There is a deep place within each of us all, from which stems that mysterious force we experience as inspiration. Inspiration seems so fundamental to our being that sometimes I think it is overlooked. There is an impulse that lies at the heart of all Life which drives it ever forward in to activity and evolution. It takes a different form through each creature and being, thus manifesting through the various peculiarities that are unique to each and every type of Life. We see this in the patterns and activities which sustain Life but it is also that which expresses its glory and magnificence.
In animals and plants we see these things emerging in mostly unconscious ways but they are no less inspired by the same fundamental principle of life which appears to precede even the processes of the intellect. This can be clearly seen in the natural artistry of nature and which of course makes its appearance in humanity through our many arts and articulations of our forms. The inspiration which drives the urge to rebirth oneself through the reproductive cycle is also the heart of the inspiration which leads the painter to paint, the musician to sing and the dancer to dance. The energy which starts Life is the same energy which continues through all of its motions and manifests as the infinite array of experiences. It is the dreaming of the dreamer.
Humans have reached a certain degree in their development of self-awareness that they have become able to begin to perceive this process. Not only just on the surface in expression but there are those who dig beneath the surface and begin to trace the original inspired impressions which lead up to the outer expressions. This strange impulse which emerges from the depths of one's being and manifests itself as the arts - music, written word, imagery, construction, dance, etc - it is no wonder that the ancients perceived the idea of spirits such as the Muses which inspired humans towards these fantastic works. Searching for the root of inspiration takes one far in to hidden and odd realms where the places of dreams and waking reality seem to cross over. Many there are that find inspiration from their dreams in particular.
This ability to access a deeper level of creative energy seems innate to human experience and even those of the simpler states of intellect may experience rich inner worlds of experience which they may only scarcely describe. Indeed, it is to the words of poets and mystics that one must look in order to get a sense of what is occurring beneath the guise of waking consciousness and the creative activity that takes place in the dreaming levels of awareness. The creative individual has tapped this natural dreaming ability and is able to perceive it in the mind as a reflection. In dreamstate this perception can be seen as a reality. Some find a veritable magical path through this exploration and still others find the inspiration for the physical life. Supposedly Einstein discovered his theory of relativity by a dream in which he traveled on a light-beam. Dreaming and creativity thus seem to go hand in hand.
When the musician is playing music they are not creating something from nothing. They are tapping in to a resource which is available deep within themselves. They are tapping in to Music as a greater concept than just the sounds that are being made and which exists on its own beyond the musician. Just the same, the painter, even one who replicates a scene, is drawing from that internal resource which connects them to that outer reality of Beauty which is beyond their own individuality and which lies in a collective state of reality where concept and manifestation occur simultaneously. So too does the dancer draw out a natural movement of Beauty from the well of inspiration. This deeper unconscious resource is a reservoir through which the waking reality may be grasped in ways which would appear to counter the common sense. The dreaming mind can be brought in to waking reality through artistry and the boundaries of reality are wavered by the crossing.
The act of creation in any art is an act of destruction of the boundaries of reality. In the destruction of the boundaries of the current state of reality there is a re-arrangement of perception and deeper aspects of reality are able to emerge from beneath the surface appearances. This is why the musician, the poet, the artist and the dancer are all the aids and attendants of the mystic and are the gateway to the Muses which inspire the creative work of magical evolution. This is why since ancient times song and symbol have held an important place in all things sacred, mystical and divine.
There is no further proof needed for the cosmic origins of humankind other than the immense creativity which we are capable of in many varied forms. That there is something deeper than merely the animal brain and its instincts is clearly evidenced in the lofty notions and grasping of the artist, poet, musician, dancer and mystic. Further it is seen in the expression of Love. Creativity often appears where Love is concerned, whether it is honoured or threatened. The basic creativity of survival gave rise to the slew of technologies which we now enjoy and at times abuse. Sometimes we use the creativity of others at the cost of our own. Sometimes the opposite. From this fundamental creativity came all of the motions for civilization and the building of relationships. Without this inspiration at the heart of humanity we would be all but lost to instinct.
