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COMPASSION

Paulus Berensohn: Mindful Creativity & Unconditional Love

Discover how artist Paulus Berensohn's life of mindful creativity and unconditional love inspires a path from survival to thriving through presence and connection.

CAVERLY MORGAN
Aug 6, 2025
2 min read(305 words)
Paulus Berensohn: Mindful Creativity & Unconditional Love

Who Was Paulus Berensohn? A Life of Radical Simplicity

Paulus Berensohn was a queer artist who embodied mindful living through:
- Rejecting modern distractions (no phone/email)
- Creating unfired clay pinch pots as ephemeral art
- Embracing slow, process-oriented craftsmanship
- Living barefoot in deep connection with nature

The Philosophy of Process Over Product

Berensohn's approach to creativity centered on:

Core Principles:
- The journey matters more than the outcome
- Art as spiritual practice rather than commodity
- Handmade objects as sacred connections
- Creativity as universal human birthright

Key Teachings on Mindful Living

1. The Practice of Presence

Berensohn demonstrated how to:
- Find awe in ordinary moments
- Turn daily activities into rituals
- Maintain curiosity throughout life

2. Unconditional Love as Creative Fuel

His relationships showed:
- How acceptance fosters creativity
- The connection between love and possibility
- Why judgment stifles artistic expression

3. Facing Mortality with Wonder

Even while dying, Berensohn taught:
- How to approach transitions with grace
- The art of "divestment" from ego
- Seeing death as part of life's creative cycle

From Survival to Thriving: Practical Applications

Recognizing Survival Strategies:
1. Identify childhood unmet needs
2. Notice compensatory behaviors
3. Observe without judgment

Path to Mindful Thriving:
- Release perfectionism
- Meet needs internally
- Align actions with inherent worth

The Lasting Legacy of a Creative Life

Paulus Berensohn's example proves:
- Simple living fosters deep creativity
- Presence transforms ordinary moments
- Love is the ultimate creative medium

Further Exploration:
- Finding One's Way With Clay
- Mindful journaling practices
- Qigong for creative flow

CAVERLY MORGAN

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