IT WAS STANDING ROOM ONLY……

Monday, June 10, 2013

IT WAS STANDING ROOM ONLY……

…..at The Arroyo del Rey ‘Salon on the Spiritually Creative life’. Satinder Dhiman, author of ‘Seven Habits of Highly Fulfilled People’ spoke of the seven gifts ‘as habits of mind geared toward attaining lasting fulfillment – gifts of pure motivation, gratitude, generosity, selfless service, harmlessness, acceptance, and presence’. Over 75 people listened in rapt silence.

Carol, our hostess, introduced Satinder with a long list of his accomplishments. He is probably the most well read person I know, with an amazing frame of reference, but the salient quality of Satinder is his gentle, humble spirit. He definitely ‘walks the walk’!(Carol is standing in front of the painting.)

I think I was just too far away to get a good photo ……

The same for Satinder….maybe I should bring my camera instead of the iPhone.

Edward Lee Goldstein, author of ‘Faith-A Lion’s Healing Journey Back to Innocence…Lessons on Forgiveness’ is standing closest to me.

Afterwards we all held hands and said Richard’s wonderful native American prayer. And, as always, Carol had the most wonderful assortment of refreshments for everyone.

So many beautiful flowers….

Hi Ken….great to see you!

Valerie, thanks sooooo much for reminding me about this!

Carol & Duchess bid everyone a fond farewell!

If you don’t already have it, be sure to order ‘Under the Bridges at Arroyo del Rey’ from www.amazon.com …..and not just because there’s a chapter on my Salon talk ‘May You Always be Free’ using ‘Suma the Elephant’ as the wonderful metaphor it is…..but because it’s an inspiring book!

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Introduction

There is no avoiding the pull of the internet, the blogs, the YouTube imaginings. It's as if we're all 'On the Road' with Jack Kerouac each in our own world of meanderings. When we tell someone to 'get a life' it might be a bit difficult when you're dragged into other people's 24/7.

I've come to realize two foundational principals, there are no accidents and everyone has a purpose. More and more I'm desiring everyone to come into a full realization of their purpose as we all find our way on this little jewel of a planet.

For me, as a professional 'Western style artist', I stumbled into Chinese Brush Painting after a trip in 1980 to Monet's home/garden. Seeing all of his collection of Japanese woodblock prints was an ahh haa moment for me and when I returned to the States I started painting in the Chinese manner and never looked back. The first year was extremely painful for me as I felt that I should be able to master the technique since I was a 'trained' artist. Not a chance ... that just gets in your way.

Now, after teaching close to 3,000 students and having my book 'The Ch'i of the Brush' published by Watson Guptill, I can say that every one of my students does better their first day than I did my first year! Why? Because I insist that they leave their critical parent outside and just enjoy the journey, respecting the work that they do. I never let anyone throw anything away because that just ingrains frustration and defeat.

We really only begin to learn when we stop and figure out how to 'save' a painting. It works every time.I am so proud of my students, their receptivity and eagerness to express themselves is a continuing blessing for me.So, back to finding your purpose. Perhaps it starts with realizing 'it's not about me'. It so easy to want our needs met and to filter everything thru this attitude. When we realize that we're here to be of benefit to every life that we touch the universe really provides the ways and means.

The best part is that it's really exciting to not have yourself on your mind all the time!I'm re-reading a wonderful book about authenticity and in my next meandering I'll tell you about it. In the meantime I'd love to hear about your journey and am here to answer any and all questions about Chinese Brush Painting.