Creativity Practice

I need an artistic practice for the end of summer that will give me a creative outlet without too much pressure. I'm full up with projects, service, and caregiving; I need something that regularly fills my "creativity well", without much time or energy.

A day is an abundant portion of time; I can accomplish great things in a day or I can waste the day, whichever I please. And moments in a day are meant to be wasted - if I want to read a book, I should read! If I want to play a game, I should play!

But by the end of each day I want to feel like I did the work of an artist, teacher, activist, and loving human. I want and need to do something meaningful each day, to move closer to my purpose, because if I fall in to a pattern of wasted days, weeks, months, then I will feel unhappy; working on my priorities fills me and frees me.

Agenda:

1. Read "Creativity Takes Courage"

2. Evaluate my creative habits

3. Starting

4. Do the smallest thing

First Quarter Moon of Early August

Last night was the First Quarter Moon; we are one-quarter of the way through the moon cycle. The moon is waxing - growing in light and energy, creating a time for decisive action. I use this quarter moon's energy to help me to discern my Truth and then act on it; this requires some discipline.

The ancient Stoic philosophers used discipline as a tool in their journey towards a life lived well. Epictetus listed three disciplines: Amor Fati, or the loving acceptance of one’s fate, which was for living in harmony with the nature of the universe as a whole; Hormê, or the impulse to ethical action, for living in harmony with humans; and Sunkatathesis, which is mindfulness, for living in harmony with our own essential nature, with reason and truthfulness in both thoughts and speech.

I long for better discipline - to give me stability and structure, and help me to be responsible; to allow me to keep promises to myself and to others, and maintain the integrity and self-control that I want; to empower me to grow and reach my dreams. But I also hope that this growth in discipline might lead to a transcendent state where I no longer rely on discipline because I love and understand myself enough to follow the right path naturally!

Agenda Today:

1. Read "Creativity Takes Courage"

2. Journal queries
3. Make a full effort plan

4. Evaluate my creativity habits:

5. Do the smallest thing

Be a Creative Force for Nature

Many years ago I set the intention to “be a creative force for nature” - I didn’t coin the phrase but it has been a powerful mantra for me. It means to use all your creative skills:

• To give a voice to nature. 
• To inspire empathy and critical action for nature.
• For education, to help to shift the paradigm.

The Wild Voices Collective is a group of artists with that same mission. I am inspired by their artwork. But creativity takes many, many forms. We each need to seek and find our personal way to be a force for nature. 

Agenda:
1. Read "Creativity Takes Courage"
2. Simple project list
3. Do the smallest thing

First Quarter Moon of Early July

Tonight is the First Quarter Moon; we are one-quarter of the way through the moon cycle. The moon is waxing - growing in light and energy, creating a time for decisive action. I use this early July quarter moon's energy to take the first steps toward my dreams. 

Agenda Today:

1. Read "Creativity Takes Courage"

2. Journal queries
3. Make a full effort plan

4. Proaction

5. Reciprocity plans

New Lotus Moon

The sixth new moon is know as the Lotus Moon by the Chinese. The lotus is the "flower of open-heartedness", an emblem of purity, fruitfulness (because of its many seeds) and creative power. And since lotus leaves protect the goldfish under them (a symbol of prosperity), the lotus also symbolizes abundance year after year.

Detail from "Connect", acrylic

A lotus flower grows out of the mud, and blossoms above the muddy water surface. Buddhists teach that, like a lotus, we can rise above the suffering and conflicts of life. The Lotus Moon, then, is the natural time to dig into the mud of my life, and seek out the best ways to grow above the fray.

Agenda:

1. Read "Creativity Takes Courage"

2. Choose a month theme

3. Set intentions

Fourth Sunday of Lent and Chaitra Navratri

Today is the start of Navratri, a Hindu holiday during which we honor and thank Shakti, the Divine Mother, in all her forms. Shakti is the universal principle of energy and creativity, Mother Earth, and the feminine power in each of us.

The word nava means nine and ratri means nights; the festival lasts for nine nights and ten days. Navratri is celebrated twice each year, in the spring and fall, because these are times when nature and people undergo great changes. Spring (Chaitra) Navratri begins the day after the new moon in late March or early April, and is celebrated as a request to Shakti for a good growing season.

The nine nights of Navratri are broken up into sets of three, and during each a different aspect of Shakti is meditated upon - the Goddesses Durga, then Lakshmi, and then Saraswati. Each of the three goddesses marks a stage of the spiritual journey we all go through: Durga’s strength and energy creates an opening, Lakshmi’s success and fortune nurtures growth, and Saraswati’s wisdom and knowledge leads to enlightenment, happiness, and peace.

