Art, Meditation, and Medical Practice: Johannes Vermeer's The Geographer

Art therapy is often used to help to restore a sense of well being in people who are suffering from psychological stress or turmoil. We can experience similar benefits, while at the same time developing a deeper appreciation of our patients as fellow complex human beings, though the mindful experience of art.

Girl with Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer, ca.1665; credit Mauritshuis, The Hague

Johannes Vermeer was a Dutch painter in the 1600s. He is particularly known for his interior scenes that depict everyday life in his world. The Girl with a Pearl Earring is probably the most famous of his works. In 1999, a book by the same name, exploring the fictional life of the girl depicted, was published. In 2003, it was made into a movie.

 Sadly, Vermeer was not well recognized or appreciated during his lifetime, and he struggled financially. Vermeer died at the age of 43, leaving his wife with 11 children to care for. The cause of death is unclear, but it was said that stress played a role. Today, only 34 of Vermeer’s paintings are known to exist.  

As a physician, a fine art photographer, and a teacher of mindfulness, I am drawn to Vermeer’s paintings because of his strong connection to his subjects, and his emphasis on their humanity.

Johannes Vermeer, The Geographer, ca: 1669; Image credit Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main

As a photographer, Vermeer's The Geographer calls to me for its almost photographic frame of reference. This is not surprising, given Vermeer's use of the camera obscura, an early form of photographic projection that creates an image on a wall. As in an un-posed photograph capturing a moment in time, The Geographer appears to be unaware of the painter, and engrossed in his thoughts.  

Vermeer uses the light and shadowing to shape the space of the gentleman's study, creating a strong left-to-right diagonal perspective. Diagonals are important in art, because they often suggest action and energy.

Your eye might first notice the illuminated face of the man, then it may travel from left to right as the line of the light echoes the diagonal of his desk, the movement of the shadow behind the cabinet and even the pattern of tapestry that is draped over the table. The instrument he casually holds in his hand repeats this same diagonal and intentional feeling. 

The Geographer's face is illuminated in much the same way as the globe above him, and his Japanese style robe tells a story of a man who has a wide and diverse experience of life.  

The colors in this painting serve to unify the composition and create a soft sense of boundary in which this man lives and works. The gorgeous oranges and blues, as complementary colors, create a lush and intimate feeling. We see them in his robe, the tapestry, the small chair in the background, and in the shade of the light entering the room.  

In color theory, blue evokes the mind, reflection, serenity, and the intellectual, while yellow is a color of creativity and confidence. The orange speaks of passion, but perhaps of frustration as well. And the soft brown conjures nature and quiet. 

The variety of textures in the textiles and furniture elevates the sense of intimacy and deepens the richness of these colors. There is a sense of balance between the foreground and the background, holding The Geographer in the middle of the painting, and setting him firmly in the world.

Experiencing art mindfully

Art can be a way to access mindful exploration. Sometimes this is called slow looking. You don’t have to be an expert in art or a mindfulness practitioner. Even just a few minutes with a work of art can allow your mind to clear and give you space to create a sense of connection to another human being. The Geographer is a perfect stepping off point for this kind of exploration.

To drop into a meditative mindset, allow the experience of Vermeer’s painting to guide you into a sense of tranquility and space. Notice your breath as you spend time with this work of art, paying attention to your slow inhales and exhales. Feel your body loosen, even just a little.

Of course, you don’t have to turn to the Old Masters to experience the meditative power of art. If you’ve ever lost yourself in a song, you know that to be true. Abstract art, photography, sculpture—all can be portals to mindful exploration.

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An earlier version of this article originally appeared on this site in July 2022.

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My Podcast Appearance with Kevin MD on Meditation and Mindfulness

I enjoyed my recent conversation with Kevin Pho, M.D. We discussed how mindfulness can have far-reaching effects not only for yourself, but for those you care for. We also discussed the best times for meditation, when you might want to avoid it, and how a brief meditation can impact your sense of well-being.

As a physician coach, I love sharing this story, because it encapsulates how such a simple and brief practice can have a meaningful impact.

