As Good Church Lady, I’d never thought of myself as a creative – that was God’s job to create and he had finished his work and rested on the seventh day. On the other hand, Uncovered Buddha Chick is learning to live more and more out of her true self. Something awoke in me late last year–an expression of my sacred self as a creative–creative, yes, an artist? Perhaps, for what is an artist but one who creates?
This month’s theme, "Creativity: Expressing Our Sacred Selves," invites each of us here to consider that we ALL, as sacred spiritual beings, are brimming full of creativity. I now believe that as image bearers of the Creator, creativity is inherent in our sacred selves – our true selves. As a spiritual being, I want to co-create & collaborate with the Divine.
Ahh, but I’m not an artist you might say. Wait a minute! Let’s take a look at that word, creativity, and its synonyms, and see what possibilities might arise for you. (There’s noting like the dictionary and thesaurus to lend expanded understanding to words. The following definition is from dictionary.com, my best friend as a writer and one who simply loves words.)
Creativity defined: the state or quality of being creative. Creativity is the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination. Creativity is the process by which one utilizes creative ability.
Now, in light of the definition, consider alternate meanings of the concept of creativity and I dare say that each of you dear readers will see that you, too, are a creative soul: Cleverness, genius, imagination, imaginativeness, ingenuity, inspiration, inventiveness, originality, resourcefulness, talent, vision.
More and more as I live into and out of my true self, inherent creativity in all sorts of mediums have been begging to come out. Listening with love to the invitation to explore my inner artist, I’m beginning to establish a creative, contemplative practice. What does this look like after my inner artist was given permission to come on out and play? I wish I could say that I create masterpieces everyday but, truth is, most days I don’t do any art.
This month’s invitation to contribute to this topic of "Creativity: Expressing Our Sacred Selves," gives me a gentle nudge to begin again. Here is a reminder to practice “beginner’s mind.” To be open to opportunity and possibility and enjoy the process—letting go of the need to create a perfect product.
Imagine…what inspires you? What mediums might you explore? Here’s an invitation for you, too– Where in the day to day do you see beauty, truth and goodness? What might ignite that creative spark - kindle the possibilities of creativity in you?
Here’s what I’ve been exploring: Butter cream frosting Creative writing Poetry Knitting Colored pencils and paints Photography Setting a lovely table Each of these is creative expression….
What inspires you?
Hanging in my sewing room is a beautiful calligraphy piece by Janet Casey which reminds me that
Creative People… Break Routine Entertain the Absurd Give up on conformity Frequently think like children Take a break leave time to dream Step beyond the obvious and the expected Pay attention to & nurture their ideas Welcome ideas from everywhere Think outside the b o x Make lots of mistakes Sleep on it
This quote by Neil Gaiman prompts: "Go and make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious and fantastic mistakes. Break rules. Leave the world more interesting for your being here. Make. Good. Art. "
When was the last time you’ve gotten in touch with your inner artist – responding to the invitation to let her explore? What is your preferred medium to express your sacred self? I’d love to hear.
May you see beauty, truth and goodness. May you be inspired. May you be resourceful. May you express your creative, sacred self with joy.
Previously know as Undercover Buddha Chick, Uncovered Buddha Chick is learning to live more and more out of her true self - to live authentically. To live simply. To live without fear – or, at least, to be courageous in the face of fear. To live with an open heart. Through mindfulness, metta and loving-kindness and self compassion practices self awareness is being cultivated. With eyes wide open to see and ears to hear what’s really going on within herself, she is learning transparency. In the process, pre-conceived notions, prejudices and judgments are being released. Her longings for authentic community are being met, in part, on the pages of Buddha Chick Life. Having come out of the shadows to live clear, calm and wise, she wants to be a better human being. She is me. Is she you?
This month’s theme of "Interspiritual Connection and Celebration" is a timely one as 2012 has been declared by the Mayor of my home town to be the Year of Interfaith Understanding - a year-long effort designed to cultivate community, campus, and congregational interest in the critical issue of interfaith understanding.
My interest is piqued. How about yours?
If you’ve followed the transformational journey of Uncovered Buddha Chick, you’ll recall that she grew up in an ultraconservative Christian community that was suspicious of ecumenism – let alone interspiritual connections. With this months submission date drawing near, her alter ego, Good Church Lady, was whispering in my ear, “are you sure you want to submit on this topic?” Tension mounted and I was tempted to go undercover once again- or at least be silent. It’s not too long ago, when introduced to my hometown Interfaith Dialogue Association that I was suspicious.
Today, while still cautious, I am no longer threatened by the goals of the IDA – which are as follows:
To advance understanding of religions and ideologies by study, dialogue, and sharing about religious experiences
· To eliminate prejudice between members of different religious traditions and ideologies
· To foster an appreciation for the richness of diverse religions and ideologies
· To identify commonalities and differences among religions and ideologies to enhance personal growth and transformation
· To promote friendship and trust among people of diverse religions and ideologies
Though I haven’t gone so far as to engage with Interfaith Dialogue Association, I am delighted to apply their Ground Rules of Inter-religious and Inter-ideological Dialogue here at Buddha Chick Life.