Agenda:

2021 Rangoli (with grandson help)

1. Morning meditation and mantra

2. Read "Everyday Simplicity"

3. Make a self-cultivation plan

4. Lent review and Simple food plan

5. Make a rangoli design

6. Plant grain seeds
7. Set up an altar for Mother Nature
8. Make channa sundal (spicy chickpeas)

Autumn Navratri

Navratri is a Hindu holiday during which we honor and thank Shakti, the Divine Mother, in all her forms. Shakti is the universal principle of energy and creativity, Mother Earth, and the feminine power in each of us. 

The word nava means nine and ratri means nights; the festival lasts for nine nights, symbolic of the nine months in the womb.

Navratri is celebrated at least twice each year in India - in the spring and fall - because these are times when nature and people undergo great changes. Autumn (Sharad) Navratri begins on the day after the rise of the new moon in late September or early October.

The nine nights of Navratri are broken up into sets of three, and during each a different aspect of Shakti is meditated upon - the Goddesses Durga, then Lakshmi, and then Saraswati. Each of the three goddesses marks a stage of the spiritual journey we all go through: Durga’s strength and energy creates an opening, Lakshmi’s success and fortune nurtures growth, and Saraswati’s wisdom and knowledge leads to enlightenment, happiness, and peace.

 
Agenda for today:

1. Morning meditation and mantra

2. Make a rangoli design / seed medallion

3. Make potpourri

4. Set up an altar for Mother Nature

Chaitra Navratri

Today is the start of Navratri, a Hindu holiday during which we honor and thank Shakti, the Divine Mother, in all her forms. Shakti is the universal principle of energy and creativity, Mother Earth, and the feminine power in each of us.

The word nava means nine and ratri means nights; the festival lasts for nine nights and ten days. Navratri is celebrated twice each year, in the spring and fall, because these are times when nature and people undergo great changes. Spring (Chaitra) Navratri begins the day after the new moon in late March or early April, and is celebrated as a request to Shakti for a good growing season.

This spring I'm going to experiment with gearing my Navratri celebration for a toddler! 

Agenda:

1- Make a rangoli design
2- Plant grain seeds
3- Set up an altar for Mother Nature
4- Morning meditation on strength5- Make channa sundal (spicy chickpeas)6- Evening visualization and prayer7- Durga mantra

Navratri

Today is the start of Navratri, a Hindu holiday during which we honor and thank Shakti, the Divine Mother, in all her forms. Shakti is the universal principle of energy and creativity, Mother Earth, and the feminine power in each of us.

The word nava means nine and ratri means nights; the festival lasts for nine nights and ten days. Navratri is celebrated twice each year, in the spring and fall, because these are times when nature and people undergo great changes. Spring (Chaitra) Navratri begins the day after the new moon in late March or early April, and is celebrated as a request to Shakti for a good growing season.

Agenda:
1- Make a rangoli design
2- Plant grain seeds
3- Set up an altar for Mother Nature
4- Morning meditation on strength
5- Make channa sundal (spicy chickpeas)
6- Evening visualization and prayer
7- Durga mantra

Spring Navratri

Today is the start of Navratri, a Hindu holiday during which we honor and thank Shakti, the Divine Mother, in all her forms. Shakti is the universal principle of energy and creativity, Mother Earth, and the feminine power in each of us.

The word nava means nine and ratri means nights; the festival lasts for nine nights and ten days. Navratri is celebrated twice each year, in the spring and fall, because these are times when nature and people undergo great changes. Spring (Chaitra) Navratri begins the day after the new moon in late March or early April, and is celebrated as a request to Shakti for a good growing season.

Agenda:
1- Make a rangoli design
2- Plant grain seeds
3- Set up an altar for Mother Nature
4- Morning meditation on strength
5- Make channa sundal (spicy chickpeas)
6- Evening visualization and prayer
7- Durga mantra

Nirvana Day

Today is Nirvana Day, the celebration of Buddha's death at the age of 80, at around 487 BCE. It's celebrated in East Asia on February 15th, or on February 8th by some.

Buddhists celebrate the date of the death of the Buddha, because death is when the soul is released from the body to experience Nirvana. The word Nirvana means "to extinguish", but it's really more of a transformation to a new kind of existence. 

Nirvana is usually described as a state of bliss or peace, and a release from all physical suffering. The Buddha taught that Nirvana was beyond human imagination, and so speculation about what Nirvana is like is considered by some to be foolish.

