A Further Awakening

I often deeply immerse myself in the teachings of others, walk a ways down their path to see how it fits into my own journey then decide a u-turn is in order.  This has been the way of both my spiritual and creative journey. When it comes to creative expression I love trying new art forms and techniques.  Some of them stick, while others fall away or I expand them into my own derivations.  For me, expressing myself in a variety of creative forms brings the most pleasure.  I've created for shows and exhibits, and while I did well in those arena's and even walked away with awards, the creative process itself was always more fulfilling that the recognition.  So, after a while I stopped entering shows and exhibits and just formed my own One Woman Show (and tell) to encourage the use of creative energy to connect to the deeper aspects of one's soul.  Between this and continuing to enjoy my own creativity, I have been happy unplugging from 'competitive' arenas.  Though I miss the creative camaraderie provided by working with others toward an exhibit or show, my creative world has always been more introverted, so it works for me.

My creative energy has been primarily influenced by my spiritual pursuits and is indeed a form of channeling.  Last year however my channeling began to move from creative expression as my journaling turned more and more toward automatic writing. While I have always channeled poetry, lyrics and my own higher mind perspectives, last year I received what I can only refer to as introductory messages from two 'collectives' referring to themselves as the Andromedians and the Arcturians.  Prior to that I felt the Ananda collective influencing some of my writings.  I shared this in an earlier post along with the 'light language' drawings that were coming through.  As is typical with me, I strolled a bit down this path and listened to the perspectives of those who intentionally channel these collectives. However, a few weeks ago I began to feel I was intuitively being guided toward a u-turn.  

Something in me felt that these collectives and their messages were just an expansion of the matrix of form on a less dense level.  My desire to link directly to my own higher mind and the journey beyond the world of 'them and us' was guiding me to a higher understanding.  These collectives were leading me to the understanding of sacred geometry and the structure around which our world is formed.  I understood this as an expansion of my initial quest to understand the link between creativity, spirituality and self-realization that had begun decades ago. I had asked for this understanding!  Our answers always flow from where our attention is focused.  This is the meaning of "Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened unto you."  However, my intuition allowed me to see this link between creativity, spirituality and self-realization as a limiting aspect rather than a freeing aspect.  Since freeing myself from any 'system' and stepping into my sovereign divine aspect is the ultimate goal in my spiritual journey, I paid attention to my intuitive nudges.

My desire to understand the link between creativity, spirituality and self-realization was prompted  almost three decades ago as healing energies came through my creative process and transformed my life.  Today I see that as a path I had to take to awaken to the path before me now...the path freeing me from any attachment to a system or energetic matrix in order to know or heal myself.  So often we form an attachment and dedication to anything that offered us healing or guidance.  This is a misunderstanding of how and why it came into our life. We must begin where we are before we can fully open to who we are!  However, moving beyond those 'interventions' is always the path.  Today my intuitive guidance is freeing me further away from constraint and the 'messages' of anything representing itself as 'apart from me'.  I am sovereign and whole and while my experience is one of limited duality, that is but an illusion that requires further awakening.  I believe this u-turn to be just that; a further awakening.  

Without the introduction to these 'collectives' and their perspectives, my own higher mind could not have steered me even deeper inward, so I am grateful to have met these aspects.  I am more grateful however to have awakened from their guidance which still lies within the realm of separation, however less dense.  The involvement with seemingly more advanced beings can be quite captivating, but really it is only another form of separation and distraction from true awakening.  One must dive deep to truly know themselves.  Any hierarchy that presents a ladder one must climb in order to reach freedom does not offer freedom.  This includes the realm of higher dimensional collectives, ascended masters, archangels, guides and even the concept of a universal God.  Any energetic matrix, be it built upon 'sacred' geometry or not is still a matrix and therefore a net that keeps us bound within it.  I am an expression of Source, period.  The more energy I put into experiencing myself as such, and the less distraction I involve myself with, the better.  This way of thinking blows the 'new age' community apart...and it should.  That community is as much an invention of control as is religion, politics, educational systems, media conglomerates, healing modalities, and corporate elites.  Until we awaken to our participation in any 'system' we can not free ourselves from 'systems'.  It is that simple.....but not easy.  Listening and learning from others is fine.  However, staying plugged directly into my own higher self, regardless of all the teachers and mystics 'out there' has proven to provide the most direct path.  Listen, glean, try on any teaching for size, but know this, anything, ANYTHING that we don't eventually outgrow will ensnare and limit us......And  Source is limitless!

