Lesson 4:
The Three-Breath Response Method

The Cubist Conversation:
Picasso's Multiple Perspectives and Mindful Response

Picasso's "Woman in Striped Armchair" isn't just a portrait—it's a visual demonstration of how seeing multiple perspectives creates deeper understanding. The painting teaches us that effective communication, like cubist art, requires considering different viewpoints before responding.

Here's how this artwork speaks to our three-breath method:

1. Fragmented Faces: Notice how the woman's face appears from multiple angles simultaneously—profile and frontal view merged together. This mirrors our first breath ("I notice..."), where we pause to recognize there's more than one way to see any situation.

2. Geometric Restructuring: Picasso doesn't destroy the subject; he reorganizes it through geometric shapes and bold outlines. Similarly, our second breath ("I feel...") doesn't eliminate emotions but restructures them into awareness rather than reaction.

3. Vibrant Color Harmony: Despite the fragmentation, the bright blues, pinks, and greens create a unified whole. Our third breath ("I choose...") integrates multiple viewpoints into a harmonious response.

In this lesson, we practice "seeing" like Picasso painted:

• Breaking Down Assumptions: Just as Picasso dissected conventional views of form, we examined scenarios from multiple angles rather than accepting first impressions.

• Rebuilding With Structure: The three-breath framework provides structure for reassembling fragmented perceptions, just as Picasso's geometric shapes reorganize visual reality.

• Creating New Harmonies: The color relationships in the painting show how seemingly discordant elements can work together—just like our conflicting thoughts and feelings can lead to balanced responses.

Try it today: When facing a challenging interaction, remember Picasso's fragmented faces and give yourself three breaths to see the situation from multiple perspectives. Like cubism itself, this method reveals a more complete truth than any single viewpoint could offer.