Three Spiritual Processes

The spiritually oriented artist aspires to share hope, experience, and strength with others inside and outside their communities. One expert, who is an art critic, philosopher, and theologian (Gordon Graham) has identified three processes that characterize religious practices and aesthetic practices – creativity, contemplation, and inspiration. In religious thought, God creates and therefore inspires humans to venerate creation and are inspired to practice sacred rituals to confirm the appreciation of sacredness. The creative act is always first, then inspiration or contemplation follow depending on the creative purpose. The artist also demonstrates these spiritual practices. Artist creative works should inspire others to practice spiritual dimensions and evoke contemplation of the sacred works. Religion and aesthetics share these spiritual practices as they create, contemplate, and inspire others.