Unless a person has been living in a well-constructed underwater cave, one has at least passing familiarity with the term “mindfulness.” To recap from Google to Wikipedia:
“Mindfulness is the psychological process of bringing one’s attention to experiences occurring in the present moment, which can be developed through the practice of meditation and other training.”
In brief, mindfulness means paying attention. Surprisingly enough, perhaps, none of us practice this 24/7. Our minds are often caught up in mindless routine (done completely without conscious thought; such as driving home from work and not being aware of anything until we get home) or busyness, doing anything so we don’t have to think overly much, but maybe getting something done that doesn’t require much planning, creativity or involvement (folding laundry, totaling lists of numbers, doing most any chore for the thousandth time). Busyness may also describe time spent with social media.
Yet mindfulness also encourages responding to things with an attitude of non-judgmental acceptance, as long as the moment is not dangerous to one’s health or well-being.
I got on this track, considering mind habits, while working on #5 in my “Inky Geometrics” series [soon to be introduced]. This is a particularly fun series for me, involving control and non-control and all the elements of art in their purest forms. To do this, as when doing most art, I need to suspend everyday thoughts and enter a state of mindfulness.
Abstract art compositions demand engagement without thought even for most viewers. They don’t offer a prepaid political or ideological agenda, but may bring up associations. The “Inky Geometrics” series doesn’t have an agenda beyond the viewer experiencing color, shape, positioning, contrast, and movement between its parts; in effect they whisper sweet nothings.
To enjoy such a non-thought communication it is most helpful to employ mindfulness, especially at first meeting. Busyness won’t do as one’s attention is virtually nowhere. Mindlessness may work for some. The art itself offers simple engagement.
“Mindfulness is the psychological process of bringing one’s attention to experiences occurring in the present moment, which can be developed through the practice of meditation and other training.”
In brief, mindfulness means paying attention. Surprisingly enough, perhaps, none of us practice this 24/7. Our minds are often caught up in mindless routine (done completely without conscious thought; such as driving home from work and not being aware of anything until we get home) or busyness, doing anything so we don’t have to think overly much, but maybe getting something done that doesn’t require much planning, creativity or involvement (folding laundry, totaling lists of numbers, doing most any chore for the thousandth time). Busyness may also describe time spent with social media.
Yet mindfulness also encourages responding to things with an attitude of non-judgmental acceptance, as long as the moment is not dangerous to one’s health or well-being.
I got on this track, considering mind habits, while working on #5 in my “Inky Geometrics” series [soon to be introduced]. This is a particularly fun series for me, involving control and non-control and all the elements of art in their purest forms. To do this, as when doing most art, I need to suspend everyday thoughts and enter a state of mindfulness.
Abstract art compositions demand engagement without thought even for most viewers. They don’t offer a prepaid political or ideological agenda, but may bring up associations. The “Inky Geometrics” series doesn’t have an agenda beyond the viewer experiencing color, shape, positioning, contrast, and movement between its parts; in effect they whisper sweet nothings.
To enjoy such a non-thought communication it is most helpful to employ mindfulness, especially at first meeting. Busyness won’t do as one’s attention is virtually nowhere. Mindlessness may work for some. The art itself offers simple engagement.