Art Therapy for Introspection

Forms of introspection in the art book

From what to build your own life, what important foundations in it will provide a holistic feeling of yourself and others in this cruel and real World? Many of our clients seek these answers when they come to counseling during an existential crisis. I suggest you explore this with the help of 8 pages of art book. Only 8 pages of creative search will answer the question of who I am and what I need in life. I will not hide, this is an unconditional challenge, first of all, to myself.

So what are these pages?

Page 1. Compassion. Try to find visual images and perhaps even describe feelings in metaphors that denote such purely human moral qualities as sympathy and empathy. They cannot be faked, and they are from the heart. By learning these important skills, we find the way to our own heart and, as a result, the virtues that all cultures and religions consider life-affirming foundations of being.

Page 2. Conscience. They say conscience is the voice of God within us. Try to hear and depict in images what it is for you. Conscience is a qualitative form of self-control, which allows us to avoid internal chaos and destruction. It is interesting in what images you will find your conscience and be able to fit it into the pages of an art book. Conscience as the original moral impulse is innate, but due to external influence it can develop or die out. Images in an art book will help draw attention to important aspects of inner peace.

Page 3. Justice. A very personal notion of having an unbiased, impartial attitude towards someone. Hume believed that rules and norms arise in society to solve the inevitable utilitarian task of non-violent reconciliation of divergent interests. Justice is the maintenance of order and stability through this balance of interests. What does it mean to you, how does this complex Platonic philosophical concept look to you? The art book will show.

Page 4. Perfection. An even more vague concept in the modern world. How will it present itself and reveal its secrets in your understanding? This is a certain highest standard, look how beautiful the synonymous series of this concept is: absolute, impeccability, impeccability, the crown of creation, the height of perfection, completeness, ideal, infallibility. It is very interesting what forms perfection will take in the visual format of each of us.

Page 5. Cooperation. Here it will definitely be where to turn around: with whom, where to cooperate. In psychology, it is customary to distinguish two main types of interaction in society: cooperation and rivalry. At all times, mankind has sought to establish a mutually beneficial relationship, which is a solid foundation for the rapid and successful development of society. The images that will appear will allow you to look very deeply into yourself and understand what it means to cooperate.

Page 6. Consciousness. The ability to understand reality, to see opportunities and dangers is the main quality of the human mind. This is an amazing ability to explore your intentions, to describe your desires and intentions. It is often interpreted as the concept of free will, understood as the possibility of a conscious decision. The formation and mixing of images of this structure, as in a mirror, will reflect internal projections, and here unconditional honesty will become the best friend for awareness.

Page 7. Self respect. An interesting category that, by default, destroys such phenomena as self-sacrifice and self-depreciation. Treating yourself as the highest value. A self-respecting person does not allow himself to be dependent and weak, does not question his abilities and rights to manage his life, to provide for his needs. A self-respecting person is very difficult to bend or destroy, because he protects his integrity. He considers his mental integrity the most important thing in life, no less important than physical integrity. In the pages of the art book there will be a unique opportunity to consider what it is for each of us. How self-respect leads to self-sufficiency and self-realization.

Page 8. Creation. The creator does not destroy. This is an important procedural characteristic of being. Creative activity is the creation that leads to the emergence of something more valuable than before. Creation is different from creativity. Creation – making from nothing, for the benefit of oneself and others. This is perhaps the highest task of man.

 

Here is a list of art-book pages I want to offer for existential introspection in creativity. A complex, unpopular, sometimes conflicting, but very expanding process for those who yearn to meet themselves, not with a cover of social programming, but with a true, naked spiritual Self.

Here are some alternative options for exploring these concepts if the form of self-expression through an art book is complex and incomprehensible:

Option 1. “Spontaneous Drawings”. As an alternative, you can use the structure of visualization of these categories of self-knowledge in the format of a spontaneous drawing, which will also provide the art therapist with excellent material for further work with the client.

Option 2. “Method Pots +”. We suggest choosing pots that correspond to each of the concepts, and put something in there that matches this image. After the received metaphorical layout – to analyze the received material. You can learn more about the methodology on the course:

 

Victoria Nazarevich, 2019 ©