Thought I'd bring this discussion over from another tribe - Art//Life.
Thanks to AllanO.
As An Artist, Where Are You On The Scale Of Self-actualization?
topic posted Fri, November 23, 2007 - 6:58 AM by AllanO'
"Psychologist Abraham Maslow has written, 'A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write--if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself. What one can be, one must be.' The question for many would-be creators is simply how to get to "must.
Maslow spent a lifetime researching mental health and human potential. He emphasized the study of healthy minds and successful systems rather than the abnormal and the ill. He was particularly interested in the hierarchy of needs, meta-needs, self-actualizing persons, purposeful play, and peak experiences. Leader of the humanistic school of psychology, he
referred to his ideas as a "third force"--beyond Freudian theory and behaviourism.
Maslow saw human beings' needs arranged like a ladder. The most basic needs, at the bottom, were physical--air, water, food, etc. Then came safety needs--security, stability, comfort. Then psychological or social needs--belonging, love, acceptance. At
the top were the self-actualizing needs--the need to fulfill oneself, to become all that one is capable of becoming. Maslow felt that unfulfilled needs lower on the ladder inhibited a person from climbing to the next step. For example, someone dying of thirst is not likely to write or paint. People who managed the higher needs are what he called self-actualizing people. These folks, he found, are able to focus on problems outside themselves, have a clear sense of what is true and what is phony, and are spontaneous, creative, and not bound too strictly by social conventions.
Here are a few of Maslow's ideas for artists wishing to further evolve:
Systematically study, understand and neutralize the effects of lower needs. Accept the world in all of its complexity, mystery and ambiguity. Take cues from the winners in this world, not the losers. Keep the company of the doers, not the talkers. Play your personal game on as many levels as you're able. Fall in love with your processes, innovations, dreams and higher ideals. Be sensitive to and welcome the arrival of peak experiences. Have no guilt when you see yourself becoming compulsive and proactive. Allow yourself to be swept up in your personal "must."
PS: "Where was the human potential lost? How was it crippled? A good question might be not why do people create, but why do people not create?" (Abraham Maslow, 1908-1970)
Esoterica: Peak experiences are profound moments of love, understanding, happiness or rapture, when a person feels more whole, alive, self-sufficient and yet a part of the world--more aware of truth, justice, harmony and goodness. Maslow found self-actualizing people have many such peak experiences. Acts of art can be structured so an individual sets himself up for a series of them. He feels good, becomes habituated and demands their repetition. Maslow was not a snob about his conclusions. "A first-rate soup," he said, "is more creative than a second-rate painting."
~From Robert Genn bi-weekly newsletter
Thanks to AllanO.
As An Artist, Where Are You On The Scale Of Self-actualization?
topic posted Fri, November 23, 2007 - 6:58 AM by AllanO'
"Psychologist Abraham Maslow has written, 'A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write--if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself. What one can be, one must be.' The question for many would-be creators is simply how to get to "must.
Maslow spent a lifetime researching mental health and human potential. He emphasized the study of healthy minds and successful systems rather than the abnormal and the ill. He was particularly interested in the hierarchy of needs, meta-needs, self-actualizing persons, purposeful play, and peak experiences. Leader of the humanistic school of psychology, he
referred to his ideas as a "third force"--beyond Freudian theory and behaviourism.
Maslow saw human beings' needs arranged like a ladder. The most basic needs, at the bottom, were physical--air, water, food, etc. Then came safety needs--security, stability, comfort. Then psychological or social needs--belonging, love, acceptance. At
the top were the self-actualizing needs--the need to fulfill oneself, to become all that one is capable of becoming. Maslow felt that unfulfilled needs lower on the ladder inhibited a person from climbing to the next step. For example, someone dying of thirst is not likely to write or paint. People who managed the higher needs are what he called self-actualizing people. These folks, he found, are able to focus on problems outside themselves, have a clear sense of what is true and what is phony, and are spontaneous, creative, and not bound too strictly by social conventions.
