Art – you don’t have to be good at it to enjoy the process and express yourself.
Without exception, art is for anyone and everyone.
And it’s the perfect creative tool to improve mental health and cultivate spirituality.
But how? What is it about art that is so indefinably transcendent?
What Is Art Therapy, Anyway?
In a nutshell, art therapy is a tool that therapists use to help patients.
It can be utilized for a variety of reasons, such as:
- To encourage self-expression
- To overcome emotional obstacles
- To boost self-confidence
- To cultivate self-reflection
- To de-stress and relax
The benefits of art therapy are many, but what makes it spiritual?
How does practicing art enrich your soul and expand your perspective?
“Everything you can imagine is real.”
– Picasso
Sometimes, the process of creation can feel strangely transcendent.
The world’s noise fades away when you’re locked in the zone. And this applies to every medium, from music to painting. And the end product doesn’t even need to be ‘good’.
It’s all about the process. That’s the beauty of art – anyone can be an artist.
Mind you, art therapy isn’t just for kids. It’s a viable treatment option for adults, too.
So, what are the benefits? Let’s take a closer look.
1 • Art Transcends the Material World
Drawing, painting, or sculpting feels like crossing over to another plane of existence.
It does something to your soul and makes you feel alive.
The experience is similar when observing art. But it’s more meaningful when creating it.
It’s not about how what you create looks. It’s about how it makes you feel.
It’s a gift you give to yourself – and then to the world.
You don’t need to create art often or strive for excellence.
Just be present during the process and let it take you on a spiritual journey.
2 • Creation Is Always Eye-Opening
Practicing art is like standing in front of a mirror and seeing your soul.
You peel away the layers and see through the illusions, one brushstroke at a time.
Little by little, you expand your self-knowledge and learn something new about yourself.
Maybe it helps you process emotions. Or perhaps it renews your love of life.
Either way, creating something, anything, reveals new insights and truths.
Some of these revelations can significantly alter the very course of your life.
It’s not unusual for artists to tap into sacred knowledge beyond ordinary comprehension because art digs into the subconscious mind. It’s there that secrets flow in abundance.
3 • It Can Trigger a Spiritual Awakening
There have been cases where people pick up a brush and paint, seeking an escape.
But it’s not an escape they find. No, it’s something much more impactful.
Many souls have awakened to a greater truth through art.
For some, standing in front of a Raphael, a Rembrandt, or a Dalí sets it into motion.
But for others, it’s through creation itself that they find their innermost purpose.
So, be prepared if that door opens up and invites you in.
Sure, it may be a means to unwind, but art can develop into something much greater.
4 • Art Can Declutter the Mind, Purify It
For overthinkers, art is medicine and often the solution.
Having so many thoughts all the time can feel cumbersome. But self-expression is a more than viable way to reduce the load. It declutters the mind and paves the way to clarity.
Art therapy can help you regain control over your mind – your thoughts.
And, of course, establishing stability within the mind is essential for spiritual growth.
So, it’s not just a way to reduce stress and anxiety (though it helps with that, too).
It’s a tried and tested way to sharpen the mind and build mental fortitude.
5 • It Helps Balance Your Energies
Within every work of art reside emotions, thoughts, and essence. Someone’s lifeblood.
Even when artists create disruptive and grotesque pieces, it’s still rhythm. It’s life.
But, usually, every great work of art radiates balance and harmony.
It’s up to you what you want to create, really. But in art therapy, it’s best to aim for a soul-soothing creation. Something that heals your pain. Something that makes you feel alive.
That way, you can balance your inner energies and restore order within.
6 • It’s an Inner Process
Inner work is always spiritual, but art takes you on a whole new journey.
Creating something by tapping into your feelings, thoughts, and imagination is inevitably a transformative process. It changes you. And, usually, it changes you in a big way.
It’s not about what you create, either.
You can paint a landscape or draw a portrait – it doesn’t matter.
Spirituality lies within the creation process itself.
7 • Art Helps You Process Your Current State
How you feel determines how you approach creation.
Let’s say you’ve picked up a brush and decided to paint.
If you’re angry, your brushstrokes will inevitably be rash and erratic.
Now, you may feel the urge to resist this – but don’t. Let it pull you in. Art is a great tool for self-expression. It allows emotions to flow without harming anyone in the process.
Let it all out because otherwise your emotions may remain suppressed.
Through art, you can remove these energy blockades and find inner peace.
Painting and writing – these are two passions that I have been perfecting for a decade.