Date of Award
Fall 12-2009
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
EVMS School of Health Professions
Program/Concentration
Art Therapy
Committee Director
Elizabeth Warson
Committee Member
Matthew Bernier
Abstract
Meditation is being integrated into various fields to aid with healing, especially mindfulness meditation as it focuses on total awareness of the present. This thesis describes a self study that used a heuristic methodology to investigate the effects of mindfulness meditation on this researcher. I progressed through the six phases of heuristic research in a period seven weeks. At the beginning of the study, mindfulness meditation was practiced twice a week for a time period of 30 minutes to one hour for three weeks, followed by art making and reflections. Next, I practiced mindfulness meditation three times a week for a time period of 45 minutes to one hour followed by making art and written reflections or responses for three weeks. Finally, I practiced mindfulness meditation for one hour five times the final week with art making and kept a journal of written responses. A variety of art materials and media were used in response to my tacit-intuitive awareness at the time of meditation.
The meditation resulted in more expressive art work, increased well-being, deeper spirituality, and a more positive regard for my work than I had experienced before the self study. Further research is needed, although as a result of this personal exploration, there are clear implications for the use of mindfulness meditation in art therapy as an approach to stress reduction by inducing peace or calm within the meditator.
Rights
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DOI
10.25777/et2r-ks49
Recommended Citation
Mahl, Susan K..
"Mindfulness Meditation and Art Making: Implications for Art Therapy"
(2009). Master of Science (MS), Thesis, EVMS School of Health Professions, Old Dominion University, DOI: 10.25777/et2r-ks49
https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/evmshealthprofessions_etds/63