Here are a few of Maslow's ideas for artists wishing to further evolve:
Systematically study, understand and neutralize the effects of lower needs. Accept the world in all of its complexity, mystery and ambiguity. Take cues from the winners in this world, not the losers. Keep the company of the doers, not the talkers. Play your personal game on as many levels as you're able. Fall in love with your processes, innovations, dreams and higher ideals. Be sensitive to and welcome the arrival of peak experiences. Have no guilt when you see yourself becoming compulsive and proactive. Allow yourself to be swept up in your personal "must."
PS: "Where was the human potential lost? How was it crippled? A good question might be not why do people create, but why do people not create?" (Abraham Maslow, 1908-1970)
Esoterica: Peak experiences are profound moments of love, understanding, happiness or rapture, when a person feels more whole, alive, self-sufficient and yet a part of the world--more aware of truth, justice, harmony and goodness. Maslow found self-actualizing people have many such peak experiences. Acts of art can be structured so an individual sets himself up for a series of them. He feels good, becomes habituated and demands their repetition. Maslow was not a snob about his conclusions. "A first-rate soup," he said, "is more creative than a second-rate painting."
~From Robert Genn bi-weekly newsletter
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Raleigh
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Re: As An Artist
Sun, December 16, 2007 - 10:45 PM
I'm sure I'm pretty high on the scale. I know I have to create to live, and I have explored my subcontious mind for about 7 years, and I felt that was enough. It actually took a lot out of me in other areas, it was an obsession. -
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Re: As An Artist
Tue, December 18, 2007 - 9:27 AMI am reminded of that passage near the end of
Thoreau's 'Walden' where he says something
to the effect that if we hold to our dreams
with single minded determination we will meet
with success in uncommon hours.
Or better still, "I wanted to live deep and suck out all the
mmarrow of life... to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to
lowest terms, and, if it proved to be mean, why then to get
the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish its
meanness to the world; or if it were sublime, to know it by
experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my
next excursion."
Henry David Thoreau
Like the sections of bamboo
to all things that come into being
within the fulless of time
there is a time and a season for
endings and beginnings -
where most peope get into trouble
is in clinging to the past - either
unable to release and let go
into the present moment
or holding on to old regulations
beyond the point of usefulness
once you awaken you enter from
striving into nonstriving spontaniety,
but the work doesn't stop there
it is yet a new beginning
where hidden practice becomes
the key to survival - others are
not likely to share your new
found enthusiam for change
nor embrace the notion
of reasonable happiness
that anyone could be free
of the conditioned past
- and thus -
we are held accountable
upon the continuity of
our common mundanity
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Re: As An Artist
Sun, February 3, 2008 - 5:38 PM
"People may sit until the cushion is worn through,
But never quite know the real Truth;
Let me tell you about the ultimate Tao:
It is here, enshrined within us."
"To attain Tao,
It is not necessaryto go to the mountains.
Stay right here. In the red dust, riding a golden horse -
There is a great practioner of Tao.
Thus it is said
The mountains only provide quietude."
Lu Tung-Pin -
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enlightened artists
Fri, February 15, 2008 - 11:59 AMSome of my brain dribbles on the subject::
Art seems to be a byproduct of the flow of divine creative compassion breathing through a human container, what else can one do but to express the grand wonder that stirs within this spirit/molecular dance. But art like ego though necessary for physical incarnation can inadvertently demand leadership of the soul thus disconnecting the peaceful observer, and spiraling oneself into cascading states of dualistic interactions, that rob vital essence.
Thus art lets me know I am divinely breathing, but too attached to that breath is to suffocate, and thus one keeps breathing in new beauty never remembering the last piece (breath) as one is totally present with the now.
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Re: As An Artist
Wed, February 6, 2008 - 4:04 AMit is nice to hear things like this, i feel selfish a lot of the time, when meeting my creative needs, this helps me to better understand my place, and how to maintain & grow -
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Lineless Signs
Sun, February 10, 2008 - 10:35 AMBeing creative following our dreams
realizing one's true nature
and purpose in life...