The Dialogue Decalogue: *
Dialogue to learn, to change, and to grow, and act accordingly
Dialogue with honesty and sincerity
Dialogue comparing ideals with ideals, and practice with practice
Dialogue to define yourself and to learn the self definition of others
Dialogue with no hard and fast assumptions about someone else’s beliefs
Dialogue to share with equals
Dialogue in trust
Dialogue with willingness to look at your own beliefs and traditions critically
Dialogue seeking to understand the other person’s beliefs from within
*From Dr. Leonard Swidler’s “The Dialogue Decalogue” Journal of Ecumenical Studies (1983)
I can’t think of a better place for this recovering good church lady to espouse her new learnings than right here at BCL. Might we learn together and celebrate our interspiritual connections during this year, 2012-the year of Interfaith Understanding.
Previously know as Undercover Buddha Chick, Uncovered Buddha Chick is learning to live more and more out of her true self - to live authentically. To live simply. To live without fear – or, at least, to be courageous in the face of fear. To live with an open heart. Through mindfulness, metta and loving-kindness and self compassion practices self awareness is being cultivated. With eyes wide open to see and ears to hear what’s really going on within herself, she is learning transparency. In the process, pre-conceived notions, prejudices and judgments are being released. Her longings for authentic community are being met, in part, on the pages of Buddha Chick Life. Having come out of the shadows to live clear, calm and wise, she wants to be a better human being. She is me. Is she you?
2011 was a transformative year, as my inner Good Church Lady and inner Buddha Chick were invited to integration – to an invigorated inner life of wholeness and healing. A year ago I was conflicted and torn – embarking on a peculiar journey that was foreign and alien. Yet, in some respects it was as though I had come home to a larger family where I was free to be myself.
Free to be ourselves
When we discover that we are all part of a larger family, United in a common humanity, and that over and above us and within us there is a universal truth and justice, where the God of Compassion and Goodness is present, then we find ourselves on the journey to freedom. When we have an experience of the love of God And the God of Love, We begin to discover how precious each person is in God’s plan for humanity. With all our beauty and brokenness, each one of us is important. We can be ourselves and let the beauty in us grow. We are not the centre of the world-and we do not have to be! We are part of a broken humanity, and in the company of others, We can stand up and continue the quest for freedom, truth and peace.
~Jean Vanier
While I still don't have the freedom to verbally share my ideas with too many people in my circle, that's OK most days - for I am free to simply live into and out of these new aware nesses and realities.
St. Francis of Assisi has said, Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.
In my living out what I’ll term the gospel (good news) of Buddha Chick, I’ve let go of the compulsion to speak of my new found passions and ideas. I’ve come to see that that need to voice all the wonders of these new learnings stems from deep wounds of not having been heard as a child. Having found freedom and an expansive pattern for living allows for the proverbial ripple affect. This has played out big time over the past few weeks.
Allow me to share a back story:
About half way through last year’s stunning transformative process, I had a spectacular breakthrough. On the heels of that exhilarating experience, I was placed in a situation where all my new learnings were put to a severe test.
In the back of my mind, the old eight track tape of my life started its continuous looping. Taking keen notice of what was being played on that vintage recording device, I compared those old tunes to the newer harmonies in my heart and met those old tapes head on as my truest self. My inner child, who had been cowering in a corner at times, was most grateful! As the challenging episode reached its conclusion, she and I had a really good talk and took a long drive. I took that eight track out of the play deck and threw that thing out the window – magnetic tape streaming – now laid waste along the highway medium.
That experience got me thinking that it was time to figuratively get my hands on an MP3 player and compile a new play list.
Recently, another crisis arose and my feet were put to the fire. All my BCL learnings, along with this quote from Pema Chödrön, gave me the courage to respond in a whole new way:
The only reason we don't open our hearts and minds to other people is that they trigger confusion in us that we don't feel brave enough or sane enough to deal with. To the degree that we look clearly and compassionately at ourselves, we feel confident and fearless about looking into someone else's eyes.
My new play list includes self-soothing practices and allows for calm, clear and wise thinking. Even in the turmoil of this crisis, peace descends like refreshing dew over my troubled heart. As equanimity and compassion spring up I feel as though I have in some way passed an important test of what I have been learning (and unlearning.)
A week of breath, metta, and silence on my part apparently allowed the one who had taken offense to let go of her habitual reactions and over the course of the next week, we were able to have a cautious, compassionate email exchange. You talk about climate change! Here, I am more than grateful that the “polar cap” of this particular relationship is thawing.
In our conversation, my responses surprise even me. By looking clearly and compassionately at myself, my confidence and courage grew until I was able to look into this dear one’s eyes. What was the most challenging confrontation of our lives has been diffused – in great part because I’m learning how to be free to be me. That’s quite a change.
Previously know as Undercover Buddha Chick, Uncovered Buddha Chick is learning to live more and more out of her true self - to live authentically. To live simply. To live without fear – or, at least, to be courageous in the face of fear. To live with an open heart. Through mindfulness, metta and loving-kindness and self compassion practices self awareness is being cultivated. With eyes wide open to see and ears to hear what’s really going on within herself, she is learning transparency. In the process, pre-conceived notions, prejudices and judgments are being released.
Her longings for authentic community are being met, in part, on the pages of Buddha Chick Life. Having come out of the shadows to live clear, calm and wise, she wants to be a better human being. She is me. Is she you?
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