The Art Of Being

The Art of Being in Conversation

Conversations About Creativity and Mindfulness

We are all creative beings, but how often do you tap into your creativity? Do you often feel as though you have forgotten how to be creative? What would it look like to create with intention? 

In April and May of 2020, we created a short series on IGTV called The Art of Being in Quarantine. It was an effort to bring more creativity into our lives during the onset of the pandemic, as we contemplated what it means to be a human during difficult times. We found that by intentionally making space for creativity in our weeks, we were able to show up more fully in our lives. The prompts are intended to be playful and straightforward, 10-15 minute activities, for you to engage your creative being. 

We wanted to expand this beyond ourselves, so started the monthly series, The Art of Being in Conversation. These conversations are about creating with intention. Each month we will be talking to a featured guest about what it means to them to be creative. Every conversation will dive into that person’s story and creative process and will end with a prompt or activity that you, as the listener, can experiment with to tap into your own creative being. 

If you try out any of the prompts, please tag us on Instagram @artofbeingexperience or use the hashtag #TheArtOfBeingInConversation, so that we can see your creations!

 

Michelle C. Johnson

 
 
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In Conversation with Author, Yoga Teacher, Social Justice Activist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Dismantling Racism Trainer, Michelle Cassandra Johnson

 
 

Michelle C. Johnson is an author, yoga teacher, social justice activist, licensed clinical social worker, and Dismantling Racism trainer. She approaches her life and works from a place of empowerment, embodiment, and integration. With a deep understanding of trauma and its impact on the mind, body, spirit, and heart, much of her work focuses on helping people better understand how power and privilege operate in their lives. Her work is infused with creativity and intention and she is changing people's lives for the better as a result.

Michelle has written two books: Skill in Action and Finding Refuge. Finding Refuge will be released in July 2021! She recently launched a podcast of the same name, where she explores collective grief and liberation with her guests. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so we were thrilled to feature Michelle and her work, as we discussed how our mental health and creativity are intertwined.

 
“There’s learning that needs to happen in response to what we are going through... there’s an opportunity for us to come together in community and look at what happened. How do we feel? How are our hearts at this time? What do we need? How do we move forward? How do we want to move forward? How do we want to be with one another? And I feel like these are really important questions that I want to sit with and I want to invite people to sit with them. Because how we respond now, will determine a lot.”
— MICHELLE C. JOHNSON
 

In conversation…

  • Michelle discusses her relationship with her ancestors and how we can call on ancestors within our creative process. She explains that our ancestors do not need to just come from our own lineage, but we can find them in many ways - including living ancestors. 

  • We talk about the magic that is honey bees and how they have become one of her great teachers.

  • During the conversation, she explains how when she is not consistent about her spiritual practice, it's much harder for her to tap into her creative side. She offers up some ideas on how you can cultivate your own practice.

  • And, we get to hear more about what "refuge" means, where her inspiration for diving into refuge came from, and how it impacts our relationship with creativity. 

  • Lastly, she speaks about how being a creative being is deeply rooted in social justice and liberation, including how grief is deeply connected to our ability to be free. Michelle is thoughtful, insightful, and offers up so many beautiful ways to connect and foster our creative beings. 

We are so excited for you to listen...

 
“If connecting with people in your bloodline does not feel accessible then connect to something in the natural world. Connect to a poem, a piece of art, as I mentioned a teacher, a teaching, a being, an energy - all of these things are ancestors. So I want to invite people into that, and it’s really about noticing signs and then listening and responding.
”
— MICHELLE C. JOHNSON
 
 

WATCH THE VIDEO

music: Beach, musician: Jeff Kaale

LISTEN TO THE AUDIO

music: Beach, musician: Jeff Kaale

 
“...we need to see that everyone is precious and precious enough to come together to be witnessed and to hold others. This is what we need to do if we want to survive. This is what we need to do. We need to understand how sacred every being is and how powerful would it be for us to come together in community and do that. That would shift systems big time. It would dismantle so many things that are wrong and so many things that are causing harm.”
— MICHELLE C. JOHNSON
 

THE CREATIVE PROMPT FROM MICHELLE:

How can my creativity be in service of the collective good?

The options on how you approach this prompt are limitless! You may choose to:

  • Be with it in nature

  • Meet it with movement

  • Draw, paint, or journal with it

  • And/or meditate and let the prompt move through you

It is ultimately your choice, and there is no wrong approach! 

LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE: 

 
Angela CravenThe Art of Being in Conversation