Working the firing process
the five elements
constitute the five virtues
the path of following nature
practicing the teachings of the Tao
has a natural course in essence
does not require forced effort
within the appropriate proportion
humanity, courtesy, truthfulness,
knowledge and justice
preserving universal harmony intact
administering the way
assisting in its balance
the mutual generation of one energy
overcoming the five elements
preserving the primordial complete
dissolving acquired conditioning
it will not do to cling to one virtue
at the expense of the others
"The crossing of great rivers is that whereby inner
nurturance and outer effectiveness is accomplished."
Taoist I Ching
What does it mean to accomplish the will of God
and achieve good works in the world?
"Distinquish midnight and noon within unmarked time,
determine Heaven and Earth in lineless signs."
"You should know that you may need a raft to cross a
river, but you do not need a boat when you get to the
other shore; when you have caught the fish forget the
net, when you have caught the rabit, forget the trap."
"I say the those born knowing realize on their own
without seeking, hit the mark without trying - they
do not need inductive teachings, so the hightest type
of spirtual alchemy does not use signs or lines."
Li Daoqun
"Spirit is essence, energy is life; when spirit does
not run outside, energy is naturally stable."
"Unify your energy and make it flexible, and the spirit
will be permanently stabilized."
"This is not done in a day and a night. This is our original
reality, not a technique."
Liu Cao -
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Re: Lineless Signs
Wed, February 13, 2008 - 11:28 AMSpeaking as an artist i realize that
the metaphors of conscious reality
and the unfolding of the innerself
this journey of self remembering
begins where it must end...
stopping the inner dialogue
to hearld the coming good
our inner most creative process -
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Re: Lineless Signs
Fri, February 15, 2008 - 5:38 AMhere in lies the rub...
Maslow in giving birth
to transpersonal psychology
is the precursor to what is known
as the emerging field of Sacred Psycology
that is cosmic consciousness revisited
Maslow was an avowed atheist
according to Frankl:
"Self-actualization is not man's ultimate destination. It is not
his primary intention. Self-actualizatioin, if made an end in itself,
contradicts the self-transcendent quality of human existence.
Like happiness, self-actualization is an effect, the effect of meaning
fulfillment. Only to the extent to which man fulfills a meaning out
there in the world, does he fulfill himself. If he sets out to actualize
himself rather than fulfill a meaning, self-actualization immediately
loses its justification."
Change and renewal
returning to the origin
getting back to
the fundamental
refining the self
biding the time
empting the mind
process of illumination
self-transformation
temperment will vanish
when true nature appears
true fire of the original spirit
burns away arbitrary feelings
true sense will appear
unity of nature and sense -
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Re: Lineless Signs
Tue, February 19, 2008 - 5:41 AMit is interesting the flow
this state of being
said to be neither form
nor void the unspoken bliss
of complete understanding
without words...
It is said that in the stilling of yang
those who have not yet died
must first learn to die...
responding to others with openness
false yin retreats - deeping develpment
true yang remains strength used with
clarity preserving yang by yin
nurturing true yang repelling
false yin - stopping false yang
submitting to true yin
inconspiculous within the ordinary
world openness is consummated
staying in the appropriate place
tranquility remains pure
cultivating advance practice
like the sky covering everything
with no image of self or others
being like others in a wilderness
crossing great rivers seeing afar
by means of illumination inwardly
not losing oneself outwardly not
hurting others strength and
illumination acting together
firmness and flexibility
in balance and harmony
the advance ment of yang
that is aimed at fidelity to
truth...
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Re: Lineless Signs
Tue, February 19, 2008 - 4:04 PMSo art serves a twofold purpose, one is that of externalizing inward discovery, the other is to make models that manifest truth with subline symmetry of absolute expression.
The first is a visual meditation tool
The second is a signpost for the uninitiated to feel some resonance and be drawn into questing wonder.
