THERE is an old Chinese proverb which says that ‘One picture creates ten thousand words’.

For me without doubt the painting of ‘The Creation Of Adam’ by Michelangelo is one such painting. It is the central painting of the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican and in my opinion is very worthy of that position.

We can debate ad infinitum as to what God means to us, but surely if God was to leave a message for us, then there would be no better place than the centre of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

After all this is the very Chapel that The Pope who is God’s representative on Earth is elected every time that a Papal conclave is held.

Yes all of this is true yet to me the painting of The Creation of Adam hold a very practical significance. Let me explain further.

Many years ago (about 14 now!!) I suffered from severe depression. I started my recovery journey and thankfully am now very comfortable with writing and speaking about the subject of depression and I am very comfortable with the subject.

I have written many articles on the subject, even to the distraction of friends and people close to me, yet I am so grateful to be able to be of some help to people who are still suffering from this dreadful affliction.

I have often written that a very central part of my recovery is meditation.

One of the easiest ways to meditate is using one’s breath. One cannot be in two places at one time – For instance you cannot be in Tralee and Ballyheigue at the same time.

Also you cannot focus your mind on your breath and on your thoughts at the same time. You can use your breath as an anchor away from your thoughts.

Psychologists will tell you that the human brain is divided into two halves. The Right Hand Side represents ‘The Thinking Mind’ while the Left Hand Side represents the ‘Creative Mind’

When we practice meditation we can learn to connect with our ‘Creative Mind’ and in turn have Freedom from the ‘Thinking Mind’.

This connects us with the Right Hand lobe of the brain.

It is in this space that God (Higher Power if you are more comfortable with that term) connects and speaks to us.

This is what Jesus meant when He said – “Be Still and know that I Am God” and connect with My Presence.

He also said “I Am (is)  The Way The Truth and The Life”. In other words living in His Presence is the way.

What was the first thing you did when you were born – Breath

What is the last thing you will do before you die? – Take your last Breath.

If God was to be present with us all the time then the breath would be a perfect place for Him to reside.

Now for the main purpose of this article – If you look at the picture or The Creation of Adam – it tells me that

1. God isn’t Man and Man isn’t God

2. God is very very close to us in fact He surrounds us – thus the two fingertips being so close. He is as close as our next breath.

3. Now for my main point; Where is God depicted from in the painting? Look at the shroud surrounding God.  It is the image of The Right Hand Side of the human brain.

You can see the frontal lobe so it has to be The Right Hand Side.

I am so grateful for meditation coming into my life because it gave me a way out of depression but I have no doubt that it also allowed me the opportunity to connect with that space in which I believe God resides.

In the space of Stillness. That is why the painting of ‘The Creation of Adam’ holds a very special place in my heart.

Thank you Michelangelo.

• Next week I am going to write about — Breath Meditation