Agenda for today:

1. Read the Buddha's teachings
2. Open to uncertainty
3. Bodhisattva practices
4. Eat a Buddha bowl

Autumn Navratri

Navratri is a Hindu holiday during which we honor and thank Shakti, the Divine Mother, in all her forms. Shakti is the universal principle of energy and creativity, Mother Earth, and the feminine power in each of us. 

The word nava means nine and ratri means nights; the festival lasts for nine nights, symbolic of the nine months in the womb.

Navratri is celebrated at least twice each year in India- in the spring and fall- because these are times when nature and people undergo great changes. Autumn (Sharad) Navratri begins on the day after the rise of the new moon in late September or early October.

Agenda:

1- Make a rangoli design
2- Plant grain seeds
3- Set up an altar for Mother Nature
4- Morning meditation on strength 
5- Make channa sundal (spicy chickpeas)
6- Evening visualization and prayer
7- Durga mantra

New Budding Moon and Spring Navratri

Tonight is the new moon; the Chinese call the second new moon the Budding Moon. 

Spring has always been my favorite time of year, when I feel most creative and joyful. As we cycle nearer to spring, I can feel my energy growing and swelling like the buds on the trees!

Today is also the start of Navratri, a Hindu holiday during which we honor and thank Shakti, the Divine Mother, in all her forms. Shakti is the universal principle of energy and creativity, Mother Earth, and the feminine power in each of us.

The word nava means nine and ratri means nights; the festival lasts for nine nights and ten days. Navratri is celebrated twice each year, in the spring and fall, because these are times when nature and people undergo great changes. Spring (Chaitra) Navratri begins the day after the new moon in late March or early April, and is celebrated as a request to Shakti for a good growing season.

Agenda:
1- Make a rangoli design
2- Plant grain seeds
3- Set up an altar for Mother Nature
4- Journal queries
5- Morning meditation on strength
6- Make channa sundal (spicy chickpeas)
7- Evening visualization and prayer
8- Durga mantra

Navratri

Navratri is a Hindu holiday during which we honor and thank Shakti, the Divine Mother, in all her forms. Shakti is the universal principle of energy and creativity, Mother Earth, and the feminine power in each of us. 

The word nava means nine and ratri means nights; the festival lasts for nine nights, symbolic of the nine months in the womb.
Navratri is celebrated at least twice each year in India, in the spring and fall, because these are times when nature and people undergo great changes. Autumn (Sharad) Navratri begins on the day after the rise of the new moon in late September or early October.

Agenda:
1- Make a rangoli design
2- Plant grain seeds
3- Set up an altar for Mother Nature
4- Morning meditation on strength 
5- Make channa sundal (spicy chickpeas)
6- Evening visualization and prayer
7- Durga mantra

Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati, is one of the most beloved of all the Hindu gods. He is the god of wisdom, beginnings, and success. His birthday festival, or chaturthi, begins on the fourth day of this waxing moon and lasts for 10 days.

Hindus believe in one God who has many symbolic forms. Ganesha is worshipped as the Lord of Beginnings and the Lord of Obstacles, both of a material and spiritual order. He can remove obstacles, or also place obstacles in the path of those who need to be slowed. 

I plan to use Ganesha as a focus for my meditation for the next 10 days, give attention to my obstacles, and find a way forward through them.

Agenda for this week:
1.  Make a clay Ganesha
2. Make a Success Altar
3. Ceremony for beginning and success

Nirvana Day

Nirvana Day is the celebration of Buddha's death at the age of 80, at around 487 BCE. It's celebrated in East Asia on February 15th, or on February 8th by some people.

Buddhists celebrate death because it's when the soul is released from the body to experience Nirvana. The word Nirvana means "to extinguish", but it's really more of a transformation to a new kind of existence. Nirvana is usually described as a state of bliss or peace, and a release from all physical suffering. The Buddha taught that Nirvana was beyond human imagination, and so speculation about what Nirvana is like is considered by some to be foolish.

Nirvana Day is a time for contemplation of the Buddha's teachings. Some monasteries and temples hold meditation retreats. People visit and bring gifts of money and household goods to support monks and nuns.

Agenda Today:

1. Open to Uncertainty:
Buddha's last words were, "Behold, O monks, this is my last advice to you. All component things in the world are changeable. They are not lasting. Strive for your liberation with diligence." 

So Buddha says we are all marked by impermanence- all life is fleeting and changeable. I am not in control! I know this, of course, but emotionally I resist it every day. I cling to my past happiness and resist the pain of today.

