Leaves
Negative space study #22
Pen and ink on 70 lb paper, 9"x2 7/8"
Copyright Anna T.
My 2009 intention: Space/spaciousness
In setting intentions for 2009, my main aim is for space or spaciousness to perpetuate my life, my art practice, and my meditation practice. Spaciousness, in this case, does not necessarily refer to doing nothing, but instead brings about a place from which equanimity, mindfulness, intuition, a third option, decisiveness, and faith can be accessed.
If I were to draw a figure-ground diagram of my mind/body state over the past year (figure representing the focused, thinking, doing, often contracted mind/body and ground representing the expansive, spacious, relaxed mind/body) chances are that the result would be predominantly represented by figure. In addition, as I am getting ready to launch my online shop, I have quickly realized that to make your art into your business does not mean having more time to practice art, but rather the opposite.
Tithing time to my intention
In planning my coming few weeks, I got to thinking about the concept of tithing or donating 10% of your income to a worth-while cause. What if I were to tithe 10% of my time, or 2h 24 min/day, to my intention of spaciousness, to activities such as creating art without judgment, taking walks, exercising, meditating, taking a short break of a breath or two every so often, or just allowing myself to be. The ratio between these components may vary, but the benefits from setting this intention will remain. My thought is that by regularly interspersing small doses of spaciousness into my life, the entire fabric of life will soften from a tightly woven to a loosely knit scarf.
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3 comments:
Anna T -
I love your analogy of moving toward a "loosely knit scarf" - seems like most of us live so tightly / constricted - not allowing the heart to open and realize our inate wonderfulness. I think of what it's like when a cloudy day (or week) finally disipates, and we realize that the blue sky was always there, it never ceased to exist, it was just obscured. I am a meditator, and I love your blog.
Great post Anna
I have given 10% (or more) of my time to charitable work, and have met many new people that have become collectors of my work.
It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Good luck creating space. A very interesting way to look at the new year.
I like your concept of tithing time to create spaciousness in your life--and the loosely knit scarf. Food for thought! :)
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