Tapping into the creative part of your mind and spirit can lead to amazing meditative sessions.
Creative meditation works to help stimulate other parts of the mind that are not activated through movement or stillness meditation styles.
There are many ways to practice creatively. We will cover a few that you might want to try the next time you are working on making a big decision, or need to divert yourself from negative thoughts and emotions.
Singing and Mantra meditation styles use a phrase or song that have specific toning and vocalizations. This is a bit different than a Mantra that you would use in stillness meditation because you would choose more than one word. In group creative meditation you may practice while singing rounds or in harmony.
Not all songs have to be slow or contemplative, you can choose lively songs. The goal is to use singing and/or chanting to help reach your inner core.
The most popular and well known mantra is a Sanskrit Mantra, “Om Mani Padme Hum” (Oh-mmm Ma-Knee Pahd-mee Hum). While this is a famous Mantra, especially with Tibetan Buddhists, it has no exact translation. It has some specific qualities that are thought to create joy and peaceful vibrations.
Playing a musical instrument or listening to music can help bring about an incredible meditative experience. There are many meditational songs that you can look up on YouTube, or you can use your favorite music. Sit or lie down and allow yourself to be carried away, or use music as a prelude to helping you settle into stillness meditation.
This practice can also be combined beautifully with movement meditation. If you play an instrument, create your own meditative music to record and listen to.
Contemplative creative meditation can be done with any sort of art. Drawing, painting, doodling on scratch paper, chalk art, origami or any other creative can become contemplative art. The beauty of it is that you do not have to have a specific idea or goal in mind at all.
Try this; crumple up a piece of paper as if you were going to toss it into the trash. Instead, unfold it and trace the lines, then color or shade some of them. Allow your mind to relax completely and focus on creating your artwork.
You can also use images for contemplative art. These can be wall hangings, screensavers or pictures to reflect on if you aren’t feeling particularly artsy.
Some people will light a candle and use the flame to focus on. The idea is not to become dazed by what you are looking at, but to rest your mind and reach a meditative state.