Nirvana Day is a reminder to try again to accept the uncertainty of everything.

2. Read:
Nirvana Day is a time for contemplation of the Buddha's teachings. On this day, people often read passages from the Nirvana Sutra, describing the Buddha’s last days of life. 

I read instead from my favorite Buddhist author, Pema Chodrin. She has a book that's entirely about the impermanence of life called Comfortable with Uncertainty: 108 Teachings on Cultivating Fearlessness and Compassion. She says-

“Our habitual patterns are, of course, well established, seductive, and comforting. Just wishing for them to be ventilated isn’t enough. Mindfulness and awareness are key. 

Do we see the stories that we’re telling ourselves and question their validity? 
When we are distracted by a strong emotion, do we remember that it is part of our path? 
Can we feel the emotion and breathe it into our hearts for ourselves and everyone else? 

If we can remember to experiment like this even occasionally, we are training as a warrior. And when we can’t practice when distracted but know that we can’t, we are still training well. Never underestimate the power of compassionately recognizing what’s going on.”

3. Bodhisattva Practices:

Pema Chodron talks about training to be a bodhisattva, a compassionate warrior who has generated enough love to reach nirvana, but remains alive to help others who suffer.
"Warrior-bodhisattvas enter challenging situations in order to alleviate suffering. They are willing to cut through personal reactivity and self-deception .... A warrior accepts that we can never know what will happen to us next. We can try to control the uncontrollable by looking for security and predictability, always hoping to be comfortable and safe. But the truth is that we can never avoid uncertainty. This not-knowing is part of the adventure."

So, how does one train to be a bodhisattva? By cultivating the four limitless qualities of loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. (Equanimity vs. reactivity is my challange!)

"But bodhichitta training offers no promise of happy endings. Rather, this “I” who wants to find security—who wants something to hold on to—will finally learn to grow up. If we find ourselves in doubt that we’re up to being a warrior-in-training, we can contemplate this question: “Do I prefer to grow up and relate to life directly, or do I choose to live and die in fear?” 

First Bodhisattva Practices:
1. Slogan: Every morning this week say, “I accept that I can never know what will happen next. This is part of the adventure!”

2. Observe: As I face daily encounters with unpredictability, notice my feelings of fear, irritation, confusion, defensiveness, worry, or disappointment- these are flags that show me when I am holding back.

3. Break my pattern: Rather than holding back, perk up and lean in to the situation. Embrace the uncertainty of the moment. Step out of the safety zone! Accept the situation, accept my emotions, and accept the people involved.

4. Meditation: 
I will try to meditate for awhile each day for the next week. Meditation is one way to learn to be vulnerable. When a thought rises, breathe it gently away- let the emotion remain and experience it fully without the thought; be present in the moment and tender toward myself, others, and the world.

Autumn Navratri and New Chrysanthemum Moon

Navratri is a Hindu holiday during which we honor and thank Shakti, the Divine Mother, in all her forms. Shakti is the universal principle of energy and creativity, Mother Earth, and the feminine power in each of us. The word nava means nine and ratri means nights; the festival lasts for nine nights, symbolic of the nine months in the womb.

Navratri is celebrated at least twice each year in India, in the spring and fall, because these are times when nature and people undergo great changes. Autumn (Sharad) Navratri begins on the day of the new moon in late September or early October.

The Chinese call this ninth new moon the Chrysanthemum Moon. The chrysanthemum is a symbol of long life and endurance because of its ability to withstand colder temperatures. According to Chinese scholars, it shows the virtues of one who can endure temptations and maintain grace.

Agenda Today:

1- Paint Chrysanthemums:

I bought a chrysanthemum to plant in the pot on the porch, and yesterday I took some time to practice my Chinese brush painting, thinking on the qualities of endurance and grace.




I got excited, and attached the rice paper to a small canvas, and proceeded to paint the abstract shown below.

Endurance- acrylic on canvas.

2. Journal:

What are the possibilities?

What might give my life more wholeness?

What would I most like to do in life that I'm not getting to?

List my intentions for the next four weeks in these areas-

Self, Friends and Family, Teaching, Artwork, Writing, Home and Garden, Work/Business, and Volunteer work.

3- Make a rangoli design:

Rangolis are rice flour designs, made on the floor or a metal plate. At Navratri a new design might be made each day, with dots, squares, flowers, birds, and so on- each one designed to welcome the spirit of the Goddess.

Today I made a rangoli on the silver plate that holds my diya lamps, choosing a design that I found at this site. 

