Symbolic Projections

Some days I toil over the idea of what "mindfulness" entails. Today seems to be one of those days. Bringing back down to basics: 1 thing at a time. Doing something on purpose. Simply. It's an echo of something I heard Kabat-Zinn say this video from a several years back. With recent changes in group participants I decided it was time to return to basics - breath+body. Paying attention to and noticing how 'breath' affects our bodies in a very real way. Re-visiting a directive I first used in 2014 for an acute admissions dorm, Mindfulness with a Sponge . Engaging in rhythmic movement that is in pace with the breath. In time paint is introduced and manipulated using a moist sponge. Over the span of a few brief minutes and a series of overlapping horizontal strokes an abstract 'breath-scape' emerges. a serene body of water or a soothing cloud streaked sky... These are visual traces of breath. Likely the first time these clients have literally ...

"Don't let one cloud obliterate the whole sky." Anais Nin On my way to work one morning I noticed the sky streaking by the window. I cannot say what had consumed my attention up to that moment, save the monotony of the road and passing cars. Dawn came as a surprise. It brought an artists palette of long wispy streaks... oranges, magentas, and golds. It may have had teals and purples too. The image persisted long after the casual blues and white puffy clouds set-in. The memory persisted long into my work day. By mid-day I knew I wanted needed to bring  that moment into one of my groups, and I knew just the one. Using rectangular pieces of orange hanging folders (yep, recycling), small sponges (cut from packing material), and craft acrylics I set to the task of composing a mindful-art experience. The beauty is in the simplicity of the materials and the 'magic' that takes place in the process. After our usual group discussion I set out to be their guide...