Contest Call for Entries 2018 – HIGHLIGHT
We are delighted to announce the Annual Shambhala Day Poetry Contest for 2018. The theme of this year’s poetry contest is “Loyalty and Joy.” As in past years, the editors of Poetry Space will select one winning poem to be read aloud as part of the Sakyong’s ... continuePosted January 18, 2018 by
The Snow Man – HIGHLIGHT
by Wallace Stevens One must have a mind of winter To regard the frost and the boughs Of the pine-trees crusted with snow; And have been cold a long time To behold the junipers shagged with ice, The spruces rough in the distant glitter Of the January sun; and not to think Of any ... continuePosted December 31, 2017 by CGH
Poetry Space, Late Fall 2017 – HIGHLIGHT
Winter is upon us across the North country. What better time to settle into some new work. With gratitude for all who support our modest efforts here at Poetry Space… continuePosted December 1, 2017 by
The Sweeper, A Buddhist Tale – HIGHLIGHT
Writing a dharma story for children by Becky Hazell Writing about dharma for children can be tricky. The story can’t be too simplistic or moralistic because it won’t engage a child, but you also want to offer something meaningful. I remember a sweet book someone gave us when ... continuePosted October 25, 2017 by CGH
Finding Vastness – HIGHLIGHT
Joining painting, photography, and meditation by Karen Iglehart Some of you have seen my paintings at Karme Choling and know of me as a painter. Many of you reading this may know me through Shambhala programs. I would like to share the photographic aspect of my artistic endeavors. As ... continuePosted October 13, 2017 by CGH
Visiting Shambhala – HIGHLIGHT
A five-act comedy that takes us to the court of the Rigden by Walker Blaine A year ago in the spring, I had the most surprising thought: I could write a five-act Shambhala comedy. It was as though a light physically turned on in my head, and within ... continuePosted September 14, 2017 by CGH
Poetry Space- Short Pieces of Late Summer – HIGHLIGHT
It’s Summer, when our submissions slow and our massive volunteer staff, Shambhalians all, head off on retreat. For those who might have wondered if we’d ever publish again (or for that matter, respond to a submission…) our apologies! In any case, we’re delighted to offer three ... continuePosted August 19, 2017 by
Without Beginning or End, Part 3 – HIGHLIGHT
A multi-part series on the trans-temporal art of Yeachin Tsai by Robert R. Shane The Heart Sutra, 2016, sumi ink on Chinese rice paper, 18×30 in V. The Time of Compassion This profound interconnection of all things is expressed in the Buddhist notion of dependent origination (pratīyasamutpāda). This thesis that ... continuePosted July 30, 2017 by CGH
Without Beginning or End, Part 2 – HIGHLIGHT
A multi-part series on the trans-temporal art of Yeachin Tsai by Robert R. Shane III. Kinesis Hooked, 2017, acrylic on paper, 26×14 in Tsai’s lines—whether circular or straight—move. While literally static on the paper, they contain within them the energy of the artist’s gesture as they endlessly redraw themselves before ... continuePosted July 28, 2017 by CGH
Without Beginning or End, Part 1 – HIGHLIGHT
A multi-part series on the trans-temporal work of Shambhalian and artist Yeachin Tsai by Robert R. Shane The Contentment of Mr. Orange, 2015, acrylic on paper mounted on canvas, 14×14 in “The circle…is the synthesis of the greatest oppositions. …it points most clearly to the fourth dimension.” (1) —Vassily Kandinsky I. ... continuePosted July 26, 2017 by CGH
RSS feed for the Arts and Poetry category
View all posts from authors in Arts and Poetry: alexvangils Jeffrey_Fink
