Well-said Duane. I like to think the routines and rote memory actions I've created over the decades keep part of the ego monkey mind occupied so the more creative mind can create. From the outside, the routines appear to make life boring, but for me, that is by design.
The commute, the cubicle farm, eat and sleep schedule keeps that ego mind occupied most of the time. The creative mind then has space to explore and think. Thanks for sharing.
Yes! Precisiely! Thanks for this Neil! Nietzsche wrote that "Moderation sees itself as beautiful; it is unaware that in the eye of the immoderate it appears black and sober, and consequently ugly-looking." I think it’s teh same thing for these rote and routinized ways of being in the world. Thanks again!
"In the obstinate perpetualness of muscle memory, in the commitment to monotony, in the elegant choreography of repetition, you find grace. You find strength. You find the highest kind of belief."
Duane, this is spot-on. In the monastic world it is a Rule of Life--a simple, powerful way of navigating every day. I find it true not only for spiritual or creative practice, but in my professional life. Every day, patients bring their own unique complexities that must be met with utter simplicity in order to take the *best care* of them. This is so clear to me, and I feel like the lone voice crying in the wilderness sometimes. It's the lesson we are doomed to repeat until we get it right.
Whenever something can be improved, it's usually a matter of allowing space for complexity to arrive unbidden. Because it always will. Such is Life.
Perfectly put! Thank you! I glean so much from monastic structures. As an organizing not only my creative practices but also my methods of daily living, a “Rule of Life” is exactly what I aim at developing!
I love the idea of meeting complexity with simplicity! Such a wonderful to see it!
Great piece, Duane. I need to rework my routine to gain more focus. Do you think this works for you because you’ve limited your daily activities somewhat, because you focus on your studio time, or some other reason?
Thanks Rod! I think it’s all of the above and then some. Because so much of m day is monotonous and routinized, it takes up very little mental real estate and little of my creative energy. My mind has room to wander and I have plenty of juice in the tank by the time I get to my studio. Also, because even my creative practice is a daily I’m constantly building up momentum and muscle-memory. When I step into my studio at the same time everyday my body knows exactly what to do and my mind immediately starts clicking into place. It’s like a kind of creative conditioning.
That’s outstanding, Duane! I appreciate the additional explanation. It really helps me in planning a new routine. I’m not sure exactly how I’ll structure it yet, but I love the idea of daily consistency and the excitement of arriving at that creative time each day.
A beautiful piece and approach. Habit and repetition can definitely open up space and time for writing/art and simplify and soften the day-to-day. Wonderful collage pieces… and interaction between them. I am especially drawn to “to overcome yourself.”
Thank you Amy! ‘Softening the day’ - such a beautiful way to put it! Glad you liked “to overcome yourself”. That was so enjoyable to work on. It felt like all the pieces came together so seamlessly.
"In the obstinate perpetualness of muscle memory, in the commitment to monotony, in the elegant choreography of repetition, you find grace. You find strength. You find the highest kind of belief." ❤️
Well-said Duane. I like to think the routines and rote memory actions I've created over the decades keep part of the ego monkey mind occupied so the more creative mind can create. From the outside, the routines appear to make life boring, but for me, that is by design.
The commute, the cubicle farm, eat and sleep schedule keeps that ego mind occupied most of the time. The creative mind then has space to explore and think. Thanks for sharing.
Yes! Precisiely! Thanks for this Neil! Nietzsche wrote that "Moderation sees itself as beautiful; it is unaware that in the eye of the immoderate it appears black and sober, and consequently ugly-looking." I think it’s teh same thing for these rote and routinized ways of being in the world. Thanks again!
Exactly, Neil, so true.
An economy of energy--directing it where you most want to spend it.
“economy of energy” - well said!! I think there’s an ‘economy of motion’ at play as well. No movements are wasted.
"In the obstinate perpetualness of muscle memory, in the commitment to monotony, in the elegant choreography of repetition, you find grace. You find strength. You find the highest kind of belief."
Duane, this is spot-on. In the monastic world it is a Rule of Life--a simple, powerful way of navigating every day. I find it true not only for spiritual or creative practice, but in my professional life. Every day, patients bring their own unique complexities that must be met with utter simplicity in order to take the *best care* of them. This is so clear to me, and I feel like the lone voice crying in the wilderness sometimes. It's the lesson we are doomed to repeat until we get it right.
Whenever something can be improved, it's usually a matter of allowing space for complexity to arrive unbidden. Because it always will. Such is Life.
Perfectly put! Thank you! I glean so much from monastic structures. As an organizing not only my creative practices but also my methods of daily living, a “Rule of Life” is exactly what I aim at developing!
I love the idea of meeting complexity with simplicity! Such a wonderful to see it!
That took my breath away. And thank you for allowing comments from the non payers too.
My Pleasure! Thank YOU Andrea! i appreciate it!
yes I really crave a mundane life so I can create! it's too hard to have a quiet mind with excitement all the time
That’s exactly it!! I much rather find the complexity and excitement within teh things I make. Thanks so much!
Great piece, Duane. I need to rework my routine to gain more focus. Do you think this works for you because you’ve limited your daily activities somewhat, because you focus on your studio time, or some other reason?
Thanks Rod! I think it’s all of the above and then some. Because so much of m day is monotonous and routinized, it takes up very little mental real estate and little of my creative energy. My mind has room to wander and I have plenty of juice in the tank by the time I get to my studio. Also, because even my creative practice is a daily I’m constantly building up momentum and muscle-memory. When I step into my studio at the same time everyday my body knows exactly what to do and my mind immediately starts clicking into place. It’s like a kind of creative conditioning.
That’s outstanding, Duane! I appreciate the additional explanation. It really helps me in planning a new routine. I’m not sure exactly how I’ll structure it yet, but I love the idea of daily consistency and the excitement of arriving at that creative time each day.
My pleasure Rod! It's the best part of my day for sure!
A beautiful piece and approach. Habit and repetition can definitely open up space and time for writing/art and simplify and soften the day-to-day. Wonderful collage pieces… and interaction between them. I am especially drawn to “to overcome yourself.”
Thank you Amy! ‘Softening the day’ - such a beautiful way to put it! Glad you liked “to overcome yourself”. That was so enjoyable to work on. It felt like all the pieces came together so seamlessly.
- filling up at the creative - gas pump - with richness and complexity. Thanks for sharing
My pleasure! Thank you for reading!!
"In the obstinate perpetualness of muscle memory, in the commitment to monotony, in the elegant choreography of repetition, you find grace. You find strength. You find the highest kind of belief." ❤️
Much appreciated!