When you see yourself, what do you see? Where do you see yourself? What do you see yourself surrounded by? These questions did not necessarily occur to me as I drew this, but I believe they were lingering there as I created this pastel drawing of me.
When I meditate, I often find myself in a forest setting on a mossy precipice, and though I did not envision this as I drew, I look at this pastel drawing and realize this is what I see. How ironic and profound and beautiful, that I see myself this way so much that it surfaces without me even realizing it. I asked my hand to create. And create it did. What begin as something else turned into this, and it was amazing, that sensation of hand creating and being led. I think this is what it comes down to — we are being led, if only we allow ourselves to recognize that. That is, we are never alone. We may become lonely, but we are never alone.
I have been doing so much thinking lately, so much growing, so much getting accustomed to this body, this soul of mine. It is strange, being so acutely aware of my soul. It’s as though I see my soul staring out of me, whatever me is. Me is beyond my body, beyond my mind, beyond this physical realm. It exists somewhere else, and I think I captured that here, the grace, the fluidity, the leaning, the asking, the waiting, the thinking. Some of this may not make sense, as I am trying to work through some of these thoughts.
This image came at me by surprise — or perhaps I really wasn’t surprised at all — on an evening when I felt close to an intuitive understanding of myself: I am who I say I am. And who I say I am is a being waiting to arise. A being waiting for the world to reveal its stunning beauty and breathless truth to her.
Now, I hope you don’t mind if I ask you this: who do you say you are?
Other lovely ladies participating this week:
Marisa @ http://marjean-gettingbacktobasics.blogspot.com/
Claudia @ http://lilmuselily.com/2010/10/01/self-portrait-challenge/
Sam @ http://emergingintowholeness.com/2010/10/the-possibility-of-flight-elements-of-self/
Mel @ http://creativeclutter-mel.blogspot.com/2010/10/self-as-art.html
To flow with the Flow… Freedom!
And about positivity… You’re so right: if we could keep the positivity for the most part of our days, we could be angels and human form.
I’m trying to keep me in tune with my Inner Being for at least 10% of the day. Everytime I accomplish that it feels like I’m walking on sweet clouds. Every decision feels like the right one, every conversation is great… Pure heaven!
Barbara, I love that you are with your inner being for at least 10 percent of the day, how beautiful and magical and lovely! What’s your secret
? I know what you mean though … about walking on sweet clouds … there’s nothing quite like it.
Much love to you … I do wish we could sit down for tea and have a *real time* conversation.
Ah… Me too!! I would love to have a real time conversation with you. Well… We live in a magical universe made by energy and vibrations. So… Anything can happen! I guess we will have a great tea party!
Totally Off Topic:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VNNNRVS
This made me think of you. They are surveying Contingent Faculty. (not tenured)
The simplicity of your drawing makes it more beautiful. i enjoyed reading post on the connection between mind and body.
My post on Elements Of Self is here:
http://marjean-gettingbacktobasics.blogspot.com/
Have a beautiful day!
Marisa
As you were going through my blog and leaving comments, I was trying to get my self-portrait post up.
It’s up.
Blessings!
[...] that I was always painting myself. Over and over. Funny, heh? So this is my self-portrait for the Elements of Self series at Juliana’s blog this week. Because it feels OK to show this now… and because I haven’t got time to do a [...]
I’m loving your artwork, Juliana. Lovely post today. I feel awful for rushing and not writing you a decent comment – just not got time this week.
But at least my post is up, here:
http://emergingintowholeness.com/2010/10/the-possibility-of-flight-elements-of-self/
Much love, dearest one.
Some deep, introspective thoughts here. I’ve felt myself extend beyond my body as well, like I’m connected to a higher power.
What am I? Wow, so many things. I guess if I were to really narrow it down, though, I’d say I am a woman, a child of God, on a journey of learning and strengthening and coming closer to Him.
Lisa, I love your words, their simplicity and strength. So true, the wisdom of seeing how we can be connected to a higher power.
Much love to you, dear lady.
hello lovely you!! love this very much…i even have something offer this time…
http://creativeclutter-mel.blogspot.com/2010/10/self-as-art.html
i find this a very enlightening thing to do…these musings-in-art….wonderful on so many levels — deep intuitive work seems to happen more easily when the hand is engaged on the page. for me, anyway..lol. and painting or drawing rather than writing leaves me with different insights.
good stuff indeed.
sorry for my tardiness…;)
xo