It is the creative flame of Life which spurns the heart and mind to reach further in to the mysteries of reality and draw from there the answers to our unending explorations. Learning to be silent and listen to the movement, the urging and yearnings of this flame is the root of all meditative endeavour and to empower and enliven it is the aim of the magician. Together, these intentions can form a state of self-awareness which would seem unlimited and yet which is held in delicate balance.
Once the door to the infinite creative self is opened there is the responsibility that comes with the knowledge of self. Once you have seen you cannot un-see and you must honour your creative vision. To do otherwise is to invite Death. To let your creative impulses die is worse than Death for then you diminish your Life and can hardly be said to be alive or dead. It is by allowing the inspiration that wells up inside you to flow that is the key to self-realization. So long as you hold yourself back you keep yourself at arms length from your own self. To embrace all that you are is to embrace all you are capable of and to do that is to begin to tap your own potential. Be not afraid of great works but instead let your passion and inspiration drive your will forward.
Life is inspired. The will to live is the inspiration at the heart of Life, Grasp this will and live to the fullest self that you are able. There is no simpler path of magic than art to attempt to embody that which you are - infinity reflecting upon itself.
IP
Saturday, May 20, 2017
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Suffering and Happiness
There is no life that is without suffering. This is one of the universal commonalities to all forms of physical being. It is the unfortunate consequence of a dimension removed from archetypal perfection and the result of a randomization of experience. This experience is not entirely hollow in and of itself, however, for it is the fertile soil in which the roots of the spirit begin to grow from the seed planted at birth. The seed is the self which you are. Life begins with a traumatic burst in to a new world and nurturing begins immediately. The roots of the spiritual desires - to understand and have wisdom of the self and thus the universe - are grown deep in the dark places of suffering.
It is to be misinterpreted by some that this means that one must focus on suffering. I think there is no need necessary and one can safely allow suffering to arise at its own pace, likely slower than with one's urging. Rather, suffering needs to be digested and distilled and the experience within it wrought to golden splendor. This is, of course, much more difficult in practice than in principle. To find wisdom, understanding and compassion in one's experience means a change in one's perspective. It takes a shifting of one's position in to that of others. In this we begin to touch an idea of spiritual knowledge which is to attempt to get to know one's essence, where one's perspective is situated.
Suffering does not always yield this lofty accentuation of spiritual desire and there is often a movement in the very opposite direction, towards helplessness and powerlessness. This even tends to happen in those who are aware that they are seeking a deeper sense of knowing themselves, others and the universe. All the more so in those who are unconsciously battered by the storm of catalyst that presses upon each individual, often remaining unaware of those possibilities of so-called 'enlightenment' contained within their own experiences of suffering. The magical view is ever more difficult to view than the mundane.
The philosopher, the religious, the mystical and the magical all attempt to deal with this 'base matter' of raw experience through different ways but each is aspiring to that high object of the 'spiritualization', that is, the refinement of the experience itself in to something which is desirable to the 'alchemist'. Taking the emotional, mental and physical content and thereby distilling it so as to extract from it meaningful guidance towards the fulfillment of those spiritual desires - to understand, to be wise, to know compassion and wholeness. There is not, in this one's humble opinion, anything spiritual about the desire for powers, abilities or manifestation. Although these are not evil desires in and of themselves, they can be used to such an end. Evil is that which willingly induces suffering and which thrives on it. Good is that which attempts to resolve suffering so that other elements of life can take place. These are simplistic views but they are vivid and that can serve to make stark the concept of one's own actions towards others.
There are those who use the arts of spirit for little more than manipulation and self gain and of these I have little to say other than to be aware and wary of those who would casually allow or willingly induce suffering in others. There are those who call themselves by spiritual names and walk in spiritual places and yet evil is their intent and so they cannot touch the spirit of unity fully. They instead seek to grasp and control the lives of others in a mockery of the compassion with which unity is fundamentally inspired. I do not cast judgement on these individuals, but rather try to be aware of the possible pitfalls on the path, for I too am imperfect. The growth of spiritual desires lies not in the perpetuation or induction of suffering but rather in the proper treatment of it as it arises of its own accord and thereby refined through a balanced process.
