16 April 12 Circling

"Circling" Copyright Lauren T. Meyer 2016

I was heading into the YMCA when I saw a close friend.  She invited me to join her for a "Circling" get together.   I had never heard of it, yet she glowed as she spoke  and I figured I'd skip a swim and experience something  different. And it was unlike anything I'd experienced before.  There were about 30 people in a large living room  already sitting on various chairs in a circle.   One  person volunteers to be questioned.  They answer  while trying to stay present with themselves without  going off into explanation or story.   Every word matters. The challenge is to experience this moment and  acknowledge, name, and share feelings that come  up while relating to another... waaay harder than it seems, and so Berkeley.

A Gift of Reflection: Essential Wafers

Balance Dark and Light.  2016 Copyright Lauren T. Meyer

I have wonderful exchanges with people who see my art, and I want to share their reflections with others who enjoy my imagery. Tonight at Dance Jam Berkeley I took 3 paintings and taped them to the wall behind the check-in table.

I also put a bowl of "Essence Wafers" to select from before one stepped into the dance room.

The Essence Wafers are 2" dia watercolor paintings.  They reflect peoples essence back to them.  I asked what they want to call into their lives in the new year.  A woman told me "articulation" and I ask her how that would feel and she says,  she wanted to feel in the flow intensely, so I wrote "Acuity" on her wafer.  When asked about the coming year, a man said he wants to bring compassion to the world through music.  I wrote "Ignite Intention" on his wafer.  Reading that surprised him and his face lit up thinking about it that way.  It was a lot of fun. I AM an artist and have "Permission" (what I wrote on my wafer) to be as big in the world as I care to be.