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“What art offers is space – a certain breathing room for the spirit.”
~John Updike
Guido Reni
It has been said that art expresses what words can not.
A recent study conducted by Professor Semir Zeki, chair of neuroaesthetics at University College London, aims to scientifically validate the importance of art and it’s contribution to our experience of love and pleasure.
In a series of groundbreaking experiments using MRI scans to measure the blood flow in the medial orbitofrontal cortex, the part of the brain associated with pleasure and desire, Zeki found,
“When you look at art – whether it is a landscape, a still life, an abstract or a portrait – there is strong activity in that part of the brain related to pleasure.
“The blood flow increased for a beautiful painting just as it increases when you look at somebody you love. It tells us art induces a feel good sensation direct to the brain.”
Twenty-eight paintings were shown in quick succession to individuals who had very little previous knowledge or understanding of art. The artworks they considered most beautiful increased blood flow in the brain by 10 per cent – the equivalent to gazing at a loved one:
Metaphysics views art as an essential aspect of our spiritual development. As reflections of the Divine we are inherently creative – we come from the very source of creation itself. Expressing, cultivating, developing and sharing our creativity is key to living a well lived life.
Dimitri Moraitis, a gifted teacher and metaphysician shares,
“As children of God we are inherently creative. Expressing your creativity is an essential part of who you are. It enhances your ability to think, to imagine, and to communicate. If you are not expressing your creativity, a huge part of life is missed.”
According to Barbara Y. Martin, an international known author and teacher on the aura and metaphysics, there is an entire division in the aura dedicated to creativity,
“The magnetic division of the aura comes through is a beautiful electric or peacock blue,” says martin. “The more pronounced this energy is the strong developed the talent. As a person develops their creative skills this energy brightens. The key is to use your creative power, otherwise that creative power can fade over time and this division can become dull.”
Expressing creativity connects us to god. Creating and appreciating art inspires with us the grandeur and beauty of life , and balances other important aspects, such as science and technology. Truly, we are our own masterpieces.
*article by staff writer, Jaqueline Marie
*source: The Telegraph.co.uk
*painting: John Constable
We’re On The Move to Realizing Our New Teaching Center!
Dear Spiritual Arts Family & Friends,
We’d like to extend our sincerest gratitude to all who have supported Spiritual Arts Institute (SAI) in 2011. With the publication of Karma and Reincarnation, we have been traveling the country sharing its eye-opening message. Many people shared how they now understand the importance of karma in their lives and spiritual growth. Now we need to keep SAI growing!
In 2012, SAI is taking the next step forward in its vision plan to fully establish SAI as a premier metaphysical training center. Our goals for 2012 include:
- Initiating the second phase of the SAI marketing/PR campaign
- Implementing new training classes in Santa Monica, CA.
- Preparing our next book, Communing with the Divine, for publication in 2013. Barbara Y. Martin shares her clairvoyant experiences with the spiritual hierarchy and how we can work more intimately with the Divine.
- Starting a comprehensive webinar/workshop program to outreach to new students world-wide.
We must raise $24,000 by December 31, 2011 to fulfill our fiscal responsibilities for the year and lay the ground work for 2012. Several gifts have been donated by our members to recognize the generosity of our fund drive donors.
- For the a donation of $250 or more
, you will receive an archival CD of Barbara Y. Martin’s Are You Still On the Spiritual Merry-Go-Round?
- For a donation of $75, you will receive an original Jan Van Ek “Sleeping Angel” sculpture cast in acrylic resin ($75 value)
- The top donor will receive an original portrait sculpture of yourself by artist Mandi Tucker ($600 value)
You can click here to donate securely online
Click here to download a contribution form to print and mail
Or to donate by phone, please call Spiritual Arts Institute at
1-800-650-AURA (2872)
Please consider making a one-time or monthly donation. In these challenging times, your contribution is most appreciated – and as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit financial contributions are tax deductible. Help others reach their spiritual potential.
Please act now!
In divine light and love,
Barbara Y. Martin, President Dimitri Moraitis, Executive Director
A positive mental attitude is essential for a healthy mind, body, and spirit. Our thoughts have the power to lift us up, or tear us down. We have the free will to create joy, peace and love with our thinking, or we can choose to create stress, fear, anxiety, and all the other feelings that can lead to disease.
The research of Carol Ryff, a psychology professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, suggests that our thoughts have a direct effect on our health, “There is a science that is emerging that says a positive attitude isn’t just a state of mind,” she says. “It also has linkages to what’s going on in the brain and in the body.”
Ryff’s findings conclude that individuals who practice optimism:
- have lower cardiovascular risks
- experience lower levels of stress hormones and lower levels of inflammation
- have stronger immune systems
- have healthier, happier connections with friends and family
The scientific recognition of a mind-body connection in health is exciting. “Mind-body medicine is now scientifically proven,” says Herbert Benson, a cardiologist and associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Benson advocates:”Hope in something beyond illness and dedicating oneself to [hope] gives purpose to life.”
For centuries, metaphysics has been saying how the min
d influences the body. And now humanity is awakening to the truth that the mind can directly effect matter.
Dimitri Moraitis, a metaphysician, healer, author and co-founder of Spiritual Arts Institute shares, “It’s important to understand what the mind really is. The mind is a tool for the soul, just like our body is a tool for the soul. As a tool, the mind is the director of consciousness for the soul, meaning it is the mind that is guiding the soul through its earthly experiences.”
Moraitis goes on to say, “Having an optimistic outlook and disposition is key. Being an optimist doesn’t mean that you are naive or that you are wearing rose-colored glasses. An optimist is just as practical and realistic as the pessimist claims to be, and just as discerning. The difference is that the optimist see’s life as intrinsically good. The optimist will look for the silver lining under the cloud. The pessimist will only see the cloud. Being an optimist is not only the healthy approach, but the mature approach to life.”
Barbara Y. Martin, an internationally renowned clairvoyant and teacher, emphasizes how the mind is the first place to make changes in your life. “The mind levels exert a tremendous influence on all aspect of the aura,” Martin says. “Silver light for intelligence and a lemon yellow light for concentration are strongly seen in auras with a developed mental body. When someone has a very positive attitude there is a pronounced blue in their auras. These people are fun to be around.”
Our goal is to make our mind our greatest ally. With our thoughts, we create – Lets create heaven on earth.
*source: Health and Behavior
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