Intuitive Artist

The Wheel card from my original tarot deck titled, Windows On Illusion

What does it mean to be an intuitive artist?  I'd have to say there are as many answers to this question as their are artists.  I believe all artists are tapping into their intuition every time they create from inspiration.  When we just 'let it flow' time literally stands still for us (yes...I know the difference between literally and figuratively) Metaphysically speaking, we personally make less time when we do anything from 'the zone'. That's why it seems like time flies when we do what we love...because it does!  But that's not the focus of this post.  This post is about the desire of an extra-sensory, intuitive artist seeking a like-minded tribe.

I see many artist friends inspired by the events in the world. Especially in light of tragedies like earthquakes, tsunami's, attacks intended to strike fear and devastation.  Then there are those who are inspired to artistic activism by such things as water and food shortage or manipulation, nuclear power, sustainable farming and animal rights.  But what about those of us that are inspired to action by those things most can't see?  

What about those of us tapped into our clair-cognizance, clairvoyance, clairaudience, or clairsentience?  What of those that are connected to their guides, ascended masters and higher frequency aspects? Sure, we can create art from these inspired connections.  History is full of such works, even though many are still without full understanding by most. This is because a third dimensional mind can not interpret a fifth (or higher) dimensional inspiration.  And our society, our world, at this point in time is functioning at a mostly third dimensional frequency.  Therefore, those artists attuned to higher frequencies of intuitive awareness must be satisfied with the intuitive creative process itself, and the understanding that their work literally (yes, I know) anchors those higher frequencies as energetic templates serving all of humanity.  

This morning I noticed several artists on Facebook inspired by the recent attacks on Paris and other, less reported attacks on countries and people of color.  I found myself wanting to share within a creative community.  I am after all, an artist.  These people are my tribe.  Then I felt myself quietly withdraw.  Would they understand what the Arcturians have shared with me?  Would they even know who this galactic race is? Would they be able to embrace that I can see the energetic conflict that is the true impetus behind the discord on our planet?  Would they be open enough to realize that I can see that this is bigger than politics and religion because it is the forces behind politics and religion that have been running the show for generations....for eons.  The answer is no.  And that's as it should be. I've learned to be ok with working on the outside, looking in...at least I'm free of the matrix/ the illusion/maya...whatever ya want to call it.  But sometimes, the artist in me just wants a like minded group to create with.

There are not clubs or guilds or even forums for intuitive artists that express themselves from these stirrings...these knowings.  We are mostly on our own when it comes to sharing what inspires us.  And for the most part that is okay.  Eventually, if we are resilient, we align with those on the fringe of society that do understand and share these 'abilities'.  We are supported and embraced by those in alternative arenas that know of the great awakening that is upon us.  And we will find a sort of refuge there and our work will flow in the directions it can best serve.  But that doesn't quiet the desire in me, that wishes, just every now and then, that I was part of a group of artists that gathered to meditate, channel and share the energies inspiring us to artistically express individual and group artwork based on the 'reality' we see.  

I have found an arena for teaching the metaphysical applications of creative energy and that is rewarding work.  I love teaching and working with people on how to use creative energy to awaken their intuitive 'abilities'.  And synchronicity is playing it's part by expanding these workshops into transformational retreats.  I know I'm not alone in this desire to connect with like-minded artists.  And to that I say...A guild for extra-sensory artist's....if we build it, they will come!

