Course Description

Dharma Art refers to art that springs from a certain state of mind that could be called the meditative state. It is an attitude of directness and ego-less consciousness in which an artist is connected to natures everlasting flow of creation.

This program will offer a series of meditation-based practices that explore perception, creativity, composition and collaboration. Although some of these practices involve visual art, most will involve embodiment and the arts-based social change methodology, Social Presencing Theater. 

The online course consists of two modules of three 120-minute sessions each via Zoom at 9 am EST/ 3 pm CET:

• Dharma Art online - Module 1 

  1. Coming To Our Senses (February 21, 2025)
     invites us to explore our sense perceptions — experiencing the world without  preconceptions and conventional interpretations. We invoke fresh connections with our phenomenal world. 

  2. Art In Everyday Life (March 28, 2022)
     is an invitation to see our life as an ongoing creative process. Everyday we co-create our homes, families, teams at work, and communities. We explore our individual and collective creative potential in our ordinary activities. 

  3. Appreciating Things As They Are (May 2, 2025)
     brings our attention to the sacredness in every moment. We see the beauty in our life in the midst of the challenges and struggles.
     
     

• Dharma Art online - Module 2 (previous participation in Module 1 is recommended)

  1. The Limitations of Self Expression (September, 2025)
     are clearly noticed and dissolved by meditation and by allowing expression to arise from simplicity and the present moment. 

  2. Discipline and Spontaneity (October, 2025)
     invites us to investigate the ground of freedom and open space with no obstacles out of which genuine art can arise.. 

  3. Heaven, Earth, and Human (November, 2025)
     are experienced as space, form, and energy—the elements of creativity. We will engage in the creative process using these principles.

We invite artists, art teachers, innovators, and all humans who have prior exposure to art and mindfulness-based practices.

The course will be held in English. 

Trungpa Rinpoche gave teachings on dharma art as a vehicle to explore the playfulness and naturalness of the phenomenal world. Suggested reading: True Perception, the Path of Dharma Art by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. 

In below video Arawana explains some of the basic elements of Dharma Art and this course.