Try Musical Painting with La cathédrale engloutie
Inner vision for self discovery
In my previous post on Van Gogh, I talked about how art is a mirror for the soul. And to be clear, when I talk about art I mean any creation. Because we are constantly creating—even in thinking about our day, our parents, etc. This is the first step of thinking taking form.
Most of us have had an experience where we sit down and paint without any constraints, not knowing where things are headed at first, but then reaching a point where somehow we automatically know when it’s done. There is nothing more that could be added or removed. How could this be? Well, one thing is clear to me—that what is on the inside has been found on the outside.
We can do this more easily with writing. And with writing, what comes out requires no interpretation. So let’s combine this practice with music from Claude Debussy’s La cathédrale engloutie and see what we discover about ourselves.
I’ll share my own inner vision with you below, but I encourage you to take a few deep breaths and try yourself first.
So take out a piece of paper and a pen or start a new google doc if that’s easier, and start writing 10 seconds after you hit play on the song right here.
Just open yourself to the possibility that there is something beyond what you hear, and wait for what it is. It may be a visual. But it could also be a feeling. Allow it to expand. And it will speak.
Do not interrupt anything that you notice. That will break your flow. Give it space and allow it to lead you. Continue writing once you start, without breaks. And please let me know what you put down!
I’ll share what comes up for me below, but please try yourself before reading on.
A beautiful angel walking in the clouds, along clear glass pathways, opening up into other clear glass pathways. Exploring the clouds, creating new steps as she goes. Unsure of where she’s headed. But everywhere she steps, a new pathway opens up in front of her. She realizes the beauty in her movement. Feeling so connected to her surroundings that she is in heaven. Or she must be at least. It is almost better, because every step is synchronized to what appears in front of her. Even though she does not know what will appear next. What a good feeling. To be so connected to all that exists that you can move forward with grace into the unknown. The power of steps is immaculate. Divine. She slows down to feel. And looks around at all that she’s created. The pathways go up and down, through a magic kingdom of sorts. It is more profound than she could ever imagine. There is no consistent direction, and yet her paths seem so natural. As the clouds begin to fade, she sees even more of this heavenly kingdom that appeared with each step. She is in awe of everything behind her. It does not matter where she goes, or where she’s going. It only matters that she is in tune with each step.
On what this has to do with me, I will say that there is much here!
I have no idea where I’m going with many things in my life, but I do know that I am called to them and compelled to follow them. And in truth it has always been this way, but for years I fought it.
Now I have no problem stepping into the unknown. In fact, I enjoy it. A lot. Because I always know a next step will appear when I do not force it. And every once and awhile, I remember to look up and see all the beauty that surrounds me.