Despite often heavy-handed corporate efforts to the contrary, mindfulness is not a bandaid to fix all that is wrong with healthcare. And it’s not a substitute for the meaningful change that is so desperately needed. Instead, it’s a reminder to be present and engage with what is happening right now, without judgement or reactivity.

Through mindfulness, you are can find a way to take a moment in the middle of the daily storm to re-center and reset. And for physicians, that can go a long way towards building stronger relationships with patients and staff based on trust and respect.

The Power of the Pause: Creating Engagement and Presence

If you do surgery or procedures, you’re probably familiar with the idea of taking a timeout. This is a mandated hard stop in the operating room or procedure lab. It’s a moment for everyone involved to verify that they are on the same page and that all necessary preparations have been made.

What if you took the concept of taking a pause out of the OR and into the other demanding parts of your day? It makes sense that taking a brief pause between meetings, procedures, or complex patient care might be helpful. But my guess is that very few of us actually do this.

New research from Microsoft's Human Factors Lab supports the idea that taking a personal pause can not only help you to reset but may even improve your engagement with your next patient or procedure.

Since this was Microsoft, the study looked at the way people engaged in meetings. The 14 subjects were tasked with wearing an EEG while participating in video meetings. Each meeting lasted 30 minutes.

On one day, they took part in four back-to-back meetings, without a break. On the other, each meeting was followed by a 10-minute pause. Instead of simply checking their phones, the participants meditated with the Headspace app.

The results were pretty interesting. Analysis of brain waves showed that taking a pause for a brief meditation created greater engagement during the following meeting.

Conversely, with no pause, there was EEG evidence of greater stress during the next meeting.

Productivity is often measured by the amount of time spent working. But this study and others suggest that engagement is a more important (and healthier) metric.

Bringing these ideas into healthcare can be challenging when there is no end to the pressures of the inbox and adding one more procedure or working in one more patient (with fewer members of the support staff) is the norm.

How can you begin to practice taking a pause? It’s not always practical to take a 10-minute break for meditation in the middle of a busy day. But even a few mindful moments can help. Here are a few practical tips that can help you to create a little breathing space for yourself and to be more present for your patients:

• Breathe Mindfully:

Take a few deep, intentional breaths before going in to see a difficult or complex patient. Focus on the sensation of the breath entering and leaving your body. This simple act can help anchor your awareness to the present moment.

• Body Scan:

Conduct a quick body scan to release tension. Start from the top of your head and gradually move down to your toes, paying attention to any areas of tightness or discomfort. Allow these areas to relax, even if it’s just a little.

• Mindful Observation:

Take a moment to observe your surroundings without judgment or reactivity. Notice the colors, textures, and sounds in your environment. This brief shift in attention can provide a mental break and promote a sense of calm.

Taking mindful pauses between patients is not just a momentary break from a hectic schedule. It's an investment in your well-being and a way to engage more deeply with your patients. It can be a quick way to reboot your energy. By incorporating mindfulness into your routine, you can cultivate a sense of balance, focus, and empathy that positively impacts both you and those who depend on you.

It's time that healthcare leaders begin to learn the lessons that Microsoft and other leading companies already know. By supporting and empowering physicians and the healthcare team, healthcare systems will not only improve engagement and work satisfaction but will likely improve patient outcomes and physician and staff retention.

If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to stay in the loop for more insights on creating a sustainable, fulfilling, and happy life as a physician, sign up for my newsletter or reach out on my website. I’d love to hear from you.

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Three Things Physicians Should Know About Meditation

This article appeared in a slightly different form on the KevinMD website.

Meditation is a hot topic with deep roots, but sometimes it feels like it’s being pushed as a modern-day version of snake oil for what ails the spirit.

Meditation is often touted as an antidote to burnout, when in truth most of us know that a meditation app won’t solve the systemic issues that plague healthcare today. It’s no wonder that some physicians might be skeptical.

That’s why it’s exciting that academic researchers have been taking this ancient practice seriously. And they are discovering that meditation can have powerful and measurable benefits for your mental well-being, memory, and even your physical health.

