You have to watch a scene—not just look at it. Watch the trees, the flowing water, fields of grass and flowers, and the clouds. Watch ‘til they talk to you. Then listen to the voices that create the musical composition as well as the visual.
Strike up a conversation with a tree. Ask it how it’s morning went. The flower, the squirrel, the ant…the river. They will talk if you listen. It doesn’t matter how you create art. Even if you don’t, look and listen to what surrounds you. The natural stuff. It has plenty to say.
Things are happening out there: growing, moving, singing—they recede, approach, survive. Some spring to life, sending roots deep. Eggs hatch, trees leaf out. Mortals mature and hang on for another day, another hour. They absorb the sun, or lie sleek in the shadow. Others are dying—the final stage of being alive.
The characters of the day spread their wings, or branches. They scurry up a tree or come to rest on it. They flash their smiles and do a dance. Everything talks or sings or cries. It’s all essential. Talk back. Converse. Eager is the bee, or flower to tell its story.
And water. Listen to water closely. Whether ocean, river or pond, there is an opera there. A rejoicing or a pleading. It welcomes you. It’s an invitation to think...to feel and to flow through eternity.
The more you watch and listen, the more you are making art—even if you are not deliberately making art. Even if you just look. Do more. Watch it and it will come alive.
If you have PTSD, look beyond your past traumas. Converse with the creatures that make the world the miracle that it is. Put your devices down—turn outward. Breathe the air of the forests and meadows after a rain. See the sky glisten...and smile. The earth will smile back.
Wow, this wasn't a read, it was an experience. Very much a moving meditation, though the meditation was internal. I was drawn into the experience of mindfulness, while learning mindfulness practices, while apparently just reading about exploring nature. Exquisite! My C-PTSD-trained brain thanks you!
I loved this line: . “It doesn’t matter how you create art. Even if you don’t, look and listen to what surrounds you. The natural stuff. It has plenty to say.” And Cezanne’s painting - reminded me of some of yours. I often sit in my garden admiring all the activity, but I don’t think I’ve ever thought of “conversing” with it in a 2-way fashion. I’ll pay more attention to that in future.