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A hypnotist tells a subject that their outstretched arm will begin to rise upward as though tied to an invisible balloon. To their astonishment, the subject’s arm rises just as suggested, and seemingly without their intention. While it may appear as though the subject is being controlled by the hypnotist, it is well established that nobody can be hypnotised against their will. Hypnosis therefore seems to present a paradox

The post Hypnosis and the conscious awareness of intentions appeared first on OUPblog.

I don’t know anything about this book, but it came across my desk the other day and I had to point it out.

Look:

You, dear cover, are not a labyrinth. You are a puzzle. Or a maze. You look neat. Really neat. But you’re still not a labyrinth.

The title page, however, has totally got this labyrinth thing down:

The messages are a bit mixed, but that’s okay with me. Because The Universe is obviously trying to make contact with me via labyrinths.

It’s probably telling me to slow down, meditate, enjoy the world.

Or to eat more greens.

Who knows?

The post “What do you think of my labyrinth?” part 2 appeared first on The Horn Book.

The other day I was at the gym, ready to fire up the podcasts I had lined up for an hour of listening when halfway through the first, I realized I just wasn’t paying attention to a single thing said on the podcast.

Now normally, I would have just pressed the “back 15 seconds” button until I’d found the point I had zoned out, but this time, I made a conscious decision to turn off my phone and run the next five miles in total silence.

Lately, I’ve felt rather crowded in my own head. I don’t necessarily mean my doubts or worries or anxieties (although yes, they’re there too), I mean just…things that are competing for my attention. Audiobooks. Podcasts. Music. It’s gotten to the point where I’ve realized that aside from sleep, there’s hardly a single point in the day when I am NOT engaged with some sort auditory media. I listen to audiobooks and podcasts at my day job, at the gym, during my commute, while I walk the dogs, when I was the dishes, do the laundry, clean the house, etc. The only time I am not listening to something is when I am writing, and even then, I usually have music.

I’d been feeling creatively stoppered and I couldn’t quite figure out why.

Once I’d turned off the podcast at the gym, I understood.

There is value in silence. In boredom. I’d forgotten that. As a child I had spent so much of the dead time between structured things simply imagining. Creating. Daydreaming. Back then, I didn’t have a phone with Twitter, my entire music library, games, etc. Back then, the only thing I had to amuse myself was myself. When I let my phone screen go dark and run in silence, I let my mind go blank. With all the other distractions tuned out, thoughts and ideas about my writing began to bubble up to the surface. I let them bubble and brew, not thinking, not working. When I got home and fired on my computer, I was rejuvenated and for the first time in a long time, the words began to flow.

I’d recently gotten back into my yoga practice, and we traditionally end each class in shavasana, or corpse pose. As my teacher says, it is the easiest pose to do physically, but the hardest pose to do mentally. Often during shavasana, we find ourselves actively thinking, about what errands we need to do next, how many words we’ve achieved, what needs to be done. Letting those active thoughts go, to exist in a state of passive meditation, to focus on the moment, the breath going in, the breath going out, that is much harder.

I find mindfulness on the mat, but had not found mindfulness in other areas of my life. My brain was “on” at all times that it didn’t have room to let my ideas and creativity develop.

The idea hovered and shimmered delicately, like a soap bubble, and [Lyra] dared not even look at it directly in case it burst. But she was familiar with the way of ideas, and she let it shimmer, looking away, thinking about something else.

-Philip Pullman, The Golden Compass

So now I don’t fear the silence. I let my commutes, my runs at the gym, my household chores be quiet. My mind is not so crowded, and my thoughts have room to breathe.

What about you? Have any of you discovered that “shutting off” helps your creativity? Are you afraid of boredom? Let us know in the comments!

Today, 18 January 2015 marks World Religion Day across the globe. The day was created by the Baha’i faith in 1950 to foster dialogue and to and improve understanding of religions worldwide and it is now in its 64th year.

The aim of World Religion Day is to unite everyone, whatever their faith, by showing us all that there are common foundations to all religions and that together we can help humanity and live in harmony. The day often includes activities and events calling the attention of the followers of world faiths. In honour of this special day and to increase awareness of religions from around the world, we asked a few of our authors to dispel some of the popular myths from their chosen religions.

