Quiet friend who has come so far,
feel how your breathing makes more space around you.
Let this darkness be a bell tower
and you the bell. As you ring,
what batters you becomes your strength.
Move back and forth into the change.
What is it like, such intensity of pain?
If the drink is bitter, turn yourself to wine.
In this uncontainable night,
be the mystery at the crossroads of your senses,
the meaning discovered there.
And if the world has ceased to hear you,
say to the silent earth: I flow.
To the rushing water, speak: I am.
– Rainer Maria Rilke
There is so much intensity and polarity happening in the world right now that one must continually check in within and feel their deeper truth and stillness. Distraction, fear, despair, division… these are just some words that come to mind when I read the news.
In this year alone I have felt my own compassion expand even further, one that includes so much more of humanity, one that sees racist crimes and this current election year to be an uncovering of collective cries. I feel that we long for more unity and compassion along with this those that are disenfranchised and living in monumental fear. This unyielding feeling of hanging tight feels so needed. One’s almost duty then becomes drawing closer to the infinite well within. The hope I contain is that this worldly gunk needs to be uncovered so that so much more of us can get involved for our one human family. For that which lives and breathes: animals, plants, all humans, all life. I don’t feel that things are getting worse per se; I just feel we are becoming more aware. We are in a heightened state of the Age of Information. Underlying systematic fears are getting more uncovered and intense. I also feel that many of us are getting close and more unified in hearing the collective cry of the world.
Painting is a way to come home to your most quiet self. It frees you from the inside and out onto the substrate. You see your own inner world through color, line, shape, and movement. It can sometimes feel like a revelation.
When reflecting upon my own journey I take a comfort in knowing that when one goes through great pain one also expands capacity for greater love.
Yes dear, just know that if you are experiencing sorrow and crippling pain, which perhaps at times feels unbearable, know that you will come through. You will come out as a radiant healthier you: a little more wise, expanded, patient, kind, understanding, and simple. Pain’s medicine has a way of doing that. It forces us to grow the *@#$ up. It unveils us to more of our treasures within. We must go there, our soul is literally crying out for it when we or the world lets us down. So come gather inside your own being as well as gather with kindred company. You no longer have to be the victim of your own story, you get to be the heroine.
The sweet aftermath. A scene left over from a night of creating with new and old friends. Collective art-making is balm for the feminine soul.
Gathering together and feeling our collective oneness is essential. No one can walk this journey alone. We get by with a little help from our friends.
So get to know that golden heart of yours.
You know, the one that shines from within and is made of stardust, darling.
Very lovely + inspiring place to create and co-create❤ and thank you for those words/reminders. Now I am feeling less alone.
Oh that makes me happy to read Anab! Xoxox
Dearest Alena, I love your art so much and what is shining from your deep inside on the surface of your whole beeing…you are true…there is so much pain in the world…but I feel from deep inside of me that we all…who want to bring light into this world have to surrender to the light and not to the darkness…so let us all do one experiment …let us only focus on our light…let us lit our light and let us be guided through this light…this will effect at least the surrounding of us at least our 15-20 feet surrounding…and so we can bring light to the people in our surrounding…even when they are full of pain….this I feel is our mission as human beings and as artist we can bring it in the world through our paintings….and you are doing it already ….Lots of Love, Clara
Thank you my kindred friend. I look forward to meeting you one day… xo
Dear Alena, Were you speaking to me through this writing, it felt so. With the illness and death of my Father, I am experiencing a cycle of grief and pain. I know that it is necessary and will enrich my life with increased layers of compassion for all who experience watching those they love experience serious illness and subsequent death. It is difficult, I will tell you true. Thank you for your kind words and wisdom. I have not been painting, I feel that I have no sacred space to do so in my new home. There is too much joyful distraction and not enough space. Currently I am searching for a space to lease locally that I can make my own sanctuary, in the meantime, I will paint as space allows. I am so looking forward to the Soul Painting Autumn, it is a treat I feel that I so richly deserve. I look forward to seeing you, Jane, and communing with new souls in the lovely mountains. Much love to you dear one- Liz
I am so glad I get to have some more time with your preciousness Liz, especially at this time!
Wise words sweet soul
Xoxoxo