Mystical Abstract Art
By Tim Seaward
When attempts have been made to describe a work of abstract art
many people have used words like "feelings", "emotions", and
"soul". I think these words are clues to what is actually
happening within both the viewer and the artist.
The world of art and the environment of the mystical go back a
long way together with many facets in common with one another -
one being that they both seek to look into a deep unknown - and
then seek to manifest it into this physical world by one means
or another.
Therefore it is understandable that a non-representational
picture can be difficult to comment on. The viewer might be
"moved" by the artwork, but they may not really know why. I
believe it has something to do with their sleeping soul being
gently (or violently) shaken into a specific awareness. The
earthy physical body may have very little understanding as to
what might be happening, so they are left to struggle in
explaining a spiritual concept from a physical point of view.
However, as an artist who has acquired (and lives by) a little
understanding of certain spiritual aspects, here are my
offerings of what I believe happens when a viewer comes across a
mystical abstract painting.
In order to do that I want to present the whole episode from
all aspects:
The Spirit
One of the Spirit's major intentions is to bring spiritual
understanding into the physical realm. One way to do that is to
enter time and manifest a potential opportunity for a receptive
body. That receptive body can either be the person being offered
the opportunity - or the messenger of it. If they are the
messenger then there are many ways in which that message can be
put across ... and one of them is by producing a provocative
illustration or allegory in the form of an abstract painting.
The Messenger
... Or Artist in this case ... Or more specifically an artist
who is prone to take note of their own inner enigmatic visuals.
Once inspired the artist then sets about translating these
visions into a personal style of depiction. I think it is quite
probable that many an artist will be unconscious of what exactly
they are putting down upon the canvas ... all they might know is
that there is an urgent complusion to work with particular
colours, or in a specific style.
The Art
A personalized manifestation of the inner visuals ... portrayed
on board or canvas - or any other handy appropriate medium at
the time. The artist lets the visual take shape in their mind
and allows for interpretation into the physical world ... which
results in an artwork of surreal allegory, or be-riddled story,
or just a simple abstract presentation of specific colours or
shapes. Each element of the art will include (or be) a potential
key ready to allow the appropriate viewer entrance into its
intriguing yet creative environment.
The Viewer
A receptive observer viewing the art may initially have an
indefinable affinity with it. They are perhaps first emotionally
drawn to the image before them. And as their thoughts begin to
trigger other thoughts, gradual realizations start to become
apparent ... gaining strength until they acquire a personal
creative understanding seen only by themselves but which may
eventually involve others who come into contact with them.
The Gift
The originally unknown vision now begins to unfold its truth
within the receptive viewer. This can be in many guises ... a
simple affirmation ... a personal revelation ... a specific
spiritual, mental, or inner encouragement ... an energizing
edification for a hungry or floundering soul ... offering a
sense of contentment within a challenging situation ... This
gift can be as simple or as complicated as is required for the
viewer. Its influence can be timeless - remaining relevant over
a period of days, weeks, months, or years.
So the next time you seek to produce a piece of art or decide
to visit a gallery do not hesitate or dwell upon any lack within
you ... rather open your eyes (after all they are supposed to be
the windows of the body) and prepare yourself to either see in
order to create - or see in order to receive.
About the Author: Tim Seaward is the author of "Mystical
Abstract Art" He is also a practicing fine artist living and
working in the UK. Visit his site to find out exactly what he
paints. http://www.ablot.com or mailto:tim@ablot.com
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link:
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=40338&ca=Arts+and+Crafts
Monday, January 11, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Spiritual Friendships
Spiritual Friendships
By Meilena Hauslendale
As we walk along our paths in life, we will encounter several
forms of friendships. There will be friends of convenience,
friends by association, and friends of the heart. Friends out of
convenience are friendships that you might have simply because
you both are accessible to one another. These friendships are
common in a work or school environment as people are united by
place alone. You might even term these friendships as
‘associates’ instead of friends, because you associate with one
another because you feel that you have to.
These types of friendships can easily disappear as quickly as
they came or they can actually turn into more meaningful
friendships as time moves on. Then there are friends by
association, friendships that exist because of an association
with another friend. You might acquire these forms of
friendships because of your current friends. You acquire your
friend’s circle of companions and make them your own. These
associations can lack strong foundations and even knowledge of
one another, but either way, you respect them as a part of the
friend that originated the encounter.
