Become More Fully Alive
Good art has the power to evoke an epiphany within us. When we find ourselves captivated by a work of art, something profound is happening. We may not yet fully understand it, but the wisdom of the unconscious is being revealed to our conscious minds. Great art presents us with archetypal images that speak to the deepest parts of our being.
As we engage with art, we are invited to consider its spirituality and transformative power. Immersing ourselves in art offers respite and contemplation, even as it shares powerful, inspiring, or difficult stories. These images are alive and have the ability to change us and catalyze change in the world around us. They can shift our perspective and challenge what we thought we knew.
Art is not merely decorative; it is a gateway to something far more expansive. When we slow down and allow a new experience to enter, we access realms that may not be accessible in any other way. We become part of a cosmic story, one that reveals deep patterns and our interconnectedness with all of life.
Whether we are Christian or of another faith, or even if we struggle to believe, this cosmic story offers us healing and coherence. It reminds us that we belong to something greater than ourselves, that we are part of a grand narrative that transcends our individual suffering and pain. Good art gives us a sense of our place in this world, and it invites us to embrace the profound truth that we are all in this together.
Let us, then, seek out art that speaks to our souls, that challenges and transforms us. For in doing so, we open ourselves to the epiphanies that await, and we become more fully alive, more deeply connected to the tapestry of existence.
(adopted from: Lourdes Bernard, Artmaking as Contemplative Praxis; Richard Rohr, Art and Spiritual Transformation)