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questing wonder
Sat, February 23, 2008 - 8:26 AM
Joined Mountains
One moutain joins another
immutably stabilized
in the right way
all thoughts rest
in their proper place
Responding to all things
ten thousand mountains are joined
harmonious and peaceful
able to refine the self
and master the mind
as steady as a mountain
how many know the One?
and can think without
changing places
always upright
persistent in the path
faultless
from beginning to finish
complete all task
by no forced effort
by this one attainment alone
both action and stillness
arise from genuine intent
rise up like thunder
as the celestial returns
concentrate and store
energy and spirit
reaching out from within
restore proper balance
of firmness and flexibility
it's hard moving beyond the past
without stepping into the future
No Footprints
mist hangs above hills
above mist hangs stone face of mountains
above mountains face hangs a net of sky -
crack! there are wings and they rip the net!
and the dance flows on
everything flows toward the rim of that
shinning cup
crossed sticks on earth
between crossed sticks - pile of ash
something rises on the wisp of smoke
dogs feet move by fast
and the dance flows on
everything flows toward the rim of that
shinning cup
through these channels/words
i want to touch you
touch you deep down
where you live
not for power but
because I love you
so
love the Lord
and in Him go your way
and I'll be right there with you
leaving
no foot prints when we go
no foot prints when we go
only where we've been, a faint and fading glow...
Bruce Coakburn
all this goes well with the thoughts of the day:
I got my love a bag of rocks
and she was happy to make
them into something beautiful
we live close to the earth
and give thanks each day
for the time we share together
in our brief walk through life
happiness and joy arise from
openness and giving trust
and sacrifice in making this
home a living against all
hardships and toil we have
each other expanding into
greater tomorrows
Like people in the home
vitality spirit soul psychie
and intent belong to yin
province of the human mind
when true yin becomes manifest
the mind of Tao is spontanious
harmonious and balanced
spirit soul psychie vitility intent
are all transform
into gradian spirits of truth
~*~*~
all this goes well with the thoughts of the day:
I got my love a bag of rocks
and she was happy to make
them into something beautiful
we live close to the earth
and give thanks each day
for the time we share together
in our brief walk through life
happiness and joy arise from
openness and giving trust
and sacrifice in making this
home a living against all
hardships and toil we have
each other expanding into
greater tomorrows
Like people in the home
vitality spirit soul psychie
and intent belong to yin
province of the human mind
when true yin becomes manifest
the mind of Tao is spontanious
harmonious and balanced
open awareness unobscured
spirit soul psychie vitility intent
become transformed
into gradian spirits of truth
joy, anger, sadness, and happiness
remain counterpoised within
fair and even proportion
yin energy does not arise
within the ~ illumined heart ~
the mind that dies to itself
allows the spirit to live
within reduction there is increase
moving gradually enduring long
harmonious and joyous
true sense in heaven
like a cat catching a mouse
the celestial treads
on top of the mundane
powerful practice unrelenting
Where violence and wraft
self interest and cupidity
emerges and erupts
increase awareness...
within reduction
there is increase
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Re: Lineless Signs
Tue, February 19, 2008 - 3:56 PMsweet resonance
them to tao boys got some going fur them :) -
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Killing the Tiger
Wed, February 27, 2008 - 5:33 AM
Like boiling water being poured on snow
treading strongly with harmony and joy
true yang is inherent and need not
be sought from another
knowing the appropriate priority
for the advancement of yang
strinking a balance without obsession
or indifference aware of perils
once again to see the origial face
uninjured by false yin and yang
where arbitariy feeling arise
true sense is obscured
mixing with acquired conditioning
true yang has runaway away ourside
not unlike a tiger that once was one's
running off to live as a member
of another family in some other house
few are they who are willing to call it back
not in heaven or earth or fire or water
but only by lake the path of receptive submission
in the place of mother earth are we able bring it back
transmute yin into yang and restore this to purity
without excessive ferocity yet being harmonious joyful
equanimonus and serene preserving life and being whole
"The path of development and achivement without obstruction
or hinderence through advancement of yang, treading strongly
with harmony and joy, is of great benefit."
I Ching
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