How to Move Past the Mind
Moving past the mind is probably the trickiest concept for people to wrap their heads around in the intuitive process. I think it's something that we make out to be much harder than it is. Learning to hear our intuition is not a mountain we must climb but a river we sink into and know to flow with its current.
Chakragraphs are a co-creative process. You are the one with the body and the beating heart. You put your unique spin on the art that forms on the page; no one can ever truly replicate what you do. Even when the painting is not of us, we are very much a part of it, so know that you will always be present in some form throughout the work. When it comes to decoding what's on the page, we are not only listening to what our intuition is telling us, but we're also using our analytical skills at the same time. So you will always be present throughout the process, but the real trick here is not to let the brain's doubt stop us from what we're doing.
I can't tell you how many times I have been deep in the process of painting, and I think, "This is wrong. This color combination doesn't feel right. I'm not doing this right." I keep painting anyway. I don't stop because I'm scared that I'm going to be wrong. I have to choose to move through the fear. And you know what? It's not wrong, even if we don't understand it at the moment.
I genuinely believe that it's important we create a sacred space of some sort before we begin. Whether it's through prayer, meditating, burning herbs, casting a circle, calling in the directions — whatever feels suitable for you, do that. Not only does this provide a strong, spiritual container to work in, but it helps to prepare the mind to stand back so the heart can have its turn to speak. It empowers us to show up wholly and inspire confidence that our helpers stand with us, even if we don't understand what that looks like yet.
Here are some of the ways I know when I am painting from the heart:
I move from one color to the next without thinking about it
Time seems to escape me
I'm not choosing your colors beforehand. I'm just letting your work naturally unfold
I'm not forcing a specific color or outcome
I feel calm, happy, or content
I "zone out" during the painting stage
I feel open to the outcome
There is no sense of pressure
I get insights quickly floating in and out of your mind about the subject
I'm surprised throughout the process or with the finished painting
I have no idea what you're painting or how in the world you're going to read this
I feel empowered
When I'm painting from the mind, I may:
Think of a reason why to use a color before you lay it down. So, for example, I see lemon yellow in my palette, and I think, "I've been really stressed lately. I'm going to use this color because it shows that"
I am trying to force colors to go in specific places
I feel angry, frustrated, scared, or sad
I am expecting a specific outcome
I am going against what I feel, see, hear, or "know."
I am listening to the thunderous, almost obnoxious voice rather than the softer and more subtle promptings
I feel "flat" or uninspired
I feel unconfident and disempowered
Know that not everyone will have this exact list, but there are elements of it that have stood steadfast for many of my students. When we are in a good, supportive space, we are more inclined to open up and let ourselves experience the moment without judgment, without criticism, and allow the work to form on the page organically.
The act of painting is like forming a prayer and is a beautiful offering to yourself and others you choose to share it with. If you still feel a lot of performance pressure surrounding it, take the interpretation piece out of it for a moment and instead just paint. Practice working with color, come to know and understand the materials. The more comfortable you get, the easier it becomes.
Happy creating!