Why Art - ART OF SEEING ART OF MIND

Many of us are raised with a feeling that we have freedom of expression, freedom of speech, freedom of religion. So many freedoms. 

There’s a notion that artists are freer. That they dance to a different beat, a different drum. 

The great philosophers and religious leaders preach about freedom, but what freedom? 

Let’s be a little specific.

Society requires that we form an image of ourselves that distinguishes us from someone else, that makes us stand out against the rest. Our uniqueness is a brand. Along with that brand, that image, that identity, comes the opinions, judgements, the right looks to impress or event to fit in with the group and how important it is to “be in a group.”  This may provide some temporary sense of security, but owning this identity, this personal “real estate” mean we must defend it, protect it. This causes division, defensiveness and often, toxic competition. The existence of this “self“ also produces insecurity and anxiety. 

Artists are not immune from these conditions. Artists battle with self worth issues, self esteem, competition for fame, wealth, position and notoriety.

Whatever our position in the world, holding onto “identity” constrains how we see the things because it demands how we see ourselves. Our perception is biased by how are performances are programed. 

Are we seeing how things really are or are we really seeing governed by our roles and identities? 

Can we call this freedom?

Answers to these difficult questions may show us what the future looks like, not only for us as individuals, but as families, groups and communities.

Can we unpack all this to achieve more enjoyable and creative, effective lives?

Living in our conditioned roles produces predictable results. Society asks us to conform to methods determined by our industrial and corporate worlds – how to learn, to specialize, how to get a job, keep a job, produce, serve and so forth. But this also may limit how we operate in the world and how to solve problems in the world, problems that we now face, like sustainability, racial bias, health and equity issues. 

“We cannot solve problems with the same minds that created them.” - Albert Einstein

Do our roles allow us to know our deeper selves and to have creative, positive interactions in our communities and in the world?

When we’re having a bad mood, we say “I’m in a bad mood.” We don’t say, “I am a bad mood.” One part of the mind is looking at another part of the mind. There’s still another part of the mind that’s looking at that part of the mind that’s saying “I’m not the bad mood.” To sustain this way of looking at the mind is a meditative function. That function stops us from acting negatively when we’re in a bad mood. It helps us to be sane even though things “seem” dark. It gives us freedom to act clearly and not robotically.

Through our work at Institute for Cultural Activism International we’ve learned that social engagement is an expression of the meditative act – because meditation helps us loosen our hold on our roles and perceptions and to better appreciate the world and interact with it, creatively.

On August 16th, we are hosting a meditation workshop at a private retreat center in East Meredith. We invite the community to explore meditation and to attend three more work shops on Saturday the 17th and Sunday the 18th. 

On Friday August 23rd we invite the community to a Reiki healing intro at the retreat center. The weekend seminar continues through Sunday the 25th afternoon.  

For information please visit our website at: www.studioicai.org. Our radio show TUNING FORK FM, on WIOX on Thursday August 22nd from 1-2pm