*   *   *   *   *

Myth: Quakers are mostly silent worshippers

“If you are from Britain, or certain parts of the United States, you may think of Quakers as a quiet group that meets in silence on Sunday mornings, with only occasional, brief vocal messages to break the silence. Actually, between eighty and ninety per cent of Quakers are “pastoral” or “programmed” Friends, with the majority of these living in Africa (more in Kenya than any other country) and other parts of the global South. The services are conducted by pastors, and include prayers, sermons, much music, and even occasionally (in Burundi, for instance) dancing! Pastoral Quaker services sometimes include a brief period of “unprogrammed” worship, and sometimes not.  Quaker worship can be very lively!”

— Stephen W. Angell is Leatherock Professor of Quaker Studies, Earlham School of Religion and editor of The Oxford Handbook of Quaker Studies

*   *   *   *   *

Myth: Zen as the Buddhist meditation school

“Zen is known as the Buddhist school emphasizing intensive practice of meditation, the name’s literal meaning that represents the Japanese pronunciation of an Indian term (dhyana). But hours of daily meditative practice are limited to a small group of monks, who participate in monastic austerities at a handful of training temples. The vast majority of members of Zen only rarely or perhaps never take part in this exercise. Instead, their religious affiliation with temple life primarily involves burials and memorials for deceased ancestors, or devotional rites to Buddhist icons and local spirits. Recent campaigns, however, have initiated weekly one-hour sessions introducing meditation for lay followers.”

— Steven Heine is Professor of Religion and History, Director of the Institute for Asian Studies, at Florida International University, and author of Zen Skin, Zen Marrow: Will the Real Zen Buddhism Please Stand Up?

*   *   *   *   *

Myth: Atheists have no moral standards

“This was a common cry in the nineteenth century – the British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli made it – and it continues in the twenty-first century.  Atheists respond in two ways. First, if you need a god for morality, then what is to stop that god from being entirely arbitrary? It could make the highest moral demand to kill everyone not fluent in English – or Hebrew or whatever. But if this god does not do things in an arbitrary fashion, you have the atheist’s second response. There must be an independent set of values to which even the god is subject, and so why should the non-believer not be subject to and obey them, just like everyone else?”

— Michael Ruse is Lucyle T. Werkmeister Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Program in the History and Philosophy of Science, at Florida State University and an editor of The Oxford Handbook of Atheism

*   *   *   *   *

Myth: Islam is a coercive communitarian religion

“Claims of an Islamic state to enforce Sharia as the law of the state are alien to historical Islamic traditions and rejected by the actual current political choices of the vast majority of Muslims globally. Belief in Islam must always be a free choice and compliance with Sharia cannot have any religious value unless done voluntarily with the required personal intent of each individual Muslim to comply (nya). Theologically Islam is radically democratic because individual personal responsibility can never be abdicated or delegated to any other human being (see e.g. chapters and verses 6:164; 17:15; 35:18; 39:7; 52:21; 74:38 of the Quran).”

— Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na‘im is Charles Howard Candler Professor of Law at Emory University, and author of What Is an American Muslim? Embracing Faith and Citizenship

*   *   *   *   *

Myth: Are Mormons Christians?

“Are Mormons Christian? Yes, but with greater similarity to the Church before the fourth century creeds gave it its modern shape. Mormons believe in and worship God the Father, but deny the formulas which claim he is without body, parts, or—most critically—passions. Latter-day Saints accept his Son Jesus Christ as Savior and Redeemer, but reject the Trinitarian statements making him of one substance with the Father. Mormons accept the Bible as the word of God, but reject the closed canon dating from the same era, just as they believe that God continues to reveal the truth to prophets and seeking individuals alike.”

— Terryl Givens is Professor of Literature and Religion at the University of Richmond, and author of Wrestling the Angel, The Foundations of Mormon Thought: Cosmos, God, Humanity

*   *   *   *   *

Myth: Hinduism is tied to Southern Asia

“One myth about Hinduism is that it is an ethnic religion. The assumption is that Hinduism is tied to a particular South Asian ethnicity. This is misleading for at least three reasons. First, South Asia is ethnically diverse. Therefore, it is not logical to speak of a single, unified ethnicity. Second, Hinduism has long been established in Southeast Asia, where practitioners consider themselves Hindu but not South Asian. Third, although the appearance of ‘White Hindus’ is a phenomenon rather recent and somewhat controversial, the global outreach of Hindu missionary groups has prompted scores of modern converts to Hinduism throughout Europe and the Americas. In other words, not all Hindus are South Asian.”