Intuitive Channeling Through Blank Verse

Why is it easier to point out the weeds in the garden of others than pull our own?  For the most part it is because we really do want to help others.  And.... we really don't want to acknowledge the cries of our own wounds!  That's the truth of it. We shine a very bright light on a deeply hidden aspect of ourselves every time we judge another or their actions.  Those things we admire and desire as positive attributes, we have a hard time locating in ourselves, so we adore them in others.  Those things we disdain or judge as negative in others are equally reflective of a hidden aspect of self.  Weather these things actually exist in the other person or not matters little when it comes to self healing.  If I experience them, they exist or have existed in me.  So, how do I know if they are healed within me or not? There is a trick to recognizing this.  The more emotionally charged I become over the actions of another, the more this aspect is trying to get my attention to be healed inside of me!!!. This doesn't mean that the other person isn't expressing what I see, they may or may not be.  But pointing it out in them will never heal it in me!  Railing at them about it or celebrating them for it will not quench it in me.  And that is what I came to do!  As Thich Nhat Hanh wrote, "I do me. For that I came."  In truth, that's what we all came to do.

Channeling blank verse has always been my way of opening to let my higher mind teach me.  This practice has developed into a workshop I teach for introspection through channeled verse.  Below is a piece I was inspired to receive many years ago as I realized that projection was responsible for so many different religions and spiritual teachings.  Enjoy.

Out Of The Woods

We are not
wandering together
lost in a dark, dense wood.

We are,
each of us,
the dark, dense wood
in which we are lost.

The sooner we stop listening to
those calling from the edge
of their perceived freedom,
the sooner we will discover
our own.

It is an inner path....solitary
but with common perspectives
that fool many into believing
it is a shared journey.

Unfortunately, knowing this doesn't mean
I am out of the woods yet....
but remembering it keeps me from
calling to you from the edges.

sls

 

Wordless Poems and Image Stories

 As I have shared before, creative energy is the primary tool I use in my shadow/personal growth work and is foundational to the Intentional Arts process I teach.  This choice was born out of a spontaneous encounter I have shared before so I'll just briefly recap it here...

One night in 1991 I was awakened in the middle of the night and drawn to the art studio in our home. Something beyond my normal waking self guided me, and the painting that would emerge over the next several hours.  I was as much a spectator of the process as if someone else held the brush. Eventually the energy withdrew and I discovered that hours had flown like minutes.  As I stared at the piece that had been painted, I had an experience I did not know existed.  A type of information download occurred resulting in an expansion of consciousness that was palpable, profound and deeply personal.  Waves of emotion moved me through tears and joy as a type of uncommon healing permeated my heart and mind.  My counseling background gave me a great foundation for understanding the profoundly healing nature of this experience, so I dove deeper into understanding and nurturing this creative healing process.  I have practiced and shared it ever since.  

I found that when I focused deeply on anything I wanted to understand, eventually that understanding would emerge through creative energy.  I began to be intuitively informed that all energy is creative energy.  Artwork was in many ways like a dream portal for symbolic imagery and communication, only I didn't have to be asleep for the messages to filter through.  Another plus was the informational 'downloads' that accompanied these experiences.  Unlike a dream, it was always clear what the creative experience came to convey. Blocks of information came into my mind that awakened and enlivened me in ways it is impossible to imagine apart from the experience itself.  This was powerful because I had tapped into a type of communication that came directly through me, about me, without any sort of middleman, therefore I could completely trust the information I got.  

As the years went on I began to create this way without posing questions.   I began to invite this energy to simply 'be' with me and teach me what it wanted to teach me.  It can sound crazy and certainly esoteric but I knew this was a spiritual experience; a sacred communication. Eventually, and for the last two decades, broader messages with more universal meanings emerged.  I still created some pieces just for the fun of it, but even then an open line of communication was always present.  Creativity is a very meditative process and in that relaxed, receptive state, if one opens to it, communication flows effortlessly between ones higher and lower mind.  Yes, I had a spontaneous awakening to this reality but it is easily learned and applied.

A few years ago I was inspired to create balanced totem like paintings built around a central core or 'spine'.  Eventually I developed a blind print process that allowed for the manipulation of media to create very intricate shapes and forms along a central line. Using a variety of media I further defined each painting until an image-story that spoke to me emerged.  These were to me, wordless poems or image stories awaiting the teller.  As I first began sharing them, I noticed that different people discovered different imagery within the same painting.  This fascinated me even further and I was compelled to keep creating this wonderful pieces.

I was guided to understand that the 'spine' in the paintings mirrored the function of the human spine in communications between our own higher and lower mind.  From the crown of our head to the root of our spine light engages and in-forms buried or hidden aspects, coaxing them into awareness.  As an energy worker (reiki master/teacher) this made perfect sense to me, and the artwork captivated me in new ways.

