* Sky and Ocean by Jay Van Shelt
Dreaming Aloud:
"I think I'll get up...."
"Ah, but I can rest a little more...."
Everything switched to soft blue and green, like a walk in a peaceful forest...
Drifting Alone
Yet not Alone
Point of Entry
I had the strangest yet full of clarity dream. Asleep and relaxed yet awake and alert at the "same time?"
"I" was in an art therapy group and gently teaching, leading without leading, advising without words, helping others to draw and paint out their own "inner visions" and emotions. Just like old times in Art Club and Art Workshop, eons ago.
I was dressed casually in jeans and a sweatshirt. The students blended and "I" melded into the shadows yet we were fall ully present. At work and play as a unified group, we took a quantum leap in creativity.
Next, students of various ages lined up their works on a small wooden platform with a backdrop of drapery somewhat like burlap but soft blue-green felted feel and a touch of forest brown so that the paintings/ drawings would be highlighted and enhanced.
A Painted Parade:
Pen and ink in sharp zagged focus like broken glass with many geometric shapes and sizes, water colors with and without fine black ink pen overlay, brush, crayons, pencil and colored pencils, tempera, acrylics, nebulous clouds and formless unknown subjects in easy water color washes and swatches of direct thick paint.
All of the above.
There were only five paintings displayed. Showing your work and play is optional. I didn't "meet" any of the participants, nor did I see them, only cloaked with shadows, yet positive with a harmonic balance of give-receive.
I put up a picture too....all blue and green.
We all sat back and observed the works in silence and peace.
Space Slowed
** "Silence is one of the greatest gifts that we have," Yo-Yo Ma
Meditative
Contemplative
Curious
In the dream a soft sweet voice narrated to me, I don't know anything she said but it was "in English."
Point of Exit:
While the colors were winding, down I stood up getting ready to leave. A figure appeared I recognized as someone I know. She was the sponsor of the art therapy group and liked what she saw. As I left, she gathered up all of the drawings/paintings and sat down at a large wooden desk. From a drawer she handed me a tote bag. The bag was medium sized and made of felted material. The color of the bag was like denim blue, not faded or dark, but a lovely medium cerulean blue. The handles, felted, and the edging around the bag were grass green, perfect accents for the soft blue bag. The friend handed me the therapy drawings to keep. In a hurry, I shuffled them into the carry bag and closed them in with velcro sealing. The friend and I gazed at each other and each began to sniffle, beyond sorrow, more like emotional overwhelm and gentle joy.
The friend said, "And who is the artist and who is the teacher?"
And then I left and vanished into timeless shadows.
Before I awoke:
I felt I was stepping down steps and felt surrounded by the soft blue and green again, sort of like a cuddly blanket, cloud like. Was I between dimensions?
When I woke:
I with eyes closed, practiced meditations for calming heart and neutralizing strong emotions. I do this often, day or night as needed.
Eyes Open
I looked at the clock. I'm a clock watcher. One hour had passed, the last half hour of soft visual dreaming seemed like a slow motion needed rest. I couldn't believe the shifting time, like sands sifting over lakeside water. I was calm, no heart pounding or anxiety. I was grateful.
Re Entry
"Take Time"
"Soft and Gentle"
"Get Up Slowly"
"Stretch and Breathe"
"Back to the Earth"
What did I learn? I don't "know."
** Conversation with puppet Daniel Tiger:
"I don't think I can go to school tomorrow."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't know everything..."
** "What is essential in life is invisible to the eyes," Fred Rogers
Crystal Blue: The White Sun
** The next evening, still shrouded in mystery, I saw a TV movie documentary. Scenes, words and emotions rang true and lifted me out of my day/night dream: "Just what I need!."
** "Think about someone who has helped you in some way....for one minute."
Smile
A Dream Like No Other
Related Posts:
Out of Sink
A Strong Clear Vision
The Painted Word
By an Unfaltering Trust, "Deer in the Headlights"
*** Absolute Magic, painting kitten Colby Jack
The Reel World, a high definition visual meditation
Resources:
* Documentary Movie, "Won't You be My Neighbor" ( 2018) the Life and Legacy of Fred Rogers. Quotes appear from the show, PBS.org, Independent Lens Film. Mr. Rogers got his start on WQED, Pittsburgh, PA, the first educational TV station in the USA. A local show called the Children's Corner (early 1950's), later went National on PBS TV with Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. Daniel Tiger, who lived in a clock and was always "on time" was, "paws down" my very favorite character puppet! Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, now a cartoon show on PBSkids.org, still deals with everyday life experiences, joys and challenges.
"I've never been tame," Daniel Tiger
Healing with Pressure Point Therapy Jack Forem and Steve Shimer, L.ac. Use pressure points with caution with guidance from a qualified professional.
Meditation Deepak Chopra, M.D. choprecentermeditation "You are a field of unlimited possibilities."
Tai Chi
Dr. Paul Lam, M.D. Tai Chi for Health worldwide
Music
Across the Universe, The Beatles, Let it Be
Pachebel with Ocean, calming, the frequency of the heart at rest, Pachebel's Canon Relaxation Music Cd
Dahlis Roy: Visionary Artist, Author, and Tai Chi Instructor
Images:
Sky and Ocean, oil painting by Jay Van Shelt (2012) printed with permission. Jay is an artist and Tai Chi Instructor, Art From Sound
The Big Three, oil painting by Dahlis: Angels right to left Joanna, Sharon, and Michelle
Crystal Blue with Cheetah: The White Sun, oil painting by Dahlis
** Painted Lace, oil painting (detail) of painting, Absolute Magic, by Dahlis