— Kiyokazu Okita is Assistant Professor at The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research and Department of Indological Studies, Kyoto University, and author of Hindu Theology in Early Modern South Asia

*   *   *   *   *

Headline image credit: Candles, photo by Loren Kerns, CC-by-2.0 via Flickr

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A Connection of Energy Fields

From Asian cultures we learn that the body is essentially an energy field connected directly or indirectly to all other energy fields in the universe. Because all fields are interconnected, they are capable of transferring information and energy. That means we have access to an infinite amount of information. We are all aware of how we receive and send information through the five senses of taste, touch, smell, sight and hearing.  But what about the so-called sixth sense?

Receiving and Sending Intuitive Information and Energy

Many of us are not so aware how we can send and receive information and energy through intuition in the form meditation and dreams. The intuitive images, sounds, feelings, and sensations that we pick up spontaneously or receive in dreams and meditation are identifying symbols for unique, relevant information and energy within and without us that can be used to help ourselves and others. Any of the senses can be a vehicle for an intuitive message because our bodies are wonderfully designed to transmit information through the five senses as well as the sixth sense of intuition. Just as we pick up data through touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste coming from outside us, we can register intuitive data coming from within us through those same senses.

Sending intuitive information and loving energy is very much like using our senses to send and receive information about what we see or hear except we do it in an intuitive, altered state of awareness such as meditation, deep prayer or dreams. In these states we intend to receive or to transmit information or energy, and it happens! We can intend to have dreams that will help someone else by giving deeper understanding, clues to resolution or a diagnosis of the issue. While in meditation or prayer, we can send healing energy and even information to someone through the imagination and intention.

When you think of the body as a bundle of energy in addition to it’s amazing physical capabilities, it is truly amazing.

By Susan Blackmore

The problem of consciousness is real, deep and confronts us any time we care to look. Ask yourself this question ‘Am I conscious now?’ and you will reply ‘Yes’. Then, I suggest, you are lured into delusion – the delusion that you are conscious all the time, even when you are not asking about it.

Now ask another question, ‘What was I conscious of a moment ago?’ This may seem like a very odd question indeed but lots of my students have grappled with it and I have spent years playing with it, both in daily life and in meditation. My conclusion? Most of the time I do not know what I was conscious of just before I asked.

Try it. Were you aware of that faint humming in the background? Were you conscious of the birdsong? Had you even noticed the loud drill in the distance that something in your brain was trying to block out? And that’s just sounds. What about the feel of your bottom on the chair? My experience is that whenever I look I find lots of what I call parallel backwards threads – sounds, touch, sights, that in some way I seem to have been listening to for some time – yet when I asked the question I had the odd sensation that I’ve only just become conscious of it.

Back in 1890 William James (one of my great heroes of consciousness studies) remarked on the sounds of a chiming clock. You notice the chiming after several strikes. At that moment you can look back and count one, two, three, four and know that now it has reached five. But it was only at four that you suddenly became conscious of the sound.

William James

What’s going on?

This, I suggest, is just one of the many curious features of our minds that lead us astray. Whenever we ask ‘Am I conscious now? we always are, so we leap to the conclusion that there must always be something ‘in my consciousness’, as though consciousness were a container. I reject this idea. Instead, I think that most of the time our brains are getting on with their amazing job of processing countless streams of information in multiple parallel threads, and none of those threads is actually ‘conscious’. Consciousness is an attribution we make after the fact. We look back and say ‘This is what I was conscious of’ and there is nothing more to consciousness than that.

Are we really so deluded? If so there are two important consequences: One spiritual and one scientific.

Many contemplative and mystical traditions claim we are living in illusion; that we need to throw off the dark glasses of the false self who seems to be in control, who seems to have consciousness and free will; that if we train our minds through meditation and mindfulness we can see through the illusion and live in clearly awareness right here and now. I am most familiar with Zen and I love such sayings as, ‘Actions exist and also their consequences but the person that acts does not’. Wow! Letting go of the person who sees, thinks, and decides is not a trivial matter and many people find it outrageous that one would even want to try. Yet it is quite possible to live without assuming that you are consciously making the decisions – that you are a persisting entity that has consciousness and free will.

From the scientific point of view, throwing off these illusions would totally transform the ‘hard problem of consciousness’. This is, as Dave Chalmers, the Australian philosopher, describes it, the question of ‘how physical processes in the brain give rise to subjective experience’. This is a modern version of the mind-body problem. Almost everyone who works on consciousness agrees that dualism does not work. There cannot be a separate spirit or soul or persisting inner self that is something other than ordinary matter. The world cannot be divided, as Descartes famously thought, into mind and matter – subjective and objective, physical material and mental thoughts. Somehow the two must ultimately be one – But how? This ‘nonduality’ is what mystical traditions have long described, but it is also the hope that science is grappling with.

