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Alchemy
Christ gave us a test for telling high vibrations from low ones. In any situation, ask: “Do you see the fruits of the Spirit, or the fruits of the flesh?”
The first formal piece of art I ever made was in a high school art class — a calligraphy pen on parchment paper, lettering out those Bible verses. I gave the finished piece to my mom as a gift.
It’s an amazing test. If you want to know where someone is coming from when they speak or act, ask: “Is this coming from love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control? Or is it coming from anger, fear, envy, strife, pride?” It’s how I’m trying to handle my politics, for one. And how I’m attempting to handle the things I do and the words that come out of MY mouth. (Emphasis on attempting.)
Author David R. Hawkins describes a similar ladder in his book Power vs. Force. His “energy levels” start at the bottom with shame and climb through guilt, apathy, grief, fear, desire, anger, pride, courage, neutrality, willingness, acceptance, reason, love, joy, peace, and finally enlightenment. A full spectrum. The game is to climb. The book’s tagline: “The Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior.” No kidding. Two very different sources, and they’re drawing the same map.
This is the second painting where I started to use words as visual components. I was compelled to. Go figure. Being an artist always takes you in interesting directions.
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