Meditation is a legitimate area of scientific inquiry

A quick search on PubMed.gov retrieves thousands of reports and peer-reviewed studies on meditation, the majority of which were published in the past 10 years. Getting a handle on the health benefits of meditation could take you down a fascinating, twisty-turny rabbit hole worthy of Alice in Wonderland.

I was introduced to mindfulness meditation years ago when I first began practicing yoga, but to be honest, making time to simply sit and be present just wasn’t a priority for me. My interest grew when I realized that many of the physicians and scientists that I admire the most, including Dr. Dean Ornish and Dr. Vivek Murthy, incorporate meditation into their daily lives.

Mindfulness meditation is a form of meditation that focuses on being present in the current moment, slowing down thoughts, and observing without judgement. These features make mindfulness meditation especially valuable for physicians. Here are three things that you should know.

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Meditation may enhance your skills as a physician.

There is a broad range of research looking at the impact of meditation on neuroanatomy and neurophysiology. For physicians, the ability to focus on the details, remain present for our patients, and maintain equanimity when faced with stressful situations are especially important. Meditation can help by

• Improving the ability of the brain to pay attention to a task

• Enhancing body awareness

• Helping you to regulate your emotions

• Increasing capacity for memory

• Boosting your sleep quality

• Improving your cardiovascular health

It may be best to meditate in the morning.

Although meditation may improve your sleep quality, there is good evidence that in the short term, mindfulness meditation can actually increase brain arousal. Why does this happen? The theory is that since meditation may help to focus the mind, this can result in heightened awareness and attention. That’s why it may be better for most people to meditate at the beginning of the day.

On the other hand, you may find that less focused forms of meditation can help you drift off to sleep. Apps like Calm and Headspace are good places to find these types of practices.

A five-minute daily meditation can have lasting benefits.

Morning might be the best time to meditate, but few of us are willing to wake up 30 minutes early just to sit quietly in a comfortable position. The good news is that a study of stressed-out mental health professionals found that a mere 5 minutes of mindfulness meditation can have important benefits.

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Getting started with meditation is easy. Counter to what you might have heard, you don’t have to escape to an ashram or travel to a tropical island to learn how to do it. As a certified Mindfulness Coach, I share meditations online, along with many other excellent meditation teachers, but there are even simpler options. The Waking Up app is a fantastic resource, and includes a 30 day starter course. Insight Timer is another good choice.

As with many things, meditation isn’t for everyone. If you find that meditation creates stress or agitation, it may be best to avoid it. And if you’re under the care of a mental health professional, check in with them first before beginning a meditation practice.

Do you have questions about meditation or mindfulness as it relates to medical practice? Drop me a line. I’d love to hear from you.

If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to stay in the loop for more insights on creating a sustainable, fulfilling, and happy life as a physician, sign up for my newsletter or reach out on my website. I’d love to hear from you.

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References:

Britton WB et al. Awakening is not a metaphor: the effects of Buddhist meditation practices on basic wakefulness. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2014 Jan;1307:64-81.

Fox KC et al. Is meditation associated with altered brain structure? A systematic review and meta-analysis of morphometric neuroimaging in meditation practitioners. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2014 Jun;43:48-73.

Hölzel BK et al. Mindfulness practice leads to increases in regional brain gray matter density. Psychiatry Res. 2011 Jan 30;191(1):36-43.

Kozasa, EH et al. Meditation training increases brain efficiency in an attention task. NeuroImage, 2012 Jan; 59: 745-749,

Krittanawong C et al. Meditation and Cardiovascular Health in the US. Am J Cardiol. 2020 Sep 15;131:23-26.

Lam AG et al. Effects of Five-Minute Mindfulness Meditation on Mental Health Care Professionals. J Psychol Clin Psychiatry 2015 March; 2(3): 00076.

Pérez-Peña M et al. Mindfulness-Based Interventions and Body Awareness. Brain Sci. 2022 Feb 18;12(2):285.

Rusch HL et al. The effect of mindfulness meditation on sleep quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2019 Jun;1445(1):5-16.

Wu R et al. Brief Mindfulness Meditation Improves Emotion Processing. Front Neurosci. 2019 Oct 10;13:1074.