Finding the Doorway to deeper Truth
I am the doorway
I am the doorway to your deeper truth
Come away from the loud clanging of the world
Enter into the silence
Sit with me in the darkness
Listen for the voice inside you
The one who knows the next right step for you
Because I am you.
This message came to me as I sat with my collage image that emerged during the most recent session of Creative Resistance.
Funny thing about listening for your inner wisdom - once it speaks, any plans you already made need to be put aside.
Here’s what this deep listening looks like for me:
Begin with a stance of inquiry and openness to what wants to emerge.
Hold the plans for desired outcomes loosely or better yet, release them entirely.
Allow the image to guide the way, changing course or completely reversing direction in the unfolding.
Pause and ask the image what next steps are needed in terms of colors, textures, shapes, lines.
I planned to arrange my collage papers in a cruciform format, laying out paper bits emphasizing strong vertical and horizontal lines. I was definitely planning to use strips of text which I’ve been using in most of my collage pieces.
But a doorway showed up instead.
A doorway that leads to darkness. Not a scary darkness, but a quiet and still darkness where the sound of my soul can be heard over the clamor of life.
And then, I noticed that this image captures the essence of how I am showing up in the world.
I’ve often thought of myself as a doorman (doorperson?) pointing the way toward a deeper, more authentic life. Maybe like the doorman in the movie “Eloise at Christmastime” who operates the elevator in New York’s Plaza Hotel. Pretty cute movie. Anyway, the elevator doorman is very stoic, never cracking a smile or speaking a word. He is a quiet presence who is focused on his job. Eloise gives Christmas presents to all the hotel staff, including the elevator doorman. On Christmas morning, as Eloise steps into the elevator, the doorman gives her a wave, wiggling his fingers inside a pair of gloves with colorful bells sewn onto each fingertip, Eloise’s Christmas gift to him.
This brief scene resonates with me because that character personifies a subtle presence who incorporates a bit of levity with his jingly gloves in carrying out his very serious job as the elevator doorman.
I see my mission as one who holds the door open for women to connect to their Creative Source, to their deep inner wisdom. And I’m choosing to do that with a little colorful levity to balance the seriousness of it all.
In order to support my mission in this season, I’m answering the persistent invitation to return to my own art space and spend more time with my creative practice. The art keeps knocking. It reminds me that the time is now to creatively express what is truest within me.
Thomas Merton declared that a tree gives glory to God by being a tree. Paraphrasing Merton, I declare that a creative soul gives glory to God by creating. And so I am called to return to my art space as an act of devotion to tend to my soul. Now more than ever, I need to put on my own oxygen mask before helping others. Perhaps you have felt that invitation, too?
After prioritizing my own creative practice, here’s what I am offering you:
Think of me as your chief encourager, cheering on your steps to find more ways to be creative. I’ll be the one handing our permission slips until you remember how to give yourself permission to be creative. I teach entry level creative techniques to lower the obstacles to beginning your own creative practice. And I’ll share all the benefits of sustaining a creative practice.
After experiencing the power of expressive arts, I’m adding art materials to spiritual direction sessions because images can speak louder than words. If you’re interested in exploring art as part of your spiritual practice, grab a time that fits with your schedule and let’s talk about it!
I’m sharing creative tools that can shift energy and restore equanimity because engaging in creativity has helped me regain my balance after too much time reading the news! I’ve seen the positive effects in the Creative Resistance sessions again and again.
Come play with us in our next Creative Resistance session on June 14th at 11:00 am eastern on Zoom. We’ll be drawing wonky mandalas. Drawing simple patterns over and over can bring about compassionate mindfulness. This practice keeps you grounded in the present moment, focusing only on where the next line will go.
If you know how to print the alphabet, you have all the skills you need to create your own wonky mandala!
I’m holding the door for you!