And something strange is happening in the science of consciousness. The last few decades have seen fantastic progress in neuroscience. Yet paradoxically this makes the problem of consciousness worse, not better. We now know that decisions are initiated in part of the frontal lobe, actions are controlled by areas as far apart as the motor cortex, premotor cortex and cerebellum, visual information is processed in multiple parallel pathways at different speeds without ever constructing a picture-like representation that could correspond to  ‘the picture I see in front of my eyes’.  The brain manages all these amazing tasks in multiple parallel processes. So what need is there for ‘me’? And what need is there for subjective experience? So what is it and why do we have it?

Perhaps inventing an inner conscious self is a convenient way to live; perhaps it simplifies the brain’s complex task of keeping us alive; perhaps it has some evolutionary purpose. Whatever the answer, I am convinced that all our usual ideas about mind and consciousness are false. We can throw them off in the way we live our lives, and we must throw them off if our science of consciousness is ever to make progress.

Susan Blackmore is a freelance writer, lecturer and broadcaster, and a Visiting Professor at the University of Plymouth. She is the author of Consciousness: A Very Short Introduction.

The Very Short Introductions (VSI) series combines a small format with authoritative analysis and big ideas for hundreds of topic areas. Written by our expert authors, these books can change the way you think about the things that interest you and are the perfect introduction to subjects you previously knew nothing about. Grow your knowledge with OUPblog and the VSI series every Friday, subscribe to Very Short Introductions articles on the OUPblog via email or RSS, and like Very Short Introductions on Facebook.

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1. I need to recognize that with my waking mind alone I do not see, and will never see, the complete picture.  There will never be enough facts.  Life is entirely too complex to fully understand a person, an issue or an event.  That is why the Buddha said we are each like blind men touching one small part of the elephant.  What part of the elephant I feel is what gives me the definition of an elephant.  Maybe the guy touching the elephant’s side gets an idea of the huge size of the creature, but he has no clue to the column-like legs while the guy holding the tiny tail thinks the elephant is like a tiny snake. I need to ask if I am seeing the bigger picture.
2. I need to recognize when my waking mind is on overload, hopelessly yet valiantly trying to figure it all out.  A good indicator of an overworked mind is the constant replay of scenarios or endless chatter going on in the head which can totally absorb and suck me in. It’s time to bail out, and give the brain a rest!
3. I need to step back.  When I feeling I am getting sucked into this internal whirlpool I need to step back and try something else.  Taking a walk, just walking away from the problem or listening to music can really help give the mind a rest.  Ironically, effective and problem-solving intuitive insights often just “come” after I let the problem go and take a breather.
4. I can explore methods that work safely and quickly for me to not only get me beyond the pull of the internal mental whirlpool but also can provide desired insights that address the need of the moment.  I can act proactively to get the results I want and not just wait for them to come.  Asian religions and the Judeo-Christian mystical traditions have long explored ways to do this.  Nowadays, non-sectarian methods have been developed based on the findings of these religious traditions. Basically these methods involve:

• Stating or write down the situation or concern needing a resolution.
• Invoking higher or inner wisdom to provide an answer to the situation or concern at hand. This can be done either in prayer form to a deity or inner guide, or can be done with intention to learn from higher wisdom.
• Stilling the mind by focusing on the breath or a still point.  There are many techniques out there to do this.  Try several and use the one that works for you.  A simple and very effective method was developed by Dr. Henry Reed, Ph.D., Director of the Edgar Cayce Institute of Intuitive Studies.  It is called The Inspired Heart Meditation and can be downloaded at: http://edgarcayce-intuitionschool.org/intuitiveheart/world/Inspired Heart Meditation.pdf.
• Relaxing the body.
• Allowing any sensations such as images, feelings, sounds, impressions, etc. to well up.  Look for the particularly subtle impressions.
• Observing these sensations.  No matter how bizarre or irrelevant they seem, there most likely is a connection to the problem at hand.
• Asking what these sensations have to do with the problem posed.
• Observing the responses that come to mind.
• Reflecting on the associations that come to mind.
• Forming a conclusion.
• Lastly, but most importantly, acting on the new information received and the conclusion arrived at!

It is important to understand that this exercise is like any other; the more often it is done, the faster you can do it; and the easier and more effective it becomes.  Like riding a bike, in the beginning it may feel a bit awkward but eventually the person gets the “hang” of it.

