Meditation Preparation

"CONCENTRATION MEDITATION"

Inner IDEA http://www.gaiam.com/discover/158/article/meditation-101-techniques-benefits-and-a-beginners-how-to

"Concentration meditation involves focusing on a single point. This could entail following the breath, repeating a single word or mantra, staring at a candle flame, listening to a repetitive gong, or counting beads on a mala. Since focusing the mind is challenging, a beginner might meditate for only a few minutes and then work up to longer durations.

"In this form of meditation, you simply refocus your awareness on the chosen object of attention each time you notice your mind wandering. Rather than pursuing random thoughts, you simply let them go. Through this process, your ability to concentrate improves.

"MINDFULNESS MEDITATION

"Mindfulness meditation encourages the practitioner to observe wandering thoughts as they drift through the mind. The intention is not to get involved with the thoughts or to judge them, but simply to be aware of each mental note as it arises.

"Through mindfulness meditation, you can see how your thoughts and feelings tend to move in particular patterns. Over time, you can become more aware of the human tendency to quickly judge an experience as good or bad, pleasant or unpleasant. With practice, an inner balance develops."

"HOW TO PRACTICE WALKING MEDITATION"

Thich Nhat Hanh

http://www.gaiam.com/discover/296/article/mindful-just-breathing-walking/

"Walking meditation is a way to practice moving without a goal or intention. Mindful walking simply means walking while being aware of each step and of our breath. It can be practiced anywhere, whether you are alone in nature or with others in a crowded city. You can even practice mindful breathing and walking meditation in between business appointments or in the parking lot of the supermarket.

"Walking on this planet is a joy. Mindful walking allows us to be aware of the pleasure of walking. We can keep our steps slow, relaxed, and calm. There is no rush, no place to get to, no hurry. Mindful walking can release our sorrows and our worries and help bring peace into our body and mind.

"We can practice walking meditation alone, with another person, or with a group. Placing our footsteps one after the other slowly and in silence, we can create joy with each step. If we take steps without anxiety, in peace and joy, then we will cause a flower to bloom on the earth with every step." 

Curriculum Sketch I: Figure

T H E E X P E R I E N C E O F B O D Y :
S E N S E S

E N D U R I N G   I D E A

P e r s p e c t i v e

Q U E S T I O N S

• How does our body influence how we experience things?
• How do our senses influence our experience?
• Disabilities: Do they really "handicap" people as much as we might think?
• Sense: How does what we see influence what we expect?
• connects with observational drawing, drawing what we see as opposed to what is.

R A T I O N A L E

Perspective influences interpretation.

When we recognize our perspective we can better understand our interpretation.

L E A R N I N G   G O A L S

• Students will recognize how their perspective (i.e. physical experience: height, weight, ability, smell, touch, etc.) influences their experience (i.e. memories).

• VA:Cr1.2.Ia: Shape an artistic investigation of an aspect of present day life using a contemporary practice of art
• VA:Cr1.2.IIa: Choose from a range of materials and methods of traditional and contemporary artistic practices to plan works of art
• VA:Cr2.1.IIIa: Experiment, plan, and make multiple works of art and design that explore a personally meaningful theme, idea, or concept.

K N O W L E D G E

• Art about the figure: figure drawing, painting, sculpture, anatomy illustration
• Art that includes the figure: Fashion illustration, graphic novels, animation, illustration
• Art using the body to be made  

  
How does watching an artwork be made change your opinion of it?

• Art that uses other senses
• http://katiepaterson.org/candle/

How could smelling what it would be like to go through space change what you think about space travel?

• Interdisciplinary:  
• Social: The idea of the single story
• Psychological ideas/concepts: Synesthesia

A C T I V I T I E S

• Figure drawing from unusual perspectives. How does your angle change the object?
• Figure drawing with unusual materials (sticks and ink, dirt, food, etc.)
• Figure sculpture with found objects.
• Seeing figure and face everywhere: Pareidolia. Look around. What faces do you see? Draw them and write short story about who they are.

• Jogging memories: take a walk outside focusing on what we smell and what we are reminded of. Write it down. The Power of Smell
• At an art museum: what memories do you experience at the museum? Write/sketch down.
• Are there certain songs that remind you of certain things/events/people?

B I G   P R O J E C T

Create a figural work (Drawing, sculpture/installation, painting) that incorporates another sense (sound, smell, touch) for the viewer to experience the work.