One of the key elements in our approach is the importance of listening to your image, rather than explaining, or interpreting it. That's where the power is - in the listening, and in the noticing. This sometimes surprises people. A client or group member might expect us, as the
"expert" to tell them
what their image means. A student might expect us to teach them how to interpret another person's image. That's not what we do. In fact, we ask you to avoid interpreting even your own image.
Rather, we suggest that you further your relationship with it, by welcoming it, being curious about it, and listening to it.
You may wonder: How do I listen to an image? If it is a visual image, one of the simplest, and most powerful ways is to give it a voice and speak, or write, what it says.
Here is an example.
Kathleen spontaneously created this image, as part of her exploration of the question -
Where am I now in my life?
The image "arrived" on the page, without thought. I didn't ask what it meant. I just looked at it, curious, and interested. I imagined the image had a voice, and, beginning with the words "I am" I wrote down what it said.
"I am at a place where everything is shifting, and everything is in balance, somehow, at the same time. A spiralling of opposites seeking not just balance, but something new. A place to witness what is. A place for self-compassion. A place for trust."
After taking some time to consider the image further, and to read over my writing, i began to see how this related to my life, and helped me see the "now" in my life in a new way. I then wrote this:
I recognize that I am at a pivotal point in my life, and I encounter it, without judgement.
This message is very meaningful to me and actually helps me to navigate the current terrain of my life as a loving witness.
Try it. You might be surprised. This is a simple and powerful way to tap in to what we have come to call "creative wisdom". A trust in the deep wisdom of our imagination is at the core of what we teach - in our workshops, our certificate training program and our online workshops and
classes.
If you want more, and you are ready to embark on an online training journey with us, you might be interested in our brand new training course:
Creative Wisdom: Introductory Online Training in Expressive Arts.
Creative Wisdom is an online self-study training that you can work through at your own pace. It is a training, as distinct from a workshop, meaning that in addition to a rich and deep experiential process, you will also receive a basic overview and understanding of the field of Expressive Arts. You will learn some ways of integrating the key elements of
Expressive Arts into your work, whether you are a counselor, educator, healthcare professional, spiritual director, coach, or artist, to name a few, or someone who is simply feeling called or drawn to this field, wanting to know and learn more.
Whatever your interest, we would be happy to welcome you! It will go on sale, at a special introductory price, on June 24.
We are working hard behind the scenes to get it ready for you. Stay tuned.
We hope you will join us as we guide you through a full introduction to Expressive Arts! And for all of our classes, training, and workshops, visit www.expressiveartsflorida.com
Kathleen, Tamara, Victoria,
Core Faculty, Registered Expressive Arts Consultant Educators
Kathleen Horne, MA, LMHC, REACE, REAT
Tamara Teeter Knapp, Certified K-12 Art Teacher, REACE
Victoria Domenichello-Anderson, MA, REACE
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