The transition from dream state to awake state was so natural.

The momentum of the dream continued as  I remembered that I was reaching for something before I woke up. It was a purple sphere about the size of a soft ball. In the dream it symbolized the earth, and I knew that if I touched it – it would open up like a flower!

This dream left me in a state of great happiness …

I got out of bed – I knew exactly what  the day would bring – a chance at winning a large sum of money from a sweep-stake drawing I entered back in March of 2010.  I was curious and yes excited about what was going to happen…

I did not win the grand prize – but the lesson I learned at the end of the day was priceless.

This dream woke me up to a simple but important learning -  It is a great thing to have something(s) to be happy about.

There is this saying I learned in my Zen practice “There is no way to Happiness – Happiness is the way” and I would paraphrase that “Foster and nurture your happiness, for it lives as you live”

My art is so intertwined with my other arts. My teaching meditation, martial arts,  the coaching in NLP, hypnosis, and my spiritual paths – make me whole and congruent – and therefore sustain and protect the happiness that is inside me.

The Drawing above is titled “Within – Reach” and is from the Series of artwork  titled “Creating Out of Boxes” – a work in progress …

I live near the southern tip of California, and it can be hot at least 4 months out of the year. I live in a chaparral, low-line forest, at the bottom of a mountain in a small canyon verging on grassland that was once prairie land. The trees here reflect the dry climate, growing mostly underground with large tap roots in order to find the resources of water available deep in the ground below.  One of the most beloved chaparral trees in these forests is the Manzanita tree; it’s fire red bark is smooth, and the lime green leaves turn on edge as they follow the sun. The seed’s of the Manzanita crack open and germinate only when there is a great force of heat, like fire or lightening strikes. Many of the plants in this magical environment are on a burn cycle of between 25 – 100 years. After a fire, these beautiful plants, trees, and flowers rise up out of the ashes and display themselves fully, like out of a ‘seemingly’ long sleep…

The picture above is a drawing – Graphite on Board and is from my series of Art titled “Creating out of boxes” and it is called “Out of the dream”

The above drawing was a work in progress over a five year period. It was a meditation with no immediate goal to finish it. It was more than a creative process it turned into a healing for me.

I was inspired to create this piece by my work teaching meditation in the Central Juvenile Justice Prison in downtown Los Angeles. Once  a week for over two and a half years I worked in the various holding chambers for youth from ages 8 to 17. There wasn’t a place in that institution I had not visited or taught in. The stories I could tell would disarm the prejudices you might have about these young people. I remember going into the institution with energy and compassion and driving away from it with tears streaming down my face.

This drawing was a way for me to pour my frustration, anger, and hopelessness into the drawing, so that I could continue working in these institutions with energy, determination, awareness and compassion.

Bleak as it may seem, this drawing has some light streaming in from the back ground, a turning of events. There is a dragonfly at the bottom right, which is the symbol of courage and fearlessness.

I met a boy who was only eight years old at one of my classes at the Juvenile prison. He had been bounced around in the foster care system, and was used by the older boys, because of his age, to run illegal errands. There was no other place for him in the system so he was put into juvenile prison. I met him in the “CD” unit which was for the youngest boys, and is a protection unit. It was furnished like a school classroom, and it was where I taught meditation. I was particularly drawn to this young boy as he was clearly soaking up the guided relaxations and meditations I was teaching that day, and seemed to be enjoying the class more than the others. He was glued to me, and was constantly asking questions about meditation. He was beaming, serene and peaceful, when I left.

I was told later that he was put in my class because he attempted suicide the day before. His story and others create the light emerging out of the darkness that is in the background of this image, that came later in my process.

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The title of this piece is taken from Dante’s inferno, “In the middle of my journey I came upon a dark forest.” It is a drawing -  pencil on paper  22″ x 30.”

There are signed prints online available 13″ x 19″ that can be purchased on line by requesting it in the description box – even though it is not shown in the on line store. You can shorten the title in the description box.

We all have profoundly powerful inner resources. However, sometimes we do not realize them fully until we are challenged.

Where I live is a tree called Manzanita, beautiful red smooth bark and oval shaped lime green leaves. It’s seeds can only be opened up by fire or a lightning strike to the ground, only then is it possible for a tree to be created. Poet Gary Snyder talks about the speed and agility in the flanks of the deer, as a direct result of the wolf that preys upon him.

Art and the creative process is sometimes like this – the most beautiful things blossom and come out of the most challenging circumstances. My art often depicts people in the context of overcoming great odds, calling forth their inner most resources to do this. In my creative coaching and hypnotherapy work I help people access their inner most capacity for  healing, change and growth.

There is a story told of a great Tea master in Japan, who had been challenged to a duel by a Samurai warrior, who too was a master, in swordsmanship.

In these times it was not hard to insult a Samurai, a simple brush by shoulder or a bump in passing would be viewed as disrespect, and would be cause to challenge someone to a duel.

The tea master had only one week to the duel, and he was not up to the challenge, knowing nothing of the art of sword. He sought out a teacher going to the finest school of sword in the province. Telling of his predicament he convinced the teacher to help him. Day and night they worked hard and long fencing. Even though the tea master gave his all in the training it was of no use, he was just not a swordsman. The tea master new he was doomed and in a final plea said to the teacher, what am I to do now. I cannot win this man in sword, and I will lose my life.

The teacher looked resigned, and then said to him, you are the greatest tea master in the land,  are you not. There is no match for you when you are serving tea. The Master of Tea said, yes. The teacher then said, tomorrow morning I want you to go to the duel and present yourself to this Samurai, look him straight in the eyes like you are about to serve him tea, with the all the confidence of your craft. That is the only way you have to match him.

The Tea Master did just as the teacher said, and to his surprise the Samurai bowed deeply and said, I have met my match, and left.

Life’s challenges can be met creatively and we can rise to greater levels of awareness and potential.

The above image is part of a triptych, oil painting 6″ x 6″ each, titled “Hijab.”

Prints of my art are available on this Blog. Original artwork for sale, contact Michele at mbm@fivechanges.org or by cell (310) 339-3531