Amidst the Storm: Nervous System First Aid for Climate Anxiety
We are living through a time of great storms, both literal and metaphorical. As we witness the loss and destruction caused by climate change, we may be feeling anxiety, stress, overwhelm, fear, grief, anger, sadness, numbness, and more. Art-making as a spiritual practice can help you be in relationship to what’s happening, to find a sense of grounding and openness, and to send forth your prayers to those most impacted.
The following prompt uses the steps of the Jewish Studio Process and a practice known as Neurographic Art, which was created by Dr. Pavel Piscarev as a way to calm the nervous system and help with working through challenging emotions.
STEP 1: INQUIRY
Read the following text either alone or with a friend and explore the reflection questions.
Psalm 107:29-30
יָקֵ֣ם סְעָרָה לִדְמָמָ֑ה וַיֶּחֱשׁוּ גַּלֵּיהֶם׃
The storm was made into a whisper, its waves were stilled.
In the midst of climate-related disasters, while we may not have the power to quell the outer storm, we can give ourselves space to tend to the inner storm of feelings and emotions these events provoke. The Hebrew word for “storm” סְעָרָה also translates as “whirlwind.” What thoughts or emotions are whirling within you at this time?
The text describes the intensity of the storm quieting or coming to stillness. Are there particular thoughts or emotions you would like to soften or quiet? Are there any you would like to create more space to hear?
The word whisper לִדְמָמָה occurs in another powerful Jewish text that states after the intensity of the storms and the fire, “a still small voice” was heard. Imagine this still small voice as the voice of God - what do you long to hear from this voice at this moment? Imagine that this voice were to speak exactly the words you need right now, what would it say?
STEP 2: INTENTION
What is your nervous system most in need of in this moment? Use that to form the basis of your intention. Try one of the following phrases to get you started:
I cultivate…. I invite in…. I release… I connect to…. I listen for… I express… etc.
STEP 3: CREATIVE EXPLORATION
Gather the following materials: a piece of paper of any size, a thick marker or pen, any other drawing supplies you like (colored pencils, crayons, markers, etc.).
Use a pen or marker to draw a freeform large looping line that intersects with itself. As soon as you are aware of its route, change its direction. Meditate on an issue weighing on you as you create this line.
Soften the edges. Take your pen/marker and round off every corner where each intersection occurs by drawing a curve and filling it in.
Add color / embellishments of any kind to the design that has formed, in any way that is pleasing to you.
STEP 4: WITNESS
Write a stream-of-consciousness reflection to what you’ve created and your experience of creating it. Include any observations, associations, and feelings that arise. What do you see….What do you feel….How if at all does your piece or process relate back to your Intention? Notice how you feel as you conclude.
