“Sacred space and sacred time and something joyous to do is all we need. Almost anything then becomes a continuous and increasing joy.”
What you have to do,
you do with play.
I think a good way to conceive of sacred space is as a playground. If what you’re doing seems like play, you are in it. But you can’t play with my toys, you have to have your own. Your life should have yielded some.”
Excerpt From
A Joseph Campbell Companion
Joseph Campbell
Well this sums it all up. I’ve always wondered about my preference for solo experiences.
My life has yielded phases where I’ve been in the “studio”. Athletics, Art, Dance, Horse, Music ; place and time where I go inward and seal off the external interruptions. As I move through the years I may change the focus but the need for the sacred remains constant.
How do you know if it’s a sacred place?
Like Joseph writes, there has to be play. This one is tricky especially when the “public” is involved. As an artist, I think it’s essential to stay in play mode and not let the outside in when painting. When I look at my best work, it’s when the session has been one of total play. Freedom. These energies are picked up by the viewer and connection is made.
How I love my torch! Fire. Liquid. Alchemy. As I look back at my various “studios” I see there are tools which create the environment. I recently was a guest artist for 4 high school classes. After the Q&A I began the demo. Out came my torch, a griddle, the paints and a panel. In two seconds I created a sacred space. The students gathered around and there was silence. Our little campfire of stories to unfold.
What are your thoughts about sacred space and time?
Leave a message by clicking on the post title which takes you to my website. Scroll down to the message box and leave a comment!
XOXO,
Francesca
Part 2 next week!
Comments:
Jalbert Louise April 22, 2018 at 6:02 pm – Reply
Thank you for the reminder. Never forget to play…
Francesca April 23, 2018 at 10:54 am – Reply Has to be top of the list!
S. Sarti April 23, 2018 at 11:21 am – Reply
“Play” is the perfect word, and that is what I do in my studio. It becomes a world of thought and emotion, colors, textures, mass and line. It has to be “fun”, and I have to be absolutely alone.
Sometimes things come together easily and well, but mostly they don’t. I search inside for solutions and it it supremely satisfying when one is discovered. Often it is a sort of struggle and sometimes, once in a while, something comes through that I love! And it is so exhilarating.
But it always begins with play and has for my entire life.
Francesca April 25, 2018 at 3:45 pm – Reply I love your response Susan. What jumped out at me is the notion that we have to be alone for the play to happen. Why is that? I beginning to think that if we keep the “struggle” visible in the work along with the parts we love; that makes the play! Your work always looks playful to me. I think you play very well!
Blair May 13, 2018 at 5:55 pm – Reply
I’m a musician and the time in my studio is definitely play even when I’m working on something hard. Lately I’m using my awareness to push into the harder skills that I’ve wanted to build for a long time. I’ve broken down some fear, resistance, and distraction to get to this point. It’s made the achievements from the hard work all the more satisfying, feeling that I’ve focused on what I need. I enjoy your emails!
Francesca May 14, 2018 at 8:44 am – Reply Hi Blair. Glad you found this post stimulating and you’re making progress on those harder skills. Fear. Resistance. Distraction. Hey, I know these folks too! If we can meet them at the door with play, all are welcome and lead to that satisfying feeling you describe. I think you have it figured out! Another trick to invite the play is to smile! It loosens the whole body and changes energy. -F