Then there are friendships that are few and far between,
friends of the heart or friends of the spirit. You may find this
form of friendship with or in addition to your significant
other. This type of friendship is guided through a profound
spiritual connection. They are very pronounced and spiritually
ignited. They can overcome distance. They can surpass cultural
and language barriers. They can surpass age and even gender.
They do not exist out of convenience or association. These
friendships exist out of respect and purpose. This unity of
beings connects our hearts to our souls. They remind us and
encourage our greatness and contribute to our over all
well-being. These friendships exist on the purest of levels.
They are not sexually motivated. They do not even necessarily
rely on the power of any physical contact. They exist on a level
all on their own.
What these friendships do touch are our hearts. They leave
precious imprints where they matter the most. These friendships
are gifts unto themselves as they are aligned with our inner
workings and details. They somehow give us comfort no matter
what our state of mind and they seem to blanket our worries with
little or no effort. They exist not out of force, but out of
care.
These spiritual friendships allow us to actually feel the
insides of another. They allow us that close of a connection
that typically both people can feel the others thoughts and
emotions. We are attracted to them because we are intended to
be. These friendships may baffle and surprise us as they can
sneak up on us quickly, but they are friendships that need not
go unnoticed and certainly not forgotten, for however long they
are to stay.
About the Author: Inspirational Artist & Author Meilena
Hauslendale's work and articles are displayed internationally.
She is the founder of Silence Speaks International Artist
Association and the Editor of Intrigue Magazine. Published books
include, Making Your Purpose Your Business and Recognizing
Unhealthy Relationships. Website: http://www.meilena.com
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link:
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=2468&ca=Relationships
By Meilena Hauslendale
As we walk along our paths in life, we will encounter several
forms of friendships. There will be friends of convenience,
friends by association, and friends of the heart. Friends out of
convenience are friendships that you might have simply because
you both are accessible to one another. These friendships are
common in a work or school environment as people are united by
place alone. You might even term these friendships as
‘associates’ instead of friends, because you associate with one
another because you feel that you have to.
These types of friendships can easily disappear as quickly as
they came or they can actually turn into more meaningful
friendships as time moves on. Then there are friends by
association, friendships that exist because of an association
with another friend. You might acquire these forms of
friendships because of your current friends. You acquire your
friend’s circle of companions and make them your own. These
associations can lack strong foundations and even knowledge of
one another, but either way, you respect them as a part of the
friend that originated the encounter.
Then there are friendships that are few and far between,
friends of the heart or friends of the spirit. You may find this
form of friendship with or in addition to your significant
other. This type of friendship is guided through a profound
spiritual connection. They are very pronounced and spiritually
ignited. They can overcome distance. They can surpass cultural
and language barriers. They can surpass age and even gender.
They do not exist out of convenience or association. These
friendships exist out of respect and purpose. This unity of
beings connects our hearts to our souls. They remind us and
encourage our greatness and contribute to our over all
well-being. These friendships exist on the purest of levels.
They are not sexually motivated. They do not even necessarily
rely on the power of any physical contact. They exist on a level
all on their own.
What these friendships do touch are our hearts. They leave
precious imprints where they matter the most. These friendships
are gifts unto themselves as they are aligned with our inner
workings and details. They somehow give us comfort no matter
what our state of mind and they seem to blanket our worries with
little or no effort. They exist not out of force, but out of
care.
These spiritual friendships allow us to actually feel the
insides of another. They allow us that close of a connection
that typically both people can feel the others thoughts and
emotions. We are attracted to them because we are intended to
be. These friendships may baffle and surprise us as they can
sneak up on us quickly, but they are friendships that need not
go unnoticed and certainly not forgotten, for however long they
are to stay.
About the Author: Inspirational Artist & Author Meilena
Hauslendale's work and articles are displayed internationally.
