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| Photo by Thomas Brown |
“Art’s task is to save the soul of mankind; and anything
less is a dithering while Rome burns. Because of the artists, who are
self-selected, for being able to journey into the Other, if the artists cannot
find the way, then the way cannot be found.”
—Terence McKenna,
Message
to Artists
At the very heart of the RISE philosophy, the
primary variable is the self. It is crucial for all of us to allow the
time to examine who we are, and what turns us on. Through meditation or
other discipline, one can determine their bliss. Next they need to
determine if they have the will and constitution to go after it.
Essentially, it is one who is
consciously aware and intentionally examines the self in a disciplined manner.
It seems pretty clear cut and simple, so at this point…where does art fit
in?
Artistic creativity is the method in which we all may navigate through this
world. For some of us this is an intentional cognitive action, and for
the rest, it is merely a simple unaware byproduct of the phenomenon of
being. Most people I have spoken with about the philosophy of RISE get
stuck when I introduce the idea of the healing potentiality in art and
creativity. People usually maintain in the extreme, that they are in no
way artistic.
This sentiment that people express when incorporating art into RISE is
understandable. In order to go further, I feel we must first rediscover
what art is. Below are two definitions to start with:
Art: 1. The expression or application
of human creative skill and imagination.
2. Works produced by such skill and imagination.
In an attempt to simplify it even further, I
maintain that art is imaginative expression. Imagination or
non-imagination is subjective and will always ebb and flow within the eyes of
the beholder. To delve deeper in my attempt to simplify, one could argue
that art is expression. This is the vantage point where the RISE
philosophy stands.
As long as a person has blood pumping through their heart, they are expressing
themselves consciously and subconsciously. This makes every living person
an artist. Like the first element of the philosophy, one must have a
focused intention to their expression. Like everything, the strength and
ability needs to be cultivated through a disciplined action.
Like
everything else in this world, lines have been drawn and things cut up and
divided. Art is no different. It has been marginalized, packaged,
and redefined. One must be a painter, photographer, poet, musician, etc
to be considered an artist. Nonsense! To some dispute, I vehemently
disagree with this. Every trade requires a good amount of creativity and
imagination in order to bring something into being. Beyond trade, the
greatest medium for one to express themselves is their life.
If life was a canvas, then the palette and tools represent the decisions and
choice made for every situation we face. Through the power of creativity
and imagination, each one of us holds the power to create the life we wish to
live in. Thus, art does have the power to change and save the world.
Expression can be a self-sufficient social fuel that can act as a catalyst for
change.
Inspiration is that energy the can spark imagination. We have the ability
to ignite each other’s imagination; if utilized, this could lead to further
creativity. Imagine, a perpetual flow of creative expression to
inspiration and back to creative expression. Of course, this is only
possible when the beholder of the inspiration acts like that combustible machine
and use the fuel blessed to them.
Unused inspiration is a missed opportunity to
explore and evolve. It is an innate right, and duty to share what you
have to this world. Despite what your ego is telling you at this very
moment, you have the ability to be a great blessing by simply being who you
are. Why hold back? Why not push the envelope? Why remain in
the bubble of comfort? You may not make a Hollywood film, or be in
contention for a Grammy. Somewhere, someone needs to hear what you have
to say or see what it is that you do.
You’re a key figure in an
infinite pool of story arcs; a character that represents a catalyst for those
you have known your entire life, or a stranger that passes you by on the
street. There is no better time than now to reveal your ever expanding
potential. Through the power of your artistic and creative expression,
you have the ability to not only heal yourself, but also heal through
inspiration, an entire community.