Jesus With Martha and Mary — Tintoretto

Treating the Stranger as Oneself

In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, the Samaritan (who was thought to be inferior in class and moral values to the Jews) is ironically the one who treats a stranger beaten and robbed as he would want to be treated—quite unlike the priest and the Levite. The Samaritan is the one who is operating from a moral perspective which recognizes that this is a human being just like himself. Since he wouldn’t want to be left hurt and penniless by the wayside, he simply makes the choice to help the man. This is empathy in action. It shows a heart open to the needs of others.

To Do or to Be Still and Receptive: The Better Choice

The Story of Martha and Mary clearly describes the state of mind of each one of us at any given moment. One part of us is busy, running about taking care of errands, serving others and the performing the tasks of everyday life. This is the doing part of ourselves that make us feel like we have “to do” something in any situation, and often make us feel good when we have done something. The other part of us—which wants to sit quietly, patiently and attentively to hear what comes from silence— however, is often ignored and disparaged in our action-oriented society as being lazy or useless, “navel gazing” with no productive outcome. Jesus makes clear this latter choice to sit in the presence of divine wisdom is the better choice. It is a reminder to us to put aside the busyness of the day and sit in intuitive reflection, open to what comes in the silence.

Enter the psychedelic time tunnel and hang on for an inspirational and amazing story. Zen teacher Don Lubov gives us Story Ten of the One series. It is available now from Trestle Press for ONLY 99 Cents and you can get it here: http://goo.gl/JkFJs

Composer: Nawang Khechog
Publisher: Sounds True
Genre: Meditation
Length: 60 minutes
Price: $14.99

Website
Buy it at Amazon

After a rough period of recovery and grief from an auto accident, Nawang Khechog made the decision to take his hardships and tragedies into his spiritual path. Using his own pain as the catalyst, he has tried to alleviate the suffering of others through prayer. As a result of his spiritual growth in this area, Tibetan Dream Journey was created.

The gentle flute music is healing and soothing, bringing the listener to a meditative state. In addition to the music, one track shares chanting of the beautiful message “May all be kind to each other.” The Dalai Lama’s inspirational “Chant of Universal Compassion” is included in another track.

Khechog’s peaceful and compassionate nature is revealed to us through this beautiful music that leads us on a journey to our own spiritual center. May all who listen find happiness and harmony in their own lives.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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Author: Jack Kornfield
Publisher: Sounds True
Genre: Meditation / Spirituality / Buddhism
ISBN: 978-1-60407-642-4
Pages: 103
Price: $19.95

Author’s website
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Trouble is an inevitable part of being human. Although it’s tempting to simply bemoan our fate when something bad happens, it’s far more effective to accept these upsetting issues and integrate them into our whole life experience. In A Lamp in the Darkness, Jack Kornfield shares his thoughts on dealing with difficult times, in an effort to help us get through them.

Suffering can be caused by many things, and Kornfield reminds us that we already have an inner light – “The One Who Knows” – who will guide us. We may be in so much pain that we don’t feel we’re capable of compassion, forgiveness, healing, and wisdom, but these are some of the topics discussed, followed by meditations to explore these characteristics more deeply. An accompanying CD provides audio recordings of these meditations.

Difficulty doesn’t need to destroy us. We can rise above what happens, with our sense of self and peace of mind intact. A Lamp in the Darkness shows us how.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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By: Mark Miller, on 1/25/2012
Blog: From the land of Empyrean (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  interview, relationships, journey, meditation, romance, philosophy, series, spiritual, inspirational, faith, Taos, Hindu, counseling, Mark Miller, trestle press, Yehidah, Scott Lutz, Melissa Studdard, Add a tag

 Hopefully by now you have had a chance to read the latest story from the One series. For the Love of All is written by a best-selling, award-winning author along with a counselor who happens to be a talented author, as well as an outdoor enthusiast.

For the Love of All

Mark Miller's One, Story #5

I want to thank Melissa and Scott for sharing such a beautiful story and taking the time to do this interview. Let’s jump into the first question:

MM: What inspired you to write this story?

Scott: A chance meeting that turned out not to be chance at all. In the summer of 2011, during a silent mediation, walking, and writing retreat in Taos, New Mexico, I met a traveler who seemed to be on a journey similar to mine. Brought together by forces beyond both of us, we discovered a connection of remarkable depth and intimacy. What followed was an intense recognition of each other that was so stark and clear, even though we had never met before – at least not in this lifetime. Almost immediately, we began to realize a series of synchronicities so profound and frequent that they were undeniable, pointing us toward relationship, collaboration in writing, and united purpose in matters close to our hearts.

