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Meditation on Thoughts

Audio Apr. 14, 2025
Morris Louis, Green Thoughts, 1958, Carnegie Museum of Art, Purchased through the A. W. Mellon Acquisition Endowment Fund and funds provided by Marcella Louis Brenner, © The Estate of Morris Louis / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

“It’s like a beautiful symphony that flows over you.”—commentary from film produced by Maryland Institute College of Art, 2014

  1. Settle into a place of stillness. Take a deep breath in and out as you relax and look at the painting.
  2. Notice how you feel as you look at this large canvas, almost enveloping you. Notice the different shades of green. What thoughts emerge as you look at this work?
  3. Let your thoughts come and go, just like the lines of green that run down the painting- effortlessly flowing. There is no need to hold onto anything.
  4. Now close your eyes and continue to follow your thoughts. Imagine each thought is flowing through your mind. Release any need to control.
  5. Imagine your mind is the canvas. Each thought is like a streak of paint. You can visualize each thought as a different shade of green, or a different color all together.
  6. Continue to create your own canvas in your mind’s eye. Allow this quiet act of noticing to steady and calm your mind.
  7. Continue following your thoughts like this for as long as you like. When you are ready take a deep breath in and out as you prepare to move through the rest of your day.