The Art of Observation and Experience

Authors

Andrée Salom, Universidad de los Andes

DOI

https://doi.org/10.24972/ijts.2015.34.1-2.103

Abstract

Mindfulness practices aim to develop intentional awareness of the present moment. This paper touches on two of the difficulties that may arise in the course of such practice. On the one hand, the present moment may be overwhelming if there is an over-identification with the content that the practices uncover. On the other hand, the present moment may seem excessively foreign if there is an over-identification with the witnessing of such content. Art can prevent an over-identification on both poles of this equation by acting as a container for content, a source of somatic discharge, and a facilitator for observing relationships with images, art processes, oneself and others. Because art embraces both content and the observation of content, it is ideal for witnessing-experiencing.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Salom, A. (2015). Salom, A. (2015). The art of observation and experience. International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 34(1-2), 103–110.. International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 34 (1). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.24972/ijts.2015.34.1-2.103