“Thoughts Moving in Consciousness #2”
Satsang Series
Acrylic and Ink on handmade paper
104x70cm (unframed)
ABOUT THIS PAINTING:
If there has been one single thing that I have
learnt over my life it is that I am happiest when I am in the Now. It has taken a long time to train myself to
be thus. This does not mean that I don’t
remember the past, it is simply that I have no need to dwell on particular past
events. Also if I feel uneasy about something
(cognitive dissidence) I can readily trace the source of this unease. This does
not mean that my mind is in a bliss-like trance, but rather that my mind is not
active until it has to respond to something.
It’s a little like a car which is idling until it is put into gear and
the accelerator activated.
It is quite natural for a human to
have thoughts. A meditative life is when
one is consciously aware of those thoughts.
This state of being is what this painting is trying to portray to the
viewer.
It was painted when I was visiting an
ashram in India. “Ashram” is an Indian
word for a spiritual retreat centre. There
are many different types of ashrams in India and many are affiliated with
different teachings and practices for personal and spiritual growth. The particular ashram where I was staying was
not tied to any particular religion and focused on meditation. (Meditation is not a religion but is a
discipline for focused awareness). The
arts (dance, music, painting etc) were encouraged. There were a couple of art studios in the
ashram and that is where I did this painting.
Artistic techniques used in this
painting:
This painting falls into the category of genre
painting. A genre painting is a painting
that is outside of portraiture, history painting or landscape. It generally is a category for ordinary
subjects. The subject of this painting
is the experience of meditation.
The style is
abstract. Many of my paintings could be
called Abstract Expressionism and I would class this one in that category. I find that this style readily lends itself
to the abstract meaning behind the painting because the painting is more about
the experience of meditation than the concept of meditation.
The title
refers to the meditative process where thoughts move in and out of
consciousness. The ink marks splattered
randomly at intervals onto the paper represent those thoughts that interrupt
the constancy of a still mind – this is what meditation is all about.
The colour is
predominantly red-orange which in this case represents high energy and passion
(not sexual passion). It is in a
heightened awareness that one attains enlightenment.
The tone of
the painting is low without very much contrast.
This painting
is one of the Satsang Series. Two other
paintings in this series are discussed in posts #33 and #66. They were all painted at the ashram.
It is hoped
that these paintings bring people to a better understanding of what meditation
is about.
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