To pursue suffering is folly, but to seek to understand your own suffering is one of the steps towards self-knowledge.
Spirit, a word and concept which goes back to the idea of breath and breathing, is unified and whole. There is no separation in it. It appears that each has an individual spirit but I believe in truth there is but one spirit which 'rushes through the universe' and gives, indeed IS, the life to all. Matter which is the apparent 'condensation' of spirit appears to be separate because it is a manifestation of the opposite principle inherent within spirit, which is unity. Thus, the two ends of the same device which functions as one unique whole. A trinity, the two in the one and the one in the two.
As such, the lofty goals of wisdom, understanding, compassion, perhaps bliss, are all grown and potentiated in the condensed world of separated matter solidified or coagulated in and by unity. The world of matter is an expression of the search for these things, at least in appearance. We do not, ultimately, seek these things in and of themselves but rather that which they signify in reality. A unified, concentrated, universal presence which is both intelligence and intelligent. We are that unity seeking a return to itself. In seeking these concepts we reach towards the unity which exceeds the separation of the senses and the body and it is actually only 'by accident' that one may chance upon this rare experience of the 'philosopher's stone' and yet to reach that point takes absolute focus and dedication, as well as knowledge. It seems folly, perhaps, to spend years building a house of tools, only to realize the goal is to discard the tools, but nothing is truly lost, only transmuted to another level or plane of functioning. One must have faith that their efforts will yield the desired result.
This is the role of suffering as well. In its base form it is wretched, horrible and unpleasant. However, boiled and purified it begins to show glimmers of wisdom whereby the interactions between others can be the most vivid of lessons. The mind which works the breath, the spirit and the forms as a conductor conducts the orchestra works upon the emotions and the emotions work upon the mind in turn. The mind cools the emotions. The emotions heat the mind. Overheat the emotions and you overheat the mind. Cool the mind too much and the emotion freezes or overcompensates. The balance is in the middle. Mind and emotions together work upon the catalyst of suffering in order to produce a higher perspective and which is the transmutation of the initial experience of suffering in to one of understanding.
The suffering does not become bright and golden right away. It starts of in rough tones and dark colours. It goes through sadness, grief and despair before giving way to neutrality and indifference. If this can be moved only then does it begin to brighten and to become inspiration, motivation and eventually joy. This takes a fair degree of will and effort towards arranging one's internal structures to achieve this end but there is a transformation that takes place if one holds to the ideal. The perspective broadens and the ability to see the perspective of others increases and with it a gradually greater experience of inter-connectivity with others and the environment around oneself is revealed. This is 'matter becoming spirit' in the sense of a state of self being situated in a perspective of separation moving in to a state of awareness of the unity underlying all things and all phenomenon, thereby shifting the perspective to that of unity.
Thus is the Great Work and the work of many lifetimes, for unity is infinite and infinity is unity.
IP
It is to be misinterpreted by some that this means that one must focus on suffering. I think there is no need necessary and one can safely allow suffering to arise at its own pace, likely slower than with one's urging. Rather, suffering needs to be digested and distilled and the experience within it wrought to golden splendor. This is, of course, much more difficult in practice than in principle. To find wisdom, understanding and compassion in one's experience means a change in one's perspective. It takes a shifting of one's position in to that of others. In this we begin to touch an idea of spiritual knowledge which is to attempt to get to know one's essence, where one's perspective is situated.
Suffering does not always yield this lofty accentuation of spiritual desire and there is often a movement in the very opposite direction, towards helplessness and powerlessness. This even tends to happen in those who are aware that they are seeking a deeper sense of knowing themselves, others and the universe. All the more so in those who are unconsciously battered by the storm of catalyst that presses upon each individual, often remaining unaware of those possibilities of so-called 'enlightenment' contained within their own experiences of suffering. The magical view is ever more difficult to view than the mundane.