I made my own colored rice flour- for more information about rangoli, and how I made the colored rice flour, see my Pongal post. 

First I used a sieve to sprinkle the pink rice flour evenly onto the plate.


Next I used a stick to trace the design- it's hard to see, but I made dots first to get the right spacing.

4- Plant seeds:

My three cereal, soaking overnight.

Most Hindu households sprout a bowl of seeds for Navratri, called the Nava-Dhanya (nine cereals), each a symbol of a different planet. 

Last night I put three kinds of grain seeds in a bowl of water to soak overnight: Wheat for the sun, rice for the moon, and corn for the earth (corn is not a Hindu grain but important to me!) 

Cereals spread on a layer of damp soil-
next I will cover with another layer of soil. then spray with water.

Today I planted my seeds and watered them well; the sowing, sprouting and growth of the grains is intended to bring peace, abundance, and joy to the household. As they sprout during the nine days of the festival, they will remind me of the vibrancy of life and the creative energy of the Shakti.

5- Set up an altar for Mother Nature:
The nine nights of Navratri are broken up into sets of three, and during each a different aspect of Shakti is meditated upon- the Goddesses Durga, then Lakshmi, and then Saraswati. For the first three nights the Mother is invoked as Durga, goddess of strength and courage.

Durga is on the left, above the bowl of seeds.

Today I made an altar to honor the Mother. My altar is in no way authentically Hindu- I make it for my own use, to remind me of the work I am doing. If you want to see an authentic puja, watch this video.

I set out pictures of the three goddesses and added:

• my rangoli design- to welcome the Shakti
• bells- to keep me awake
• diya lamps- for the Light of God
• God's eyes- to watch over us
• my harvest doll- for autumn
• an empty bowl- to remind me to start each day with no expectations
• and a bowl of soil with seeds- for the creative energy of the Shakti

6- New Moon Meditation:
During Navratri, Hindus work on their vyavhaar (behaviour) and acharan (character). Each of the three goddesses signifies a stage of the spiritual journey we all go through: Durga’s strength and energy creates an opening, Lakshmi’s success and fortune nurtures growth, and Saraswati’s wisdom and knowledge leads to enlightenment, happiness, and peace.

On each morning of Navratri I light a small white candle, center, and feel myself fill with thankfulness for all I have now in my life. For the first three mornings I meditate on my strengths- the ways that Durga shines in me- and the qualities or habits I wish to let Durga destroy.

7- Make sundal: 
Many Hindus eat only vegetarian foods during Navratri; often a different sundal (dry legume dish) each night. 

Tonight I will make Channa Sundal, with chickpeas- spicy and good!

Ingredients: 

• 1 can chickpeas
• 1 Tbsp. oil
• 1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
• salt
• 1/3 c. grated coconut
• pinch of cayenne

Yield: Serves 2-

1- Open the can of chickpeas and rinse and drain. Set aside.

2- Add oil to a wok or frying pan and heat. Add the mustard seeds to the hot oil, and stir for a few seconds, just until the seeds begin to pop.

3- Add the chickpeas and the red pepper, and mix well. Add a pinch of Asafoetida (helps with gas!), salt to taste, the grated coconut, and a pinch of cayenne. Mix and stir for few seconds then turn off the heat, cover, and let it sit for few seconds. Serve with yogurt and naan.

8- Visualization and prayer:

I end each day with a prayer. For these first three nights I honor the destructive aspect of the Mother. 

Durga is a warrior- not an easy image for a pacifist, but important to acknowledge. Durga rides a fierce tiger, and has 10 arms, which hold weapons and a lotus flower. She destroys  the evils that threaten the stability of the cosmos, and she helps the universe to continue with its cycle of creation, preservation and destruction.

I picture this Mother Spirit entering my heart riding her tiger. I see Her wipe out my anger, greed, laziness, procrastination, indifference, pride, defensiveness, and jealousy.

"Thank you, Great Spirit, for providing energy for the earth to move around the sun, and for maintaining the correct balance of the universe. You are the earth. You nourish support, protect, and mother all creatures, all beings. I ask you to help me recognize those aspects of myself that are not helpful. Give me the strength and courage to maintain my physical and mental balance, and to destroy my vices and defects so that what is good and pure has room to unfold.”

9- Durga Mantra:
I continue to focus on my image of Durga and chant-

• Om - the primordial sound, 
• Dum - the energy which protects from all negative influences, 
• Dur-ga-yei - goddess of strength, 
• Na-ma-ha - I pray.

(You might want to chant along with someone who knows how. Many YouTube versions exist, and my favorite is here.)