Life as Art

This past six weeks I have been exploring the concept of “Life as Art,” through my Sunday morning lessons, and in my daily life. I have found over the years of being a teacher that the saying “we teach what we need to learn” is true. The truth of that adage has never been more apparent to me than during this journey of discovery on creating life as a work of art. The exploration has given me direction on what it means to create, through thoughts, words and actions, a life that reflects the nature of my soul – the individuated expression of the life of God that is unique in each of us.

I have come to the somewhat painful realization that in many ways I have been fitting my life into a mold that I have allowed others to shape for me. As a result, rather than creating my life as a unique work of art, I have instead been living a replica of what I believe others have found worthy and acceptable of appreciation. I have discovered that, in some ways, I have lived to fit into a mold that was formed in response to the thoughts, beliefs, words, and actions of others. As it turns out, there are parts of my life that are at best in some ways an imitation, if not a complete forgery of my authentic soul. I suspect that may be true for others as well.

“Life as Art” is a life that is inspired from within. The following quote is attributed to the great Italian artist, Michelangelo.

“In every block of marble I see a statue as plain as though it stood before me, shaped and perfect in attitude and action. I have only to hew away the rough walls that imprison the lovely apparition to reveal it to the other eyes as mine see it.”

An artist is one who brings the invisible into visibility. The work of a great artist is to look with eyes that are willing and able to see the beauty of what already exists in potential and to reveal it to others. In the case of the great sculptor, a great work of art is revealed by removing everything superfluous until the “soul” of the statue is revealed.

Similarly, our work, as the artist of our lives, is to be willing to look within to see the beauty of our soul and allow it to reveal itself to us.

The first step in doing this is intentionally inviting awareness of the light of the soul within to reveal itself.

I recommend doing this by making time to sit in a quiet place, possibly your regular meditation space. As you sit comfortably, focus on the breath and gently, either aloud or in your mind, ask your soul to be present with you. Then, using the power of imagination, one of the twelve powers of man discerned by Unity cofounder Charles Fillmore, imagine your soul revealing itself through words, visions, sounds or impressions. The mind may get busy, maybe busier than usual, but keep going back to the breath and focus on the light within. Even if you don’t immediately receive anything definitive, trust that you are connecting with your soul. Do this for at least 10 minutes every day. Write in your journal any impressions received. Also, pay attention to what begins to show up in your life. Do not discount anything or anyone who shows up in your conscious awareness. Trust that there are no accidents and that through your intention to connect more consciously with your soul, it is at work drawing you to people, places and situations that will teach you what you long to know.

As we become more consciously aware of our souls, we awaken to the beauty that is uniquely ours to share with the world through our innate gifts and talents. In connection with our souls, we can begin to “hew away the rough walls that imprison” us so that our true nature may be revealed.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that everything in our lives will have to change. The “rough walls that imprison us” are first hewn in our consciousness. As we encounter the walls of our limiting beliefs we must be willing to question them, and if we find them restricting, then transform them. As St. Paul said, “I am transformed by the renewing of my mind” (Romans 12:2).

When the walls of our limiting beliefs fall away, we are more open to the revelation of our true selves; our souls which are “shaped and perfect in attitude and action.”

Our work then, in creating our lives as a work of art that embodies the individuated nature of our soul, is to continue to stay focused on the true nature within and allow it to guide our thoughts, words and actions. In this way, we reveal to the world our Divinity. And, in doing so, we encourage others to do the same. As spiritual teacher and author, Marianne Williamson said,

“As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” 

We are all here to shine as the light of God in our own unique and wondrous way, and as we allow ourselves to do that, we co-create a world that reflects the Glory of God.

As I am wrapping up this series of lessons, I am keenly aware of how this journey has impacted my life. I am amazed and delighted by the people, books and processes that have come into my life to support me. I am taking it as evidence that I as I set a clear intention to be more consciously aware of my soul, that it is revealing to me in myriad ways who I truly am and what I am here to share. If I am to honor my soul and follow its guidance, I will be making some changes in my life.

I am being called to assess what “ministry” looks like and how my soul longs to express through ministry. I am being called to look at how I may be attempting to fit into a mold of ministry that when formed by others does not allow me to express fully as who I am. I do not yet have clarity on how that will unfold. I am doing my best to trust and allow this creation to express in Divine Order.

“Life as Art” is a life in which the innate beauty of the soul is revealed. As the artist of our life, we must be willing to see it clearly in all its wonder and majesty and release all that would imprison it. I am recommitting myself to creating my “Life as Art” on a daily basis. I hope you will join me in that commitment. Let’s celebrate our journeys together.

Join us on Sunday at 10:00 as we explore further how we might reveal to the world who we are as God’s great masterpiece.