3 Steps to Discover True Self

3 Steps to Discover True Self begin with deep listening. My first rabbit painting long ago was titled Deep Listening. As I went through the decision making process of changing my life and leaving a many years career of teaching art in high schools, I would draw sketches of my pet rabbit, Bunskers. She was aware of every nuance of sound, every change of rhythm in life. Buns had an inner knowledge and intuition that created her life moment to moment. I wanted to live in mindfulness like that, instead of having it all pass in a blur of repetition before my blinking eyes.

So first of all, set up some quiet time, and just listen. Some like instrumental music in the background, others love the sound of Nature to take the inner journey. The important thing is to fill the senses with new sights, sounds, scents, and feels.

Move out of the ordinary to touch the extraordinary.

Walking on a beach always brought me to a new world. The sounds of the waves on the shore, the feel of the sand beneath my feet, the scent of sea salt air was refreshing. But even watching videos of the seashore, and scented candles also brought it home. Shifts would happen inside. This is Inner Work. I breathed deeper, muscles relaxed more, and obsessive thoughts flew away. That’s why I paint lots of beaches. What would get you to that deep place?

Secondly, record your discoveries. Your True Self is not your place in the family, nor what you do. True Self is the essence you brought into this life, and the core that goes with you at the end. It’s the Life Force, growing, learning, and becoming it Self.

Moreover, True Self lives in the Secret Garden. This place is as personal, individual, and unique as each of us. Try sitting comfortably, close your eyes, and with the Guardian Rabbit’s permission, walk into your own inner Secret Garden. The things found there are symbolic of your life today. Go deeper, explore, remember any animal, rock, color, and path that you discover.

The colors of nature, the feelings of something good, or if a creature shows its teeth, all matter. If you have a problem in life, it often shifts when you move the rock off the path, gently move away from the unfriendly creature, and bring the good healing colors back to your world. Record it all in a notebook as soon as you return. This is like a dream and can vanish as quickly.

I do stream of consciousness writing with each major part of the journey. I see where each object, creature, or place takes me. Deeper into the pool I find healing waters with a waterfall. This is a place I return to often. The colors turquoise and magenta show up a lot. I bring them into my art.

Follow every idea to connect to the deeper meaning of each experience.

Finally, 3 Steps to Discover True Self ends with creating a souvenir of the journey. Remind yourself often of all you’ve seen. It can be a new ritual to follow. For example, when you wash you face each morning, feel as though it’s the waters of your sacred pool bringing you wellness throughout your body. Intent is everything.

In addition, you can create art about your discoveries. When you make art in this way, it holds the power of your intentions. The object is filled with meaning, and possesses the feeling of your experiences. Assemble found objects into a wand or sculpture. Paint a picture about the plants, patterns, and colors you saw. This is original art and anything goes! It’s your inner spirit creating from the heart.

Share your experiences below about your Secret Garden. A gate can lead to a castle, cottage, or woodland retreat. Take the journey often, especially at full moon times. The air is crackling with energy.