I was teaching this past weekend at the Sanctuary on the Art of Rest. We were exploring day 6 out of seven, which is Creative Rest. It’s interesting how many of us don’t consider ourselves to be creative. When in all reality, all human beings have a creative streak in them. We may not be painters, writers, or musicians; however, each and every day, there’s always some form of creativity that we are engaging in. Whether that is mapping out a new route on how to get to work or building a meal for the family we love, or perhaps it is cleaning up the garden, moving the furniture into a new arrangement or even picking the clothes we wear, we all engage in innovation and creation. On a daily basis.
And I think this where mindfulness comes in. When we slow down and pay attention, we can start to notice all the ways that creativity plays a role in the decisions that we make and the way we are continually shaping our experience of the world around us. Mindfulness invites us to pause, be curious, move out of autopilot so that we can have eyes that see the possibilities in the ordinary. More importantly, we can become present to the process, rather than focused on the outcome.
This past weekend, I was thinking about all the ways that creating, and in particular creating for other people in my life, brings me joy. To me, there is nothing like cooking a meal or baking a pie for my friends and family to make me feel both connected and like I am contributing to the circles and communities in which I belong.
And when I think about it, there is something mindful about these acts of creation too. Cooking and baking become my mindfulness practice. The feeling of the food in my hands, the tasting as I go and my imagining of the people gathered around my table all foster a sense of presence, connection and care. The process itself becomes part of the gift.
There’s something deeply human about wanting to contribute. Contributing helps us feel that we matter, that our presence makes a difference, that we have something to offer, and maybe even that we are helping to make the world a little better in some way. It doesn’t mean that we have to do something extraordinary. It might mean that we’re making someone laugh, caring for a plant, sharing an idea or creating something beautiful. It gives us a sense of purpose.
Every time I teach, no matter how many times I teach it, I learn something new. And this weekend, I was reminded that if we slow down and appreciate the small ways we already contribute, we recognise that we don’t always have to do more, achieve more, or create something remarkable. Sometimes it’s about recognising the meaning in what we’re already doing and allowing ourselves to experience the joy of it as it unfolds.
In the past, I used to bake for all the groups who I teach. Only lately, I have been telling myself that I am too busy. (Which is fair to say!). Still, when I got home yesterday, inspired by my day of creative rest, I chose to resist the TV and spend some time baking in my kitchen. The house was filled with smell of vanilla and warmth and I went to bed feeling satisfied. I can hardly wait to share my creation with today’s group. Yes, they will enjoy it, but probably not as much as I did making it.
This week, I will be leading a practice on ‘the creativity of being here’ at the Sanctuary’s online community sit. If this is a subject that interests you, why not join me?
-Jane
Click HERE to access the Zoom room
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