Mindfulness Based Art an appreciative inquiry into expressive mind Margaret Jones Callahan
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Transforming Grief Part 1: Screen Memory

11/14/2016

2 Comments

 
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                MBAT: Transforming Grief part 1: Screen Memory
First in a series of six posts exploring grief through Mindfulness Based Art


Chogyam Trungpa taught us to look directly at what is, to reach for our inherent sanity, thereby releasing the power of compassion through our expressive minds. We can heal pain with love, clarity, and the strength of our human hearts. And we can keep on walking and talking.

In the MBAT journey of transformation you apply your Mindfulness Art practices to any situation that confronts you. By intentionally carrying awareness into your creative expression you touch your heart and are able to connect with its strength, an ever present and deep power.



Many friends and family are facing illnesses that are debilitating and sometimes life-threatening. Grief and death have become more apparent in our daily worlds. Most of us know someone who is confronting cancer, Alzheimer’s, or a similarly challenging disease.

Sometimes these experiences are hard to put into words. Mindfulness Based Art provides a way to express and explore these difficult feelings. In Mindfulness experience, states of being arise that infuse freedom, joy or beauty into difficult, painful realities. MBAT may offer insights that surprise us.

For the next 6 weeks I will share with you a journey into the world of grief and beauty, sadness and joy, life and loss.


Our journey begins with a memory of a deeply loved friend. Her Alzheimer’s has constricted her social world and severely limited her relationships. Wheel chair bound, in a care facility in a large city, she is still able to recognize long-time friends and her close family. On a good day, being in her presence is like being flooded with sunshine. She is warm, loving, and socially gracious. She will laugh at your jokes. The staff love her. Her powerful heart essence cuts through medications and penetrates the hearts of those who sit with her.


Having been deeply touched and feeling the rawness of my open heart, I painted SCREEN MEMORY after one such visit.  The painting expresses a memory of being with her in an earlier time when she could hike, discuss, dance and teach.
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It is a screen that covers and links to a chain of memories, all of which touch the love being expressed and touch my missing of the friendship as it was.  The beauty and fun and tenderness of the friendship are here.

Next week we'll look at what lies beneath the screen
2 Comments
Sally Swain link
12/8/2016 06:15:52 pm

Thank you, Margaret, for your honesty and courage. And generous heart.

Reply
Margaret Jones Callahan
12/28/2016 01:29:41 pm

Thanks Sally. I trust that those following the conversation will take a spark from whatever touches them, into their daily life. Peace.

Reply



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    The Expressive Mind Blog

    Margaret believes in the transformative power of Mindfulness Based Art. In 2011, she founded the MBAT Summer Institute to train clinicians and educators.


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  • Paintings by Margaret
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  • About The Book
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  • Blog
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    • True Point
  • About The Author