She is the founder of Silence Speaks International Artist
Association and the Editor of Intrigue Magazine. Published books
include, Making Your Purpose Your Business and Recognizing
Unhealthy Relationships. Website: http://www.meilena.com
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link:
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=2468&ca=Relationships
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Spiritual Identification
Spiritual Identification
By Meilena Hauslendale
There are so many differences in our world. Our cultures are
different. Our languages are different. And our beliefs are
different. We come in different shapes and sizes. We each have
personal differences and ideals that allow us to identify who we
are and what we contribute to our societal makeup. Each one of
us is an intricate part of the whole.
Our differences allow us to complete all the functions that are
required for our world to run smoothly. However these
differences are not always applauded for their greatness.
Instead they are used to continue our separation.
We use these differences as excuses to not pursue unification.
We use them to divide, not conquer. Even the realms of religions
have at some point divided us instead of uniting us. Perhaps
what is missing is the pursuit of spiritual tolerance, a belief
that allows us to tolerate others’ religions, race, or creed by
simply focusing on our own spiritual identity.
After all, our experiences of spirituality are personal. Even
though our environment and encounters influence our direction,
it is up to us to decipher what path we choose to take. We can
choose to recognize our path or we can choose to avoid it. Some
paths lead to spiritual groups and some lead to individual
practice. Some people may identify with particular religious
beliefs and some may choose to establish their own belief or
practice. As long as the goal is for a universal goodness, the
belief or practice is of worth.
Whatever road allows you to acquire your spiritual identity,
travel. Whatever practice allows you a tranquil mind, then by
all means succumb to your intuition. If we stop to listen and
address what we feel is right and proper, then we are addressing
our own spiritual identity. We need not cling to a practice or
belief simply because we were born into it.
We can create our own beliefs and therefore our own identities.
Our beliefs would naturally be different as all of our
experiences in life are different. No one individual has had the
exact same life as the other. Sure we have similarities, but our
journeys are really quite individually mapped. It would be only
natural for us to develop our own concepts and pursuits based on
our experiences.
Spirituality is not a matter of force or inheritance. It is a
matter of the seeker pursuing a higher understanding of
themselves and the world around them. Spirituality is what we
acquire when we stop and take a moment to realize a universal
greatness is at work here. This universal greatness does not
separate us, but unites us as whole. This universal energy
relies on all of us despite our religions, beliefs, culture, or
language. It is the core of our identity. It is the makeup of
our existence.
Some long for the camaraderie of group belief structures and
that is quite acceptable. However, do not allow the group
conscience to overcome your own. You still have the
responsibility to identify yourself and your own nature. A group
may assist you in self realization, but they do not govern your
own intuition unless you allow them to do so. Pay attention to
yourself. If something doesn’t feel right or comfortable then
chances are your intuition is right.
Don’t be afraid to develop your faith and practice it on your
own. If you feel comfortable with this concept then it is for
you. If you need guidance or others with similar lines of faith
then a group may be more suitable. Allow your spiritual practice
to go where it needs to. You will eventually settle into a
foundation that will continue to grow and develop throughout the
years.
The beauty of spirituality is it allows us to define and focus
on our roles in our society. We no longer need to focus on what
we feel is right for others as that is not our responsibility.
When we focus on our own spiritual goals and attainments, we are
doing a great service because we are essentially allowing others
to do the same.
About the Author: Inspirational Artist & Author Meilena
Hauslendale's work and articles are displayed internationally.
She is the founder of Silence Speaks International Artist
Association and the Editor of Intrigue Magazine. Published books
include, Making Your Purpose Your Business and Recognizing
Unhealthy Relationships. Website: http://www.meilena.com
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=1863&ca=Self+Help
By Meilena Hauslendale
There are so many differences in our world. Our cultures are
different. Our languages are different. And our beliefs are
different. We come in different shapes and sizes. We each have
personal differences and ideals that allow us to identify who we
are and what we contribute to our societal makeup. Each one of
us is an intricate part of the whole.
Our differences allow us to complete all the functions that are
required for our world to run smoothly. However these
differences are not always applauded for their greatness.
Instead they are used to continue our separation.
We use these differences as excuses to not pursue unification.
We use them to divide, not conquer. Even the realms of religions
have at some point divided us instead of uniting us. Perhaps
what is missing is the pursuit of spiritual tolerance, a belief
that allows us to tolerate others’ religions, race, or creed by
simply focusing on our own spiritual identity.
