MIND-BODY-SPIRIT
Finding Your Inner Artist
BY VIOLET WARNER
As humans, we are all inherently creative. There is no such thing as not being creative. When asked about art, many people respond: “Oh, I don’t know anything about art!” or “I’m not creative.” This attitude may come from inherently hierarchical structures within the Western concept and market of art, though, this is an illusion! All it means to be an artist is to be a conscious creator. Whether we are aware or not, we are always creating — with the words we choose to speak, the clothes we wear, the decor in our homes, the food we cook… they are all a product of our creativity. Dominant society tends to compartmentalize art to exist solely as a rigid practice, and one only available to an exclusive group. This mindset convinces many people to believe they are not artistic, thereby muting the vibrancy of their own spirit. Therefore, an integral part to spiritual evolution and men- tal freedom is to embrace and nurture your inner artist. Once we start putting intention in the creation we already do, and begin exploring other ways we want to express ourselves, the journey of our inner art- ist begins! Why Create? There are many ways to start exploring different forms of expression — from taking a local painting class, to spending a few minutes each day writing, or even by buying clothes that better represent how you feel versus how you think you should feel. However, it goes deeper than simply a creative practice; it means looking at ourselves in full truth. This can be difficult because we have been taught either directly or through experiences to not be our true self. We have been taught to be ashamed of our own vulnerability. Our inner artist thrives in our most naked, vulnerable form. It does not need to represent anything but ourselves. There’s a false perception that there is “good” art and “bad” art, and that different levels exist within art. However, it is only our personal aesthetics that matter - and those tastes are valid outside of what any- body else thinks. We so often are afraid to be true in our aesthetics for fear of judgement. We must remind ourselves we cannot give our power away, and that authenticity brings us closer to the Divine. So as you start exploring how you want to express yourself, take a risk, and don’t be afraid! Wear a new color, buy a new spice, mindlessly paint, write a haiku. Whatever feels true and exciting to you will help you better discover and hone your inner artist. When we create, we become present in our own energy, and what we make is completely our own. For many people, the art we consume on a daily basis is someone else’s. We listen to music from other people, we watch TV or movies written and directed by someone else, we scroll on social media full of other people’s thoughts, visions, and interests. We are surrounded by the art, perspectives, and visions of others.While it’s important to relish and appreciate these artistic accomplishments, we must balance them with our own artistic explorations. Our creative nature is what makes us human; our inner artist is sa- cred. It allows us to see our own inner Divinity. When we begin to truly discover our Divine Self, the grip that fear, doubt and worry has over us begins to weaken. We put faith in ourselves over the machine. We begin to deconstruct what we’ve been told about life, and start placing more value in our senses rather than our work. It is a beautiful journey that continues for our entire life. We can constantly learn more, evolve our style, and experiment with new media. Our value system begins to change as well. We start placing more importance on what nurtures
Jennifer Norton, ALSP Spiritual Practitioner, Speaker & Educator Private Practice Playshops/Retreats/Events www.jennorton.com jennifer@jennorton.com
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PATHWAYS—Summer 26—69
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