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STAYING TUNED TO OUR “CREATIVE-SELF” ENABLES ONE TO WORK EFFICIENTLY WITHOUT WASTING ANY ENERGY.
WatchfulMind orientates its view that all knowledge and all creativity is already present at what we call “Creativity-Self” and by tapping into the Inner-Artist we will immediately get access to the creativity we might need. Creativity is all around us and the possibilities are endless. Each person has their own gifts and world they are creating.
Over the years I have become curious how I can support the artist within us all. Each of us have a special since, a feeling, that is specifically designed and unique to each of us. Knowing this special since is what we use when we get ideas and creative solutions that “pop up out of nowhere” it explains how it's possible that our best ideas cost very little effort and how we sometimes find solutions without fully understanding where they come from. Creation is not an event in time but rather creation is something that is occurring all the time. When we’re in the flow zone, we make creative choices intuitively, without over-thinking. When we are in the flow, we are completely at one with the activity.
ART CREATES NEW GESTURES, CONCEPTS, AND SENSATIONS...
Art is creativity in action and the creative process itself. I'm interested in how creativity can be a process for awareness and bring wholeness into daily life. As a process, it brings awareness to the creative and viewing processes through the integration of contemplative practices. As a product, it is creativity that wakes people up. The definition of creativity here is to be able see the uniqueness of everyday experiences. Creativity gets enhanced; that is our the ability to recognize and see the familiar in new and exciting way.
Whether you are looking at the details or bigger picture, WatchfulMind offers a place to be curious and discover a whole new world. Creativity comes in many forms and can be a tool to bring about awareness. Every person is bringing and taking away something different. Our clients are curious, creative, and come to WatchfulMind to discover powerful ways to push their abilities. WatchfulMind works with individuals, leaders, and companies to realizing their vision.
BACKGROUND
Like the generation before me I was born in the south near the Mississippi River in Memphis Tn, home of the blues, birth place of rock’n roll & the volunteer state. Growing up in the mid-south life was filled with robust dichotomies of culture, music, & a richness of history like Marten Luther king Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement. I was mainly a city kid, into the Arts, adventurous, and over the years I would travel to different parts of the world whenever possible. Having these experiences has opened me up to an array a of practices and continues to drive my connection to the humanness we all possess. This has led me on a path of working with contemplative practices and being available to others. In my personal life I’m a son, a brother, a friend, and a new husband. In my professional life I invest in dreams, bridge communities, and create art all at one time. I’m grateful to work with others as my teachers/mentors have worked with me.
Growing up around a family businesses I was exposed to a variety of things from a young age. Before I could get a job, if I set foot in the office, my grandmother would put me to work filing papers. Over the years I mainly ran messages from point A to B and occasionally worked in other departments. Observing this taught me a lot about the operational working of a business, costumer service, distribution, and management.
Over the years I attended many schools and a few universities. After traveling through Asia on an abroad program, I discovered a book witch led me to Naropa University where I earned a BA in Completive Phycology with a concentration in Arts and Well-Bing. Here I was introduced to contemplative education and practices. After I graduated I continued to deepen my practices through different trainings and communities. Contemplative approaches have helped me work with my thoughts and drive what ever I’m creating. Life continues to push the boundaries of what I’m working on into a variety of mediums.
Professionally my carer has has taken few turns. After working in media on a entertainment project for 3 months in LA I ended up moving to San Francisco, CA at the end of 2004. Here I was surrounded by technology where a I was responsible for the look and feel of marketing, media, branding and was engaged in corporate development. Eventually serving over 12+ as Chief Creative Officer (CCO) for a few companies & starting companies of my own.
From before I can remember I was creating art. Living artful helps me create balance and stay true to who I am. It has take me a long time to learn & develop the focus and concentration need to compete one of a pieces. Since 2012 I have been showing art publicly all over the country and teaching others about the creative process.
CERTIFICATIONS & EDUCATION:
B.A. Contemplative Psychology with a concentration in Arts & Wellbeing
Naropa University (2004) - Boulder, CO
Co-Active Training Institute (CTI)
Professional Coach Training - San Rafael, California
Matri Space Awareness Teacher Training
Center for the Advancement of Contemplative Education at Naropa University - Boulder, Colorado
Karuna Training & Graduate Training
2 Certificates in Contemplative Psychology - Berkeley, California
Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT)
Center for Compassion & Altruism Research & Edu. (CCARE) at Stanford University School of Medicine - Palo Alto, California