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By: tatiana de la tierra, on 3/27/2011
Blog: La Bloga (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  television, meditation, mass media, rock collections, Add a tag

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By: KC Oliver, on 2/4/2011
Blog: KC Oliver's Blog! (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  writing, meditation, Add a tag

I was supposed to workout last night - undoubtedly a great way to clear ones head to get ready for some writing time. Yet, alas...instead I went out to partake in some extremely unhealthy eating. And you know how it is when you eat fast food, it's like swallowing a lead weight and makes breathing seem like a chore. So, feeling sleepy and bloated, I decided to try meditation as a means to prepare to write.

Sitting cross-legged, eyes closed, breathing deeply...yes...this is exactly what I needed to relax...except...who knew a stomach could make that much noise! Clearly, I did not consume a burger, but rather a small creature intent on extricating himself from my belly. Ugh!

A handful of Tums and about 20 minutes later, I finally got down to writing. I think I could get use to this again!

Thinking about the kind of books I like to write, I decided that tonight, I would get into the mind of one of my would-be evil characters for the next 12 minutes and I came up with the following:

Rain tap tap tapped like skeletal fingers on the window pane. Embers buried beneath dark soot, gasped for air within the craggy hearth. Darkness consumed everything in the room, even the man that stood in its depths. A heart beat, the tempo slow and even. Fear, harvested with each breath the man takes, fills the air with a putrid stench. Sanity has but a tenuous grip...and it is faltering. Wave after toxic wave of animosity burns from deeply hollow eyes, scalding its way down to that place where a soul should live. He fears no evil. And yet...evil fears him.

I realized after this exercise that there was some real hope of firming up my flabby brain muscles, and all I could think of was...I wanna do it again!

Okie doke -- it's go time! Fourteen minutes of writing.

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By: Laurel Gaylord, on 11/26/2010
Blog: studio lolo (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  savour, peace, illustration friday, meditation, heart, lotus, studio lolo, Add a tag

Good thoughts in,

Bad thoughts out.

Deep breath in,

exhale slowly.

Savour the peace within.

patterned paper, acrylic paint, colored pencil

28 Comments on Illustration Friday: Savour, last added: 11/30/2010

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PAK ART said, on 11/26/2010 5:53:00 PM

This is just beautiful. You do some wonderful things with patterned paper! It makes me want to try. Is the paper thick enough to allow paint? Must be or you wouldn't be doing it. I love the words of wisdom.

Teri C said, on 11/26/2010 6:27:00 PM

Beautiful painting and beautiful words.

Annie said, on 11/26/2010 7:23:00 PM

Wonderful painting and the words are pretty cool too. XOXO

Lori ann said, on 11/26/2010 7:30:00 PM

Ooooh, i like this very much. Beautiful Lo! Since getting owen i have sort of lost my morning meditation...

Caroline said, on 11/26/2010 8:12:00 PM

Ooh I know this little beauty- I have it on my pinboard!! Lovely words too.x

Julie said, on 11/26/2010 8:49:00 PM

Lovely, Lolo!!! Especially this time of year, eh???

Lisa at Greenbow said, on 11/27/2010 4:03:00 AM

I must say this is a very peaceful sketch. I could just look at it and relax.

sukipoet said, on 11/27/2010 5:17:00 AM

love the words and the image. i just went on an open studio tour and saw some lovely wooden carved buddha's as this lovely lady's studio. I like the way they remind me of peace and that peace is a choice.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said, on 11/27/2010 5:37:00 AM

This is sooooo perfect for this time of year....soothing and relaxing and a reminder not to get caught up in all the bedlam and madness of unnecessary things.
Lovely!!!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Marion said, on 11/27/2010 7:04:00 AM

I love your work, Lolo!! This one is perfect for me right now...there are so many functions to attend between now and Christmas! Your words and painting remind me to find the quiet spot within.

Robin said, on 11/27/2010 8:21:00 AM

I love the tranquility of this piece.... it is something I constantly need to work at....and as Suki wisely says, "Peace is a choice"... but sometimes, one forgets that!

Sorry I missed you last night, "BS"....

Love to you, "SH", "Princess" and "Fear the Ear" - ha-ha!!!!

