Creating Art to Promote Spiritual Development, Contemplation, and Prayer
Publication information:
Sotelo, Mano. 2025. “Creating Art to Promote Spiritual Development, Contemplation, and Prayer.” in Spirituality and the Arts. Harvard Divinity School: Program for the Evolution of Spirituality.
Abstract
Book Talk: This presentation examines how art can function as a transformative medium for spiritual development. Through an analysis of art as a spiritual vehicle and meditative techniques in artistic creation, we investigate how artistic practices align with contemplative and mindfulness traditions. We further explore art as a reflection of the divine, considering the ways in which creative expression facilitates encounters with the transcendent. Finally, we conclude with a case study of the book The War in Heaven, illustrating literary and visual art’s capacity to inspire profound personal reflection and foster a path to self-realization.