Grief Art

In many shamanic societies, if you came to a medicine person complaining of being disheartened, dispirited, or depressed, they would ask one of four questions: When did you stop dancing? When did you stop singing? When did you stop being enchanted by stories? When did you stop being comforted by the sweet territory of silence?

Since first hearing these questions years ago, I have returned to them again and again. During times when I’m feeling dismayed or irritable. Or when I’m off-kilter or exhausted. And whenever I’m bereft.

While they don’t supply an answer or quick fix, they do offer a powerful kind of medicine. They invite a process and practice. They ask us to move what feels heavy or stuck. They nudge us to reach outward and also turn inward to access the comfort available in universal experiences and the quiet wisdom that resides deep inside.

Last week, I completed a grief support series with a client.  It was transformative for us both. Through meandering conversations, we explored the wild nature of loss. Although I offered countless theories, anecdotes, and ideas for consideration throughout our sessions, one particular approach stood out: GRIEF ART.

When Mak (who wants to be named) arrived with a canvas and sketchbook in hand, there was a light exuding from within and around them. That inner spark is evidence of the kind of life force needed to survive heartbreak.

We talked about the process of creating the artwork, and though the stories behind these pieces remain personal, Mak felt called to share these pieces with others–a kind, generous act to reach others navigating loss.

Will grief art speak to everyone? Perhaps not. But creative expression is a practice worth exploring. Whether it’s through dance, song, stories, silence, or art, there are pathways that lead us back to ourselves, back to our strength, and back to the havens we can build in our heart, infusing us with essential nourishment for our journey.

Have YOU Processed Loss Creatively?

I posed that question in my newsletter and received incredibly inspired answers. From a children’s story told to bereaved grandchildren, to a watercolor painting, to poetry, to a daily gratitude list, to journaling, there are endless modes of expression to explore…