♥ Robin ♥

Beaudor said, on 11/27/2010 9:07:00 AM

Sooooooooooooooo beautiful,the color,the "Magic"words well its You....

xxxMar

marianne said, on 11/27/2010 9:23:00 AM

Just beautiful in every way!!!!
I love your paintings on these papers!
Hope you are OK and are having a creative weekend!

♥♥♥
>M<

Vilt og vakkert said, on 11/27/2010 11:12:00 AM

Heisann!

You have caught a quiet and peaceful moment that I appreciate and love.
❖greetings from the wild and wonderful dragonfly

Linda Hensley said, on 11/27/2010 11:17:00 AM

Wonderful!

Juan said, on 11/27/2010 12:06:00 PM

Very nice work!

Nancy Bea Miller said, on 11/27/2010 6:58:00 PM

At peace, no difference
can be discovered between
the good and bad thoughts

Lynn said, on 11/27/2010 9:28:00 PM

Oh How I needed/need those words this weekend. Thank you thank you thank you. You will never know.

yoborobo said, on 11/28/2010 7:13:00 AM

So beautiful, Lolo! I love your new banner, too. This is a very good reminder to just relax and enjoy. :) xox!

Margaret Ann said, on 11/28/2010 10:55:00 AM

Mmmmm mmmmm! Chill bumps here...the good inner joy kind that you and your art always bring me...:)

secret agent woman said, on 11/28/2010 6:03:00 PM

LOVE that.

kj said, on 11/28/2010 8:13:00 PM

It seems my Internet is down but I had to find my way here to thank you for the peace and pieces you bring to my life and to say OMMMMM pumpkin

:)

ArtistUnplugged said, on 11/28/2010 8:26:00 PM

Impressive work, thoughtful words. Loved the lady drawing on brown paper and those cloud shots from Saturday are scrumptious. Hope you are well.

Katiejane said, on 11/29/2010 4:56:00 PM

Great advice and a lovely painting.

Mim said, on 11/30/2010 2:51:00 AM

A wonderful perfect-lo take on the word. it's beautiful

theartofpuro said, on 11/30/2010 3:51:00 AM

Beautiful!Love the your interpretation and colours!

Jack Foster said, on 11/30/2010 1:32:00 PM

Great post Lolo! Love the way you incoporate the pattern paper together with your wonderful illustration!

Jack Foster said, on 11/30/2010 1:33:00 PM

Oh.... and I love the new header!!

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By: Laurel Gaylord, on 11/2/2010
Blog: studio lolo (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  meditation, nature, prayer, kindness, solitude, fog, studio lolo, solace, Add a tag

~meditation~

~prayer~

~quiet time in nature~

~finding solace amidst chaos~

~painting and writing~

~being kind~

This, to me, is time well spent.

acrylic on canvas, molding paste, gold foil

24 Comments on Illustration Friday: Spent, last added: 11/3/2010

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dthaase said, on 11/2/2010 9:23:00 AM

this is beautiful - a wonderful illo

sukipoet said, on 11/2/2010 9:35:00 AM

lovely painting which reflects your words so well

marianne said, on 11/2/2010 9:46:00 AM

Words and painting matches so well!
Wouldn't it be nice to be able to live like that all the time........

♥♥♥
>M<

Gabe Ferreira said, on 11/2/2010 10:03:00 AM

cool leaf watermark

Lynn said, on 11/2/2010 10:15:00 AM

What a beautiful painting! I see you there enjoying some alone time. So special. So well done!

Lisa at Greenbow said, on 11/2/2010 10:25:00 AM

This is marvelous Lolo. I love those golden moments spent on a mountain side. Time to think. Time well spent.

Ellen Byrne said, on 11/2/2010 11:21:00 AM

Excellent!

theartofpuro said, on 11/2/2010 12:22:00 PM

Amazing work!Geat composition and colours!

Robin said, on 11/2/2010 12:52:00 PM

You just keep astounding me....the art that springs from your heart and your soul is so real.

WOW!

Love,

♥ Robin ♥

Katie L. White said, on 11/2/2010 1:13:00 PM

Beautiful painting.

Juan said, on 11/2/2010 1:23:00 PM

Beautiful painting!

AtelierBrigitte said, on 11/2/2010 2:16:00 PM

Absolutely beautiful.

Cris, Artist in Oregon said, on 11/2/2010 2:47:00 PM

Lovely and unique.

secret agent woman said, on 11/2/2010 3:36:00 PM

An excellent use of time!

dosankodebbie said, on 11/2/2010 3:45:00 PM

So peaceful.

