#48 The Perfect Perspective

The purpose of art is not to perfect it, but to allow it to perfect us. I heard this somewhere, possibly from Tai Chi teacher Adam Mizner.

It’s interesting then to wonder… if one is working to become a master at an art.. what does this mean? Perhaps it is less about learning how to perfect the art, and more about how to become perfected by it.

Learning to open, more and more, to the lessons that the work of art reveals. And in this way, in allowing one’s self to be refined and polished by the work at hand, the work at hand in turn becomes increasingly refined.

To become too fixated on the outcome, on the perfected masterpiece, is to become attached. It is to close off to the possibilities that may exist outside the scope of one’s narrow vision of what is perfect or possible.

It is to shut out the mystery. In a sense, it is to worship the image that one is working towards, rather than the wisdom that results from the work.

Something to keep in mind when envisioning the future, setting goals, and working towards them. The vision of an ideal, or perfection, is necessary, but only valuable to the extent that one is willing to let go of it, and open up to the perspective that perfection is already here, and now. 

#36 Communicating the World into Being

Communication is a world changing art. To reach into the realm of ideas, and articulate the vision of something that has yet to be seen in the physical realm, in a way that inspires, is a transformational process.

It brings into light the imaginary form in which fresh life can be breathed. It projects a potential, into our shared atmosphere, so that it can be grasped by mind, felt by hearts, and built with hands.

Communication, is truly a boundary hopping practice, a realm shaping trade, and a community building craft. 

#22 - The Varied Value of a Vision

I go back and forth, regarding the value of a vision. On one hand, having a vision is helpful in the sense that it provides a picture, an ideal state of where one wants to head, or wants the world or one’s life to look like. It serves as a sort of target, towards which one steers their life. Yet on the other hand, at least, what I often feel, is that my vision is not what I actually need. That my vision is a distraction, a sort of projection stemming from a hurt place.

Wanting to change the world? An insecurity within my own self. Wanting to help other people become better people? A sense of unworthiness within. The list goes on and on. But I share this not to downplay the role of a vision, or dwell in my fleeting nihilism, but rather, to illustrate the point that a vision has a very dynamic nature to it. It’s value seems to lay in the fact that it puts the mind and body in a sort of motion, towards itself,  through which one can further refine their vision.

What I mean is, you know, visions, often closely associated with plans, often fall through. They serve as a nice starting point, but when you actually get on the path towards it, detours pop up and the route changes. And along the way you realize that the best parts of the ride wasn’t the destination in itself, but all of the little experiences along the way.

So perhaps it’s through the process of headed in a direction, towards a vision, despite whether it’s “right” or “wrong”, that we actually refine our true vision…

I used to want a million dollars so built a business selling products that were making people sick… until I realized what I was doing, so shifted and started creating another product I thought was helping people until I realized it was making people dependent… etc. until I realize what I was doing and decided to stop selling stuff altogether and be a yogi preaching the ways of self realization… until I realized that I could be serving more people from my unified self so I started selling products and experiences with the intention of simply spreading all the good vibes that I cultivated to amplify joy and love in the world.

This is an exaggeration, but what I’m getting at is that I think it’s a common pattern that our visions becomes clearer and clearer as we pursue them. And as we pursue them, we become more skilled at seeing and envisioning until we get to the place where our vision is no longer a projection into the future of a state we don’t currently have, but is instead a simple observation of all that is truly right in front of us, and the beauty and rightness of what it is.

Our vision recedes from out to within… and what reveals itself is less of the phantom image projected from our wounds and holes, and instead the realization of the beauty radiating out from the presence of our souls. And from that place, we can replicate that state from within, rather than pursuing it out there…