Over the last three years a series has emerged with pieces ranging in size from 16"x20" and 11"x14"works on canvas, to smaller works on heavy card stock that range in size from 8"x10" to 4"x6", and tiny 1"-2" miniatures on bamboo paper. While I intuitively understood the meaning of the work on a personal level, I have been guided to understand that the size variations as well as the imagery itself is part of the overall message.  This is because the entire series of paintings tell the story of transmutation; bringing our shadow aspects into the Light of conscious awareness/awakening/expansion and healing. It is important to understand that I did not know this fully throughout the three years I spent creating these works.  Much of the understanding of the overall message came through as the miniature series began to grow.

I was shown that the larger paintings, with less hidden imagery, represent individuals that have done much introspective work and have little left to clear.  These paintings read much the same from a distance as they do up close.  Many of them are reflective of freedom or beauty and simply encourage positive states of being such as soaring or serenity. Some individuals have more deeply buried aspects that need to be coaxed into the light of awareness by peering deeply within.  These pieces read very differently from a distance as they do up close.  Frightening or whimsical faces recede and emerge as the viewer explores these smaller paintings up close. Lastly there are those individuals that have turned away from the light for so long they need a magnifying glass to see even one tiny shadow aspects hiding from the light of their conscious awareness.  The miniature paintings speak to this, and a magnifying glass is provided for viewing the tiny hidden aspects within each miniature piece.

Together this series and my story about the evolution of this intuitive process I call Intentional Arts make up the foundation of my One Woman Show (and tell).  Included are other art forms from sculpture to textile pieces just to demonstrate that any exercise in creativity can be a vehicle for connecting with our higher mind/guidance.  I'll share more about that in future posts. Until then I encourage you to think differently about your creative energy.  Use it to ponder the deeper questions of your soul.  Ask about the meaning of life and let go of any answer you already have.  Because even if you do have an answer, just letting go of it will open a door through which more revelation than you can imagine will flow through. 

• Albums of this series can be viewed by clicking on the PHOTOS link and then the ALBUM link on my Intentional Arts Facebook page.  Information about the Intentional Arts process and my One Woman Show (and tell) can be found at my website, http://susanlewisstorey.com

The Meaning Of Life and Creative Self Inquiry

From a series of original paintings soon to be shared on DVD entitled Intentional Arts; A One Woman Show

The meaning of life is to plug into one's individual non-physical aspect and express themselves from that perspective of pure light.  It took me almost sixty years, and no doubt countless lifetimes, but I finally uncovered that profound but simple truth.  I say un-covered rather than discovered because it truly is an unveiling process.  See, any knowledge gained from external sources or reasoning through conditioned perceptions is limited and therefore cannot be whole!  The dependence on and attachment to these fragmented perceptions are the very thing that blocks ones infallible and personal non-physical guidance system!  Spiritual self-inquiry not only offers the process of unveiling, it introduces you to your own personal guidance system!  And it is as uniquely attuned to you as you are unique in this physical reality.  As an artist creative energy was my spirituality.  As I came to know it apart from 'making stuff', this powerful energy moved through me to clear away the blocks and opened me to direct guidance from my own non-physical aspect.  I'm not talking about guides and angels, ascended masters or even God.  I'm not advocating or discounting those relationships in the least. I am talking about something scientifically measurable within the energy spectrum of your physical and psychological being.   That is, connecting with the non-physical aspect of your very soul, which is projecting the physical form you experience as your life in this physical reality.  I am talking about establishing a direct channel of communication to your higher mind absent of intercessors or middle-men. 

Recently I was with a woman who was born with the ability to see and interpret the non-physical energies associated with each person.  She remarked that I was in direct communication with my soul aspect and that it spoke through me all of the time.  I had been aware of this for years but it was a profound experience to have it acknowledged by someone who could actually see beyond the light spectrum most of us operate in. I also knew that this direct connection was the result of the creative self-inquiry work I had dedicated almost thirty years to. All your answers truly are within. And as for the questions that come at you about the meaning of life....they rise from the same source that waits to answer them....your soul.