Once we have come to terms with the idea of drawing as a process rather than a thing we can put in a frame it is time to consider how to use the process as a meditation. One of the things you probably noticed during the first exercise was a sense of focusing. This focusing is the basis of the meditation. Rather than using the breath as the point of focus, as is traditional, we are going use seeing and drawing as that point of focus.

To do this we need to become aware of what we are doing, that is to say aware of doing drawing. As drawing is making marks as well as seeing we need to look at those marks occasionally. The problem as we have seen is that when we look at the marks it is very easy to consider the marks in terms of a product rather than a process.

It is vital then that as we refer to the marks made by the pencil we remain focused on our feelings and how we react to those feelings, what we are calling, reactivity. During this exercise every time before you look down at the marks you have made and when you actually look down, focus your attention on your reactivity. How do you think you will feel? and how do you feel?

The reactivity you notice and how well you are able to see it as something separate from your conscious thought, rather than it taking over your thoughts and reactions, is a vital element in developing you ability to meditate.