After all, our experiences of spirituality are personal. Even
though our environment and encounters influence our direction,
it is up to us to decipher what path we choose to take. We can
choose to recognize our path or we can choose to avoid it. Some
paths lead to spiritual groups and some lead to individual
practice. Some people may identify with particular religious
beliefs and some may choose to establish their own belief or
practice. As long as the goal is for a universal goodness, the
belief or practice is of worth.
Whatever road allows you to acquire your spiritual identity,
travel. Whatever practice allows you a tranquil mind, then by
all means succumb to your intuition. If we stop to listen and
address what we feel is right and proper, then we are addressing
our own spiritual identity. We need not cling to a practice or
belief simply because we were born into it.
We can create our own beliefs and therefore our own identities.
Our beliefs would naturally be different as all of our
experiences in life are different. No one individual has had the
exact same life as the other. Sure we have similarities, but our
journeys are really quite individually mapped. It would be only
natural for us to develop our own concepts and pursuits based on
our experiences.
Spirituality is not a matter of force or inheritance. It is a
matter of the seeker pursuing a higher understanding of
themselves and the world around them. Spirituality is what we
acquire when we stop and take a moment to realize a universal
greatness is at work here. This universal greatness does not
separate us, but unites us as whole. This universal energy
relies on all of us despite our religions, beliefs, culture, or
language. It is the core of our identity. It is the makeup of
our existence.
Some long for the camaraderie of group belief structures and
that is quite acceptable. However, do not allow the group
conscience to overcome your own. You still have the
responsibility to identify yourself and your own nature. A group
may assist you in self realization, but they do not govern your
own intuition unless you allow them to do so. Pay attention to
yourself. If something doesn’t feel right or comfortable then
chances are your intuition is right.
Don’t be afraid to develop your faith and practice it on your
own. If you feel comfortable with this concept then it is for
you. If you need guidance or others with similar lines of faith
then a group may be more suitable. Allow your spiritual practice
to go where it needs to. You will eventually settle into a
foundation that will continue to grow and develop throughout the
years.
The beauty of spirituality is it allows us to define and focus
on our roles in our society. We no longer need to focus on what
we feel is right for others as that is not our responsibility.
When we focus on our own spiritual goals and attainments, we are
doing a great service because we are essentially allowing others
to do the same.
About the Author: Inspirational Artist & Author Meilena
Hauslendale's work and articles are displayed internationally.
She is the founder of Silence Speaks International Artist
Association and the Editor of Intrigue Magazine. Published books
include, Making Your Purpose Your Business and Recognizing
Unhealthy Relationships. Website: http://www.meilena.com
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=1863&ca=Self+Help
Friday, January 8, 2010
What Is Spiritual Enlightenment
What Is Spiritual Enlightenment
By Spiritual Now Editors
The three stages of enlightenment
Spiritual enlightenment is the basic goal of any spiritual
practice that you undertake. Spiritual enlightenment marks the
culminating point of your practices: when one attains spiritual
enlightenment, one feels the unity of soul with everything and
all the mental and physical engagements are left aside.
Spiritual enlightenment is the possession of highly evolved
souls, and great spiritual masters of the whole world propagate
the fundamentals that they experience through spiritual
enlightenment.
As it seems, spiritual enlightenment is often categorized into
levels for practical purposes. Highest stage of spiritual
enlightenment marks the attainment of God, but still there are
certain levels through which the individual needs to evolve. It
is like rising from the levels of animality to which we often
tend to degrade ourselves. From the levels of animality, we rise
to the level of humanity, which constitutes our true nature. And
further from humanity to divinity, where we merge back in the
source from where we have come. Let us, for our practical
purpose, put them in stages and analyze the state of being in
each stage:
The first stage of spiritual enlightenment
At the very first level of spiritual enlightenment, the
individual starts experiencing the reality as it is. It means
that your mind ceases to interfere with what you are
experiencing. Quite often, we are engaged in continuous talk,
gossip, analyzing the environment around us, planning about
future, and so on. However, when spiritual enlightenment dawns
on your being, you take everything as it is.
