Somewhere around 1692 a Carmelite monk known as Brother Lawrence said that "when I apply myself to prayer, I feel all my spirit and all my soul lift itself up without any care or effort of mine".
This is one of the best descriptions of prayer that I have seen. I think there's common misunderstandings about prayer and the effect of prayer. I think I was raised to think that prayer was sort of like writing a wish list to Santa and if you were good, you would receive your presents.
But as I've had continued experience with prayer and the effects of prayer in my life, I see that it's more of being in a constant prayerful mindset, or aspiring to be. I pray often, always as I am going to sleep, but also during my daily walks. I take the things I am worried about and change them into prayers for guidance and release. Usually after 20 minutes of prayerful walking, I feel better. After an hour, I feel renewed. After 90 minutes I feel joyful and creative. After 3 hours I am ready to writing a chapter of a book.
Prayer isn't talking to some genie in a bottle. For me, it's reconnecting to my center, to the source that is within all of us and finding the inner wisdom and peace that takes over when you come back to presence within your self, you are your own Higher Power.
Thanks for sharing this! It’s a beautiful and deeply personal description. It’s a funny thing for me. I often say that I’m religious but spiritual, because I have a deep appreciation for ritual, observance, and discipline, but little concern for anything esoteric, or transcendent. I was raised in a rigidly conservative Christian home and have long since parted ways with that upbringing. I have a lot of hang-ups surrounding ideas of prayer and spirituality. A lot of reluctance and reservations, and in some cases an out right lack of interest and resonance. And yet, I’d be lying if I said that there wasn’t something seemingly ‘mystical’ about my approach to creativity. That seems to be the one place that I can allow for some degree of openness to such things. Thanks again for such a wonderful reply!
i was raised rigidly Catholic as well, and it was all a front for pretty awful abuse. I think religion exists to subjugate people. It’s a human parameter around some funamental truths and that’s hard to separate, as you are describing.
What I had to do was feel into what was true for me, and what I observed to be true. Once I started noticing coincidences was what brought me back to the universe/god/spirituality. the name doesn’t matter. Titles don’t matter, dogma doesn’t matter. You find your truth through your art, and that is connecting to your inner self/source.
That effortful effortlessness becomes almost lucid when you slip into that creative space.
On that note, there are some really incredible pieces on this post- the color palettes really resonate with me - and even the contrast sends some powerful messages. It’s not a medium I’ve ever followed before- but now I can’t get enough of it🔥🔥
Steve, thank you so much! I came to collage really late in my creative life, mostly because I failed all teh other things, lol. I dreamed of drawing comics when I was a kid and I wanted to be an abstract painter as I got older. Neither proved to be a language I could ever learn to speak with any real fluidity. I stumbled into collage accidently and haphazardly. It was never on my radar and it took awhile to take it seriously, some days it’s still hard to. But, the fact remains that I found an ease of expression I’ve never had before. I’m so glad to hear you’re enjoying the work! That means a lot to me!
Beautifully said. I feel tfw same way about writing and even wrote a piece about that last year. It’s great to be in that space. And when it carries over into daily life, there’s nothing quite like it.
I really like your work.
We are looking for possibly some digital art to market our Airbnb. Your style is in a similar vein as our style of interior design.
Totally agree! Thanks for reading Allen. The more consistent I've been with my daily practice, the easier it is to step into that space. What I really struggle with is carrying it over into daily life.
Thanks for your kind words! As I mentioned I'm not a real graphic designer and I don't know what I'm doing, but depending on what you're looking for I could certainly try to help.
This is one of the best descriptions of prayer that I have seen. I think there's common misunderstandings about prayer and the effect of prayer. I think I was raised to think that prayer was sort of like writing a wish list to Santa and if you were good, you would receive your presents.
But as I've had continued experience with prayer and the effects of prayer in my life, I see that it's more of being in a constant prayerful mindset, or aspiring to be. I pray often, always as I am going to sleep, but also during my daily walks. I take the things I am worried about and change them into prayers for guidance and release. Usually after 20 minutes of prayerful walking, I feel better. After an hour, I feel renewed. After 90 minutes I feel joyful and creative. After 3 hours I am ready to writing a chapter of a book.
Prayer isn't talking to some genie in a bottle. For me, it's reconnecting to my center, to the source that is within all of us and finding the inner wisdom and peace that takes over when you come back to presence within your self, you are your own Higher Power.
Thanks for sharing this! It’s a beautiful and deeply personal description. It’s a funny thing for me. I often say that I’m religious but spiritual, because I have a deep appreciation for ritual, observance, and discipline, but little concern for anything esoteric, or transcendent. I was raised in a rigidly conservative Christian home and have long since parted ways with that upbringing. I have a lot of hang-ups surrounding ideas of prayer and spirituality. A lot of reluctance and reservations, and in some cases an out right lack of interest and resonance. And yet, I’d be lying if I said that there wasn’t something seemingly ‘mystical’ about my approach to creativity. That seems to be the one place that I can allow for some degree of openness to such things. Thanks again for such a wonderful reply!
i was raised rigidly Catholic as well, and it was all a front for pretty awful abuse. I think religion exists to subjugate people. It’s a human parameter around some funamental truths and that’s hard to separate, as you are describing.
What I had to do was feel into what was true for me, and what I observed to be true. Once I started noticing coincidences was what brought me back to the universe/god/spirituality. the name doesn’t matter. Titles don’t matter, dogma doesn’t matter. You find your truth through your art, and that is connecting to your inner self/source.
perfectly said!
Whew. You nailed that creative aura here. And congrats on getting your art accepted!!!! I really love the measure and the consequence.
Much appreciated Jenn!!
My pleasure!
Creating art is the best prayer and meditation!
Agreed! It’s definitely a meditative and contemplative practice for me!
Congratulations! 🎉
Thanks so much!
You have an exceptional eye for balance. Always enjoy your work!
Thanks Scott! Most days I feel imbalanced. I think collage is where I go to find it.
That effortful effortlessness becomes almost lucid when you slip into that creative space.
On that note, there are some really incredible pieces on this post- the color palettes really resonate with me - and even the contrast sends some powerful messages. It’s not a medium I’ve ever followed before- but now I can’t get enough of it🔥🔥
Steve, thank you so much! I came to collage really late in my creative life, mostly because I failed all teh other things, lol. I dreamed of drawing comics when I was a kid and I wanted to be an abstract painter as I got older. Neither proved to be a language I could ever learn to speak with any real fluidity. I stumbled into collage accidently and haphazardly. It was never on my radar and it took awhile to take it seriously, some days it’s still hard to. But, the fact remains that I found an ease of expression I’ve never had before. I’m so glad to hear you’re enjoying the work! That means a lot to me!
Beautifully said. I feel tfw same way about writing and even wrote a piece about that last year. It’s great to be in that space. And when it carries over into daily life, there’s nothing quite like it.
I really like your work.
We are looking for possibly some digital art to market our Airbnb. Your style is in a similar vein as our style of interior design.
Totally agree! Thanks for reading Allen. The more consistent I've been with my daily practice, the easier it is to step into that space. What I really struggle with is carrying it over into daily life.
Thanks for your kind words! As I mentioned I'm not a real graphic designer and I don't know what I'm doing, but depending on what you're looking for I could certainly try to help.
Thanks again!
Exquisite work and equally beautiful prose.
“Something whispers through the cracks of imperfect things.”