The philosopher, the religious, the mystical and the magical all attempt to deal with this 'base matter' of raw experience through different ways but each is aspiring to that high object of the 'spiritualization', that is, the refinement of the experience itself in to something which is desirable to the 'alchemist'. Taking the emotional, mental and physical content and thereby distilling it so as to extract from it meaningful guidance towards the fulfillment of those spiritual desires - to understand, to be wise, to know compassion and wholeness. There is not, in this one's humble opinion, anything spiritual about the desire for powers, abilities or manifestation. Although these are not evil desires in and of themselves, they can be used to such an end. Evil is that which willingly induces suffering and which thrives on it. Good is that which attempts to resolve suffering so that other elements of life can take place. These are simplistic views but they are vivid and that can serve to make stark the concept of one's own actions towards others.
There are those who use the arts of spirit for little more than manipulation and self gain and of these I have little to say other than to be aware and wary of those who would casually allow or willingly induce suffering in others. There are those who call themselves by spiritual names and walk in spiritual places and yet evil is their intent and so they cannot touch the spirit of unity fully. They instead seek to grasp and control the lives of others in a mockery of the compassion with which unity is fundamentally inspired. I do not cast judgement on these individuals, but rather try to be aware of the possible pitfalls on the path, for I too am imperfect. The growth of spiritual desires lies not in the perpetuation or induction of suffering but rather in the proper treatment of it as it arises of its own accord and thereby refined through a balanced process.
To pursue suffering is folly, but to seek to understand your own suffering is one of the steps towards self-knowledge.
Spirit, a word and concept which goes back to the idea of breath and breathing, is unified and whole. There is no separation in it. It appears that each has an individual spirit but I believe in truth there is but one spirit which 'rushes through the universe' and gives, indeed IS, the life to all. Matter which is the apparent 'condensation' of spirit appears to be separate because it is a manifestation of the opposite principle inherent within spirit, which is unity. Thus, the two ends of the same device which functions as one unique whole. A trinity, the two in the one and the one in the two.
As such, the lofty goals of wisdom, understanding, compassion, perhaps bliss, are all grown and potentiated in the condensed world of separated matter solidified or coagulated in and by unity. The world of matter is an expression of the search for these things, at least in appearance. We do not, ultimately, seek these things in and of themselves but rather that which they signify in reality. A unified, concentrated, universal presence which is both intelligence and intelligent. We are that unity seeking a return to itself. In seeking these concepts we reach towards the unity which exceeds the separation of the senses and the body and it is actually only 'by accident' that one may chance upon this rare experience of the 'philosopher's stone' and yet to reach that point takes absolute focus and dedication, as well as knowledge. It seems folly, perhaps, to spend years building a house of tools, only to realize the goal is to discard the tools, but nothing is truly lost, only transmuted to another level or plane of functioning. One must have faith that their efforts will yield the desired result.
This is the role of suffering as well. In its base form it is wretched, horrible and unpleasant. However, boiled and purified it begins to show glimmers of wisdom whereby the interactions between others can be the most vivid of lessons. The mind which works the breath, the spirit and the forms as a conductor conducts the orchestra works upon the emotions and the emotions work upon the mind in turn. The mind cools the emotions. The emotions heat the mind. Overheat the emotions and you overheat the mind. Cool the mind too much and the emotion freezes or overcompensates. The balance is in the middle. Mind and emotions together work upon the catalyst of suffering in order to produce a higher perspective and which is the transmutation of the initial experience of suffering in to one of understanding.
The suffering does not become bright and golden right away. It starts of in rough tones and dark colours. It goes through sadness, grief and despair before giving way to neutrality and indifference. If this can be moved only then does it begin to brighten and to become inspiration, motivation and eventually joy. This takes a fair degree of will and effort towards arranging one's internal structures to achieve this end but there is a transformation that takes place if one holds to the ideal. The perspective broadens and the ability to see the perspective of others increases and with it a gradually greater experience of inter-connectivity with others and the environment around oneself is revealed. This is 'matter becoming spirit' in the sense of a state of self being situated in a perspective of separation moving in to a state of awareness of the unity underlying all things and all phenomenon, thereby shifting the perspective to that of unity.
Thus is the Great Work and the work of many lifetimes, for unity is infinite and infinity is unity.
IP
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