The Conscious Human: Flow With the Elements of Art

Book excerpt: Researcher and educator of the arts Dr. Valerie Flamini is your expert guide for meaningful conscious experiences. Her research in the areas of flow theory and mindfulness revealed ways to foster elevated conscious experiences with the arts. This book may be useful to the typical person who appreciates the arts as well as those who are creators and performers of art. The chapters in this book progress from a novice approach of mindfulness during artistic engagement to activities which require more conscious control and creative output. A variety of activities are included such as sound meditation, crafting, and even cloud gazing! Chapters are rich with examples and context. Da Vinci to the Grateful Dead will inspire meaningful experiences with personalized intention. The idea is for the reader to build skills of conscious control necessary for optimum experiences as they progress through the guide. As a result, the reader may be able to foster flow in everyday activities by exercising the necessary skills in a pleasurable way, through art! Acquiring these skills may bring more enjoyment and general happiness to your everyday experiences. Inside you will discover: ~ Researched skills for bringing more flow to your daily experiences. ~ Engaging narrative about art, architecture, and music including context for indigenous, ancient, and modern artistic practices. ~ Encouraging ways to bring more self-awareness, compassion, conscious control, somatic awareness, and mindfulness to any creative endeavor.