“The mind creates the abyss, the heart crosses it.” Nisargadatta
Discover freedom to explore, express, and play!
"Maghi's compassion and sensitivity as a teacher creates a safe, non-judgmental space to explore and push through narrow boundaries that can limit creativity. Her encouragement to move past negative ideas and judgments helped me to discover more spontaneity, freedom, and joy in my painting." - Angela S., San Francisco, CA
"I totally loved having support for letting creativity speak through me. Maghi provided principles, relaxed guidance, yummy materials, and space to play in." ~ Kristin M.
Maghi Thurlow RMT has facilitated body/mind/heart health for 30 years as a CranioSacral Therapist. When she began to study Point Zero Process Painting with Michele Cassou in the early 1990’s, she discovered the healing power of creativity and feels passionate about sharing this unique tool for self-exploration and self-connection.
maghi@deeplycalm.com 831 425-3109
Paint, Process, and Presence by Maghi Thurlow RMT
“The mind creates the abyss, the heart crosses it.” This quote from Nisargadatta speaks to the essence of my connection with process painting.
I came to process painting with a mind that offered many judgments and rules about how the results of painting should look. Like most of us, I had been trained as a child to make a product in art that conformed to accepted ideas of beauty and meaning. I learned to control my creativity so that it would meet these artificial standards.
As a child, I received much appreciation for the artistic skills I developed and yet as an adult seeking inner growth, I felt very limited when attempting to be creative.
In my 40’s, I was involved in a therapeutic process that involved producing a drawing after a deep session of inward journeying. Within the free-flowing open state after these sessions I felt frustrated as I sensed the contrast of how restricted my thinking still was around creating an image.
Then, I had the good fortune of seeing a video about a process painting technique created by Michele Cassou.* In the video, I heard her speak about freedom of expression, authentic creativity, and connection to the essential self. I was hooked. This seemed like the answer to my creative block, and it was.
As I studied with Michele, I joyfully found myself freely expressing material that I had no idea was within me. My heart was crossing the abyss my mind had created. I felt cleansed and lightened. Some of my happiest and richest memories are of being immersed in the flow of creative energy that I have experienced in process painting workshops.
As I deepen my practice of process painting, I find there are many layers of learning and growth. My mind still wants to take control sometimes and I can now more easily recognize its activity and choose another path.
I notice that engagement in process painting activates movement in other areas of my life, stimulating change on inner and outer levels, supporting the personal growth that leads to greater self-connection, empowerment, heart opening, joy, and fun.
Approaching painting as a process – rather than focusing on the product - can help us learn to live from a state of presence that bypasses our mind’s opinions, judgments, and limitations. We are then free to explore, express, and enjoy the creative life force that moves through us and can transform our lives.
"For many years I've been telling myself I'm not an artist and I'm not creative, so every time I've attempted to paint, the critical voice has turned it into an unpleasant experience. Painting under Maghi's gentle guidance, I was able to release that voice and just be free to connect with my own source of inspiration without judgment or criticism. With the emphasis on the process, I could let go of outcome and just be with the paper and paint. Thank you Maghi for helping me get out of my own way." - Christine K.
“It was such pleasure to be letting the paint and brushes determine what to do, instead of listening to the torturous litany of instructions that can sometimes be in my head when "doing art". Thank you Maghi for your soft and caring guidance, for creating such a fruitful space for listening in.” - Kristin M.
"I was at first surprised by the process since it is so different from other art projects that I have done. In the end, I found it freeing to not have the need to judge or analyze the work but just let it be. Thanks for the experience." - Heidi
"My process painting experience still lives with me. The memory is in my body of freedom, peace, and joy. Thank you Maghi for this new and fresh relationship I have with paint, color, and myself!" – Jean M.
