DailyOM: How is painting meditative? And how is this kind of meditation beneficial?
Whitney: As I see it, the intention behind meditation is to bring ourselves to the present and to raise our level of consciousness. It can be challenging to become present in traditional meditation because trying not to think is such a contrast to our normal state. Painting meditation distracts our thinking, rational mind. The painting process brings us to the present and to the creative frequency which is an inherently higher vibration.
The space I create in this course for your painting meditation practice is unique to most "how to paint" courses, because my focus is on the meditative aspect, not the product-oriented aspect. The process is to paint with intention and play with color, to bring you to the present. And from this present moment, without any stories from your past or future that might limit your creative confidence, you can create art that brings you great healing and joy!
DailyOM: Not everyone feels they are creative or has confidence in doing art; they may have little experience in painting. What would you say to them? How do you help them overcome their doubts and fears?
Whitney: I love when people who have never painted join me in this painting meditation practice, because it will be such a contrast to your normal, day-to-day routine. My process is not about learning to paint, it is about learning to live as a life artist — and how you are creating the art that is your life in each and every moment. You are often simply creating without awareness. So, you are naturally creative. Everyone is creative. If you don't think you are, it is only because you are plugged into the old paradigm that "only some people are creative" and that creating is only worth your time if you can make money from it. In this course, the first step is just to play with the colors and to write words of intention; anyone can do that. I always make this painting meditation practice fun and easy so that everyone can reap the rewards of a personal painting practice.
When we empower ourselves to create what we want through art making, we will also create what we want in the art that is our life. The reason, as humans, we have always created art is because it connects us to our truest self, our highest self. When we express ourselves from our hearts, we learn to do the same in the rest of our life. If you feel like you cannot paint or that you are not creative, what I would ask you is, "Are you ready to love painting and to merge with your creative self?" That is what is available to you right now.
DailyOM: Mandalas have a special significance in this course. What is a mandala and why are they important to you?
Whitney: One of the things I love about the mandala is that it is a sacred symbol that has been present in every single culture or tradition since the beginning of time. So that means there is a tremendous significance to the mandala. It has been used to connect our human selves to our divine selves; it has been a tool of self-awakening (imagine your truest self at the center and the design surrounding it symbolic of your journey to that center); and it has provided a structure for the wholeness of the healing journey.
Also, mandalas are widely recognized as a tremendous manifesting tool. Just by painting anything within a circle declares to the Universe that you are choosing this future reality, empowering the "powers that be" to begin to prepare your journey into that desired experience. This is why, in this course, you will paint your intentions into the first layers of your mandala. This process straps rocket-boosters to your dreams and visions. Of course, the other thing I absolutely love about creating mandalas is that they are inherently relaxing and meditative.
The mandala design itself is easy to create, and the round-and-round nature of that process harmonizes the two hemispheres of your brain (as experienced in EMDR, for example), bringing you to the present. Then, your finished mandala painting radiates, and is infused, with that same relaxing, meditative, and healing energy, which can only attract more of the same into the art that is your life.
DailyOM: Tell us about some of the other creative exercises and homework that you teach in this course.
Whitney: You will learn how to paint with acrylic paints, how the layering process ensures a satisfying painting meditation experience, how to set intentions in language that is effective, how to mix colors, and how to paint a mandala design. For many of us the question: "What do you want?" can be challenging.
When you take the time to meditate on what you want and then create it physically into being, changes in your life begin to happen. You can then use this process in your art journal, in meditative creative visualization exercises, and much more. With everything you learn in this course, you will be able to begin and/or maintain a personal painting practice for as long as you desire.
DailyOM: You say that "art making reflects life making." How so?
Whitney: The art you make becomes a mirror. It will reflect back to you where you gain creative energy and where you lose it. For example, if you are very critical of yourself, you will be critical of yourself as you paint. If you are someone who loves to start projects, but seldom brings them to completion, this will be your experience when making art. The key is that now, because it is removed from your routine or patterns of creating, you can be self-loving; you can practice completing projects. You can practice being wild and free or courageous or detail oriented or playful -- in your art. Wherever you get stuck in the art that is your life, it will show up as you paint.
In this course, I encourage you along the way to look at these creative blocks objectively, and be the change you desire. The change you create while painting will create new patterns of thinking, doing, creating within you, and the benefits will ripple out far and wide from your painting. Second, the artwork becomes a vehicle of manifestation. For example, when we are stressed or worried, we are painting pictures in our mind of what we do not want to happen, instead of imagining and visualizing what we do want to experience in the art that is our life.
The painting process I teach in this course illuminates this truth and will develop within you a new sensitivity to your thoughts. Do your thoughts support what you want or not? It will become very obvious and easier and easier with each brush stroke to learn to think the thoughts that expand the energy of what you want to have, to experience, to create, to enjoy. It still surprises me how powerful, accessible, fun, and simple this process is. It is my greatest joy to share it with the world.
DailyOM: Whitney brings energy, warmth, and passion to this course. Her playfulness and encouragement are freeing and uplifting! By the end of the course, you will discover a whole new appreciation for your inner artist — and your creativity. Until next time, be well.
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