Creativity and meditation in my spiritual practice this summer
Now that I’m somewhat fifteen years into my relationship with Tibetan Buddhism, I can feel that its deep meditative practices and rich artistic traditions have helped me to unlock and work with the creative aspects of my own mind.
Not only does practicing meditation, with its ability to bring focus and awareness on the present moment help bring my mind to cultivate clarity, presence and a sense of stillness, but the vivid imagery and profound emotional expressions used throughout the visual aspects of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition offer a way to connect to new ideas. Both are fertile ground for inviting to oneself, creativity.
This summer, as I volunteered at Lam Rim Wales, my creative expression expanded with the peace and the light that moved through the Centre and creativity become part of my daily spiritual practice.
For weeks I wrote poetry, doodled and painted while the Centre was alive within me and around me. So much inspiration caught me at a wonderful time. With intention and presence and tools to clear mental clutter, I noticed the fleeting nature of life moving with me and through me.
I still hold on to those days as autumn meets me and remember life at Lam Rim Wales with gratitude. It´s for that, that I feel a sense of service in sharing a little bit of the creative flow from this summer in this blog.
With the purpose of remembering that we are all connected together, here you have it some of my doodles and poems that become alive with the help of our Centre.
With the warmest of wishes
Aneka Dewi
The August crickets
It was early August and the crickets sang,
Drumming, beating, never a pause,
Playing songs through the air,
Their singing heard from everywhere.
The afternoon surrendered their sounds,
And garden steps sharper then,
The loose teas and the fountain in flow,
Gave crickets room to flaunt and bow.
Then with a tea a lady walked by,
With shoes of lace and a delicate fan,
The sun grew fond and sat her down,
And the crickets kissed her glimmering gown.
© Aneka Dewi
Front garden of Lam Rim
Love´s emotion
If I had a talent to draw,
I would take a sharp pencil,
And capture the image now pure.
The waves moving slow,
And the newly fallen leaves,
Easy through the open window.
The dew drops in motion,
With my rolling tears gone by,
Linking us all into love´s emotion.
© Aneka Dewi
Buddha statue from the teaching room
Aneka Dewi: https://annekapoet.wixsite.com/aneka-dewi