Breathe, Relax, Paint

Some people think painting can be a form of meditation. I'm inclined to believe they are correct.

The reason painting is like meditation, is that during the painting experience, when I become completely absorbed in what I'm doing, I enter an altered state which is very similar to that of meditation. This I know, because I have both painted and meditated for many years.

Let's take a look at some of the scientifically measured benefits of meditation -

• it reduces stress

• controls anxiety

• promotes emotional health

• lengthens attention span

• may help fight addictions for some people

• some types of meditation may particularly increase positive feelings and actions toward myself and others.

• improves sleep

• can decreased blood pressure

• helps control pain

There are two kinds of meditation - focused-attention meditation and open-monitoring meditation. Painting and drawing fall into the first category, where I focus my attention on a single object, thought, sound, or visualization, ridding the mind of distractions. The meditation process may also focus on breathing, A mantra, or calming sound.is also often used. There are actually many meditation soundtracks and guided meditations available these days on line for free.