Mim said, on 11/2/2010 4:15:00 PM

Calming....peaceful....wonderful

Annie said, on 11/2/2010 5:05:00 PM

Beautiful painting and the words I can so relate to. Lo, you are really something. xoxo

yoborobo said, on 11/2/2010 5:45:00 PM

I agree, time well spent. :) Beautiful painting, lolo! xox Pam

Teri C said, on 11/2/2010 6:47:00 PM

Beautiful painting.
Beautiful words.
Beautiful mind.

Laurel said, on 11/2/2010 6:48:00 PM

I love the tranquility and the texture!

kj said, on 11/2/2010 10:37:00 PM

ah lo, over and over you deliver. i LOVE seeing you in the background. i know it's you...

and lo, do you see the smiling dolphin?

love love love always
kj

Lori ann said, on 11/2/2010 10:40:00 PM

bless your heart. this was just the thing i needed. thank you lolo for this beautiful post.
♥

Momo said, on 11/3/2010 3:10:00 PM

Great thought and illustration.

Intrigued by the watermark.

Jack Foster said, on 11/3/2010 4:42:00 PM

Very true words and very wonderful work! Thanks for the inspirational post!

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By: Bruce Black, on 9/5/2010
Blog: wordswimmer (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  meditation, visualization, Add a tag

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By: Laurel Gaylord, on 6/29/2010
Blog: studio lolo (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  bliss, zen, animal wednesday, studio lolo, portal card, meditation, Add a tag

"It's as if you were guided by some greater power and knew just what was needed."

I got this wonderful card in the mail today and it immediately trumped the post I was going to do for Animal Wednesday. The polo pictures will have to wait until next week.

This guy won my heart!

I'm fasting today and will be out of commission for most of tomorrow.

Meanwhile, enjoy this blissful feline :)

This one's for you Annie & Spike♥

15 Comments on Animal Wednesday: A Day Early, last added: 7/2/2010

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Robin said, on 6/29/2010 9:51:00 AM

Lo, such a beautiful and meaningful photo. This is something that will resonate strongly with our Annie....who really needs a hug and kiss from all of us - especially today.

I will be thinking about you today as you fast....and tomorrow too.

Sending you love and strength!

♥ Robin ♥

Lori ann said, on 6/29/2010 10:09:00 AM

I hope your fast goes well, i've been wanting to but it will have to wait till i finish medicine that needs to be taken with food.

Darling card and photo, I want that kitty :)

I'm sending love and strength too!

xoxo lori

Cris, Artist in Oregon said, on 6/29/2010 10:23:00 AM

How adorable. Always looking up.

Lisa at Greenbow said, on 6/29/2010 10:30:00 AM

This is very sweet. I hope all is well. Sounds ominous, but I bet the prep is worse than the test?.

Teri C said, on 6/29/2010 10:47:00 AM

What a wonderful card and oh so sweet.
Actually I am glad you are waiting with the ponies cuz next Wed will also show a few 'polo hats' (working on them as we speak).

Take care with that fasting business. Does not sound like fun but it must be for a good reason.

HAW

sukipoet said, on 6/29/2010 11:35:00 AM

good luck tomorrow Lolo. Love this kitty. I often forget to look up.

Annie said, on 6/29/2010 11:59:00 AM

Oh honey, thank you! Of course I love this cat and what the card says. Wonderful!
Fasting is hard. Good luck to you and I hope it goes well. I hope you are okay?
Love, my dear Lo.
xoxo

Caroline said, on 6/29/2010 7:20:00 PM

What a darling! Thinking of you as you fast - hope you are well.x

Lynn said, on 6/29/2010 8:26:00 PM

Wishing you an easy fast.
And cute kitty a day ahead is sheer blissful cute!

marianne said, on 6/29/2010 9:19:00 PM

What a perfect picture and card for you!

Won't believe it but 2 days ago I was searching for an image of a gazing cat.................... This could be it!

I will be thinking of you today!
In thoughts I will be holding your hand

♥♥♥
>M<

marianne said, on 6/29/2010 9:22:00 PM

BTW HAW of course!

AtelierBrigitte said, on 6/30/2010 4:41:00 AM

This is a great photo!

HAW!

lakhsmita indira said, on 7/1/2010 9:09:00 AM

heheh :D
what do you mean "a fan club"?
:D
you mean, a chat room! :D

kj said, on 7/1/2010 2:32:00 PM

TSUP!!!!!

Robyn said, on 7/2/2010 4:52:00 PM

i hope all is well for you

take care
x robyn

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