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

To express fully, to translate an idea, to express creatively, to unlock potential, to heal the past, to unlearn limiting beliefs and change unwanted behaviors, all with the power of the imagination. Imagine that!

This will be the the context for the “Art and Soul” weekend at Manzanita Village Retreat Center in Southern California. and the evening and daylong workshops in the Santa Monica and the Los Angeles area. Participants will individually and as a group explore their creativity through the means of the  visual arts, and through learning meditation skills, guided imagery and with the aid of process work that comes from Hypnosis and NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programing) remove any blocks and open to a more creative, free expression.

This weekend is co-lead by Michele Benzamin-Miki and Tabitha Fronk,  both dedicated to the arts and creative expression with backgrounds in transformational and healing work; our combined tools are meditation, art therapy, hypnosis, NLP, and performance coaching.

For more information Michele can be reached directly at mbm@fivechanges.org or (310) 339-3531 for any questions.

The above image is titled “This” it is Sumie and Inks on watercolor paper. All of my original art is for sale by contacting me directly or through the galleries listed on this blog, and prints can be bought online by clicking on the image bar above the pages titled “Backbone” or “Piece of Mind Kids.”