Guest Post by Douglas Walker: Painting is a technology of consciousness

“Mahalakshmi,” oil, 60”x60” —by Douglas Walker

When I first took up painting a few years ago, it didn't take long to realize that it was much more than creating a beautiful picture. Like other forms of creativity, painting is a technology of consciousness, both for the artist and for the viewer.

As any artist or musician knows, the creative process works best when the ego steps aside and allows the higher Self to take control. And any time you do this, it leads to the growth of higher consciousness.



Painting the devata value

The great spiritual teacher Maharishi Mahesh Yogi once said that real art is painting the Devas, and everything else is just painting one's stress. The Devas are commonly understood to be the Vedic Gods. But Maharishi used a broader meaning. He described the

"Willow and Tangelos,” oil, 15"x30” —by Wendy Higgins

Devas as those values of intelligence that govern the various laws of nature. So I don’t think he just meant painting the Vedic Gods, but painting the devata value, or divine inner intelligence, of any person, object, or scene.


A fellow artist in Santa Fe, Wendy Higgins, creates the most beautiful still life paintings. What makes them so wonderful is that Wendy is able to capture the Divine Intelligence in the object. The flowers, the fruit, the vases — each object radiates Light. When you look at her paintings you don't just see the flower or the pot, you see Beauty.

Wendy says, “For me there's a universal quality to the beauty I see. And if I can open someone's eyes to that beauty, consciously or not, that opens their heart. I am, in a sense, worshipping the beauty I see and falling deeper and deeper in love with that which I feel is an expression of our source."

Moving Wholeness into the point

The essential nature of each of us is infinite, divine Wholeness. When the ego steps aside, that inner divine Light is able to make an appearance. When the painter allows his or her awareness to favor the Wholeness, then every brush stroke brings a taste of Wholeness to the canvas. The inner Silence, the divine Presence, which is usually hidden from view, is displayed for everyone to see.

“Face East & Pray to Your Ancestors 1,” pastel, 15”x22” —by Anastasia Hurlin

Anastasia Hurlin is able to do this in her incredible figurative paintings. She says, “In my own work I strive for wholeness. I mirror the empowered woman through my art, bringing out her inherent beauty and integrity. I acknowledge our common power, our passion, our shakti. I find my true center in the presence of divinely engaged women. Immersed in this 'texture', I paint.”

When someone stands in front of such a painting, the divine Wholeness is “stirred” in that person. The painting helps that person to recognize, even for a moment, his or her own divine nature.

Bringing Silence (Presence) to the surface
 
For the artist that favors Wholeness, the act of painting becomes a technology of transformation. It's like meditation, where repeated exposure to inner Silence cultures the nervous system to be able to support that Silence even during activity. Painting so that Wholeness moves through the brush onto the canvas alters the nervous system and makes one capable of sustaining a heightened awareness throughout the day. It transforms the nervous system to support more Wholeness.

“Bairava,” oil, 16”x12” —by Douglas Walker

Seeing Beauty

Painting in this way changes the way you see the world. Painting from the level of Wholeness allows you to recognize Wholeness in others and in your environment. Even people or objects that previously seemed distasteful are now seen as windows to the Divine.

It is said that what you put your attention on grows stronger. While painting your stress can be cathartic, I shudder to think of the effect it has on the viewer, and on the painter’s life. When you put your attention on the inner divine Wholeness as you paint, then divine Light becomes stronger in every aspect of your life.

The Divine is present everywhere. Bring that Presence into your paintings, and your appreciation of everyone and everything will flourish.






Author Douglas Walker was born and grew up in Vancouver, Canada. He presently lives with his wife Nancy in Santa Fe, New Mexico. His paintings include unique representations of Vedic gods along with depictions of the relationship between the human physiology and the Divine.

Douglas was gifted with the ability to paint late in life following a meditation experience of Divine Mother dancing in his heart lotus. Many who view his work report inner spiritual transformation and energetic healing.

According to Douglas, “Divine Mother is the artist. I just try to be alert to what She is telling me, and not get in the way. The less the ego is involved, the better I can express Her Light and Silence in my paintings. And of course, it helps to keep improving my painting skills.”



You can see his work at www.artofmahadevi.com
Contact Doug at devipainter@gmail.com

Other links

Wendy Higgins – www.greenbergfineart.com/artists/higgins/index.html
Anastasia Hurlin – www.anastasiafineart.com