The second stage of spiritual enlightenment
At the second stage of spiritual enlightenment, you feel
yourself in almost everything around you. You feel that you have
some connection to every object and every individual in the
world. It is like losing your own individuality. Spiritual
enlightenment has its culmination at merging the soul in Supreme
Soul, and this is where you start experiencing it. You feel that
you are not individual anymore and not separate from anything.
You feel that you are in everything and everything is just a
part of the Supreme Soul from where you also have emerged.
The third stage of spiritual enlightenment
At the third stage of spiritual enlightenment, you no longer
feel connected to everything but realize you are everything.
Because spiritual enlightenment gives you the experience of
oneness with God, you feel that you are not separate from
anything. You are not merely the body, sense, mind, and faculty
of intellect: you are what everything else is. This stage of
spiritual enlightenment imparts the direct experience of
oneness.
Spiritual enlightenment is the fruit that sets you free, as you
lose all wants and wishes to receive the fruits of your actions.
You feel the bliss of completeness through spiritual
enlightenment. At first it gives you the feeling that you need
"Light". At the next stage, you feel that you are merging in
"Light". At the culminating stage, you feel that you are no more
separated from "Light"—you and "Light" are one.
About the Author: Spiritual Now is a comprehensive guide to
spiritual enlightenment and online community to share ideas on
spirituality. Includes articles and interviews from spiritual
teachers on practicing meditation, having compassion and living
a moral life through understanding. http://www.spiritualnow.com
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=97226&ca=Religion
By Spiritual Now Editors
The three stages of enlightenment
Spiritual enlightenment is the basic goal of any spiritual
practice that you undertake. Spiritual enlightenment marks the
culminating point of your practices: when one attains spiritual
enlightenment, one feels the unity of soul with everything and
all the mental and physical engagements are left aside.
Spiritual enlightenment is the possession of highly evolved
souls, and great spiritual masters of the whole world propagate
the fundamentals that they experience through spiritual
enlightenment.
As it seems, spiritual enlightenment is often categorized into
levels for practical purposes. Highest stage of spiritual
enlightenment marks the attainment of God, but still there are
certain levels through which the individual needs to evolve. It
is like rising from the levels of animality to which we often
tend to degrade ourselves. From the levels of animality, we rise
to the level of humanity, which constitutes our true nature. And
further from humanity to divinity, where we merge back in the
source from where we have come. Let us, for our practical
purpose, put them in stages and analyze the state of being in
each stage:
The first stage of spiritual enlightenment
At the very first level of spiritual enlightenment, the
individual starts experiencing the reality as it is. It means
that your mind ceases to interfere with what you are
experiencing. Quite often, we are engaged in continuous talk,
gossip, analyzing the environment around us, planning about
future, and so on. However, when spiritual enlightenment dawns
on your being, you take everything as it is.
The second stage of spiritual enlightenment
At the second stage of spiritual enlightenment, you feel
yourself in almost everything around you. You feel that you have
some connection to every object and every individual in the
world. It is like losing your own individuality. Spiritual
enlightenment has its culmination at merging the soul in Supreme
Soul, and this is where you start experiencing it. You feel that
you are not individual anymore and not separate from anything.
You feel that you are in everything and everything is just a
part of the Supreme Soul from where you also have emerged.
The third stage of spiritual enlightenment
At the third stage of spiritual enlightenment, you no longer
feel connected to everything but realize you are everything.
Because spiritual enlightenment gives you the experience of
oneness with God, you feel that you are not separate from
anything. You are not merely the body, sense, mind, and faculty
of intellect: you are what everything else is. This stage of
spiritual enlightenment imparts the direct experience of
oneness.
Spiritual enlightenment is the fruit that sets you free, as you
lose all wants and wishes to receive the fruits of your actions.
You feel the bliss of completeness through spiritual
enlightenment. At first it gives you the feeling that you need
"Light". At the next stage, you feel that you are merging in
"Light". At the culminating stage, you feel that you are no more
separated from "Light"—you and "Light" are one.
About the Author: Spiritual Now is a comprehensive guide to
spiritual enlightenment and online community to share ideas on
spirituality. Includes articles and interviews from spiritual
teachers on practicing meditation, having compassion and living
a moral life through understanding. http://www.spiritualnow.com
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=97226&ca=Religion
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