Process: 1.
Focus your attention on the art object to the
right, and try
to turn
off the left side of your
brain (the part that functions to analyze
things logically, verbally, rationally), and let the right side
take over (the part that is governed by feelings, emotions, perceptions)
for awhile.
2.
I like to have some music playing softly in
the background. It
isn't
essential to the
experience but it may help to blot out some of
the
constant noise clutter that seems to be everywhere these days.
The music should not
be familiar in melody and, if there is anything
vocal, it should not be recognizable English
language. In short,
nothing distracting, no
matter how beautiful in its own right.
3. I
usually start with a "centering time" to let
go of everything
that I'm carrying around
mentally and spiritually, and that's helped
by a brief prayer inviting God's peace into my mind
and heart.
4.
Unless I'm sharing this process with others,
I do not verbalize
or vocalize
what comes to
me as I look at the art piece. I let myself
move
in and with the experience of light, color,
shape, mood, and seek
to perceive and respond to God however God is revealed in that
moment. The experience, for me, is one of
"
togethering," a
sharing or communion in
which I am led without any plan or effort
on my part.
What I am given to "
see" or understand is
not of my own initiative. It cannot be produced by an act of
will. Sometimes it is very deep and involving; other times less
so. Each
occasion is unique.
5.
It is a "stream of consciousness of free-association" sort
of experience that is guided
only by my intention to seek God and,
so, that is where God leads it and in which God participates. Experiment to
see what works best for you. It does take a while to get comfortable
with the whole concept and to discover how best to give yourself
to it.
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