“I want to be around people that do things. I don’t want to be around people anymore that judge or talk about what people do. I want to be around people that dream and support and do things." ― Amy Poehler
There are people that have committed much of their lives to creating, to being embarrassed, to trying again and again. Having personally spent most of my life safely observing... never risking all too much... I find it to be so convenient to scroll through what other people create, and think that my judgements of them to be a worthwhile use of time. and yet over time it becomes unsatisfying.
I'm now reminded of a quote I love from a book I love — Reflections on the Art of Living: A Joseph Campbell Companion by Joseph Campbell (edited by Sharon Osborn):
In the simplest terms, I think we might say that when a situation or phenomenon evokes in us a sense of existence (instead of some reference to the possibility of an assurance of meaning) we have had an experience of this kind. The sense of existence evoked may be shallow or profound, more or less intense, according to our capacity or readiness; but even a brief shock (say, for example, when discovering the moon over city roofs or hearing a sharp bird cry at night) can yield an experience of the order of no-mind: that is to say, the poetical order, the order of art. When this occurs, our own reality-beyond-meaning is awakened (or perhaps better: we are awakened to our own reality-beyond-meaning), and we experience an affect that is neither thought nor feeling but an interior impact.
A friend shared a few sparknotes from Robert M. Pirsig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance:
A classical understanding sees the world primarily as underlying form itself. A romantic understanding sees it primarily in term of immediate appearance. If you were to show an engine or a mechanical drawing or electronic schematic to a romantic it is unlikely he would see much of interest in it. Is has no appeal because the reality he sees is its surface. Dull, complex lists of names, lines and numbers. Nothing interesting. But if you were to show the same blueprint of schematic or give the same description to a classical person he might look at it and then become fascinated by it because he sees that within the lines and shapes and symbols is a tremendous richness of underlying form.
This quote encourages me to slow down an effort to advocate only for more romantic experiencing and expression, and land on the question—where can I find more balance? I suppose it's true for many who are romantically inclined, that living today invites us again and again toward the classical mode. Test taking, presentation-creating moments... and for example certainly less communal dance, or ecstatic moments of initiation (which seem to by many hold a woo woo distancing, as they are so unexplored and in that way would require risking some level of vulnerability to participate in).
So, balance for me feels like exploring and remembering to embrace romantic experience. And I feel simultaneously thankful for those in my life that see underlying value and meanings in classical discernment. And I want to dance with them. Considering the quote that kicked us off, there's no right way. Respect to every journey.
I personally find that dancing to be the most already-here chance at this. I'm not thinking of dancing as performance, but just the sake of wondering and experiencing what you're elbow will do next. And how once it starts it's so much easier to continue it. I suppose this is the purpose of Morning Movement—to make something I love doing and believe in a little easier to get going. If this writing as sparked any curiosity in opening to more moments of "reality-beyond-meaning," I invite you to join. And if that is desired but feels risky, throw a random name on your Zoom and leave your camera off :)
You're certainly already creating. Maybe it's your quips, or the way you tend to the space you live in. My brother sends more letters than anyone I know. Before you go thinking there's something to be done, I invite you to first claim these expressions and acknowledge how inspired so many things you do already are.
Responses are welcome - both classical thoughts, or a low-stakes poem/writing in the romantic mode.
Zack
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