[Online] Contemplative Arts: The Pith. The Path. And the PHET!

“If you want to change society, change the culture.
If you want to change the culture, change the art.”
VCTR quoted by Gina Stick

When Eastern wisdom traditions met Western artistic and scientific disciplines in the 1970s, a magnificent cultural explosion took place. Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche became the foremost champion of this movement and Naropa Institute (now University) became one of the richest grounds for exploration and creative expression.

The Series will showcase professional artists who devoted themselves to the pursuit of mastery in the contemplative arts both, as the core of their artistic expression, as well as of their spiritual path

We will survey Japanese disciplines such as Ikebana (flowers), Kyudo (archery), Bugaku (dance), calligraphy, as well as contemporary western arts such as theatre, dance, music, poetry, film, design and photography. All these dharma arts agree on a three-part point:

1. Cultivating an attitude of nonaggression and gentleness with the intention to contribute something positive, versus polluting the world with one’s neurosis, 
2. Tuning into a level of balance and wakefulness, therefore open to “first thought, best thought”,
3. Bringing together composure and decorum, which cuts through subconscious gossip.” 
Naropa Institute, 1978-07-09, Chogyam Trungpa Digital Archives

We have asked each artist to share with us the Pith of what they learned, the Path they traversed, and the Path others might walk, and express the PHET! – the freshness of mind that keeps it all alive.

Confirmed Artists and Disciplines (Dates TBA)

Join the Kalapa Study Group

in a celebration of creative magic – the élan vital of a drala culture.

Featured Photo: On the Road Mila Ridout