Healing Arts The Lost Art of Contemplation By Guy Odishaw My teacher would often say, “True spiritual practice is to live in full feeling contemplation of the Divine in every moment.” Contemplation, from its Latin roots, “con” meaning “to be with”, and “template” meaning “the original form”, the blueprint. It is a integrated and integrating technique, in that it invites us to gather experience from all of our senses– external and internal, what we touch, see, hear, think, know, remember, imagine, intuit, realize–across all domains of experience and sit with it until we come into contact with the original template for our chosen topic of contemplation. When my life was simpler, I would set a side an entire day for contemplation. I would brew a pot of Jasmine tea, settle in to my favorite oversized leather chair with my favorite blanket, with my favorite mug hot with tea pressed against my chest, open my book, read one word and my mind would be set ablaze. My gaze would drift out the window and minutes or hours might pass before I returned to my book for another dose. It would go like this all day. In the end, I wouldn’t have made it through six pages, but I would have spent all day rapt in the bliss of the divine mystery. I don’t know that I ever solved a problem in all my hours contemplation, but I fell madly in love with the Ground of Being and that has always seemed much much more valuable than an answer. This is my wish for you–release your attention into the void and become undone by the boundlessness of your own Being. Guy Odishaw, founder of Bhakti Wellness Center, leads classes in Emotional Intelligence, Yoga Theory and Seven Stages of Life. For more information call 612.859.7709 or visit www.bhakticlinic.com. Bhakti Wellness Center is located in Edina, MN. www.tctosca.com Exploring TOSCA | 25 “Falling Water, No. 3by Marcia Soderman Photo courtesy of artistx A HEALING ARTS EXHIBITION Through Oct. 1, 2017 Hudson Hospital & Clinic (405 Stageline Rd., Hudson, WI) Enjoy the work of Marcia Soderman (former TOSCA cover artist) and other inspiring artists. “Through a unique partnership with The Phipps Center for the Arts, original artwork is installed throughout the entire campus, including patient rooms. Exhibits are carefully selected for their ability to inspire, reduce stress and create diversion, particularly for people going through challenging times. Art exhibits are changed continually, creating a whole new experience upon your next visit.” (From website.) Free | hudsonhospital.org | 715.513.6000
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