Welcome back to the continent! Not sure where you are on it, but the long flights are over!
Regarding philosophies, that is a huge question. It's more about fluxuation than set in stone. What I say is my philosophy about life is "Whatever Works", because my life is in constant fluxuation either from a physical standpoint or philosophical. It's all about what your Truth is in the moment, then you experience or come across a point of view that could edit part of what you thought you believed, and that's not a bad thing, and it all contributes. It makes you resilient and curious and fresh, like changing underwear every day, or buying new ones.
Well, it’s not like I don’t have a core philosophy, it’s just fluid according to the circumstances. It is forever nuanced, so in order to describe it, I’d have to catch it first. :-)
That last line is funny. Yes, that is a powerful, succinct philosophy! "Whatever Works". We are all in constant fluxuation and things are always changing. Constant updating is required.
I would be interested in a follow up to this where you verbalize some of the philosophies of the people you spoke to. And, yes, you DO look happy in that photo. And that happiness is directed at your son. In this case, I would call it love. And, you son’s smile is contagious!
Good one Cecil. Creatives can be haunted by it since their much of their process is internal so can always be suspect. But it could be more important for others who might duck the question at their day jobs.
Just that we can, hopefully all of us, have agency to have a philosophy, and so necessarily be alive seems to be priceless.
yes we operation is a wordless state much of the time. As many words as there are they don't come close to describing all those more subtle non-verbal forms of internal communication we have. As far the the day jobbers, the companies they work for like to impose their on philosophy on them for the company's benefit. The unhappiness probably comes in when the company philosophy over rides the worker's personal philosophy.
Thanks for another thought-provoking piece. I like the idea of a recurring interview with oneself. It also made me wonder how those in other professions other than artist might write an 'artist statement' about what they produce and why they produce it. For example, what would an accountant write or a nurse? For a long time I felt I should be able to articulate a philosophy of life 'with edges' and was understandably frustrated about my failure to do so. Human life is fortunately more fluid but I do believe it's healthy and freeing to ponder regularly about our purpose and beliefs.
Yes I think without studying and establishing some kind of personal philosophy life's circumstances can cause mere reaction to crisis. Like we know in art, it is good to have some general ideas in your toolbox when you start a work of art. But still some sort of philosophy is being used even if it is unconscious. I am kind of thinking it is a good idea to be as conscious as possible when confronting circumstances and have some sort of strategies in place or at least thought about. It is an interesting topic to think about.
I think because I saw so many people from so many places is this seeming remote location (not remote to people who live there of course but to me anyway) I wondered why all of these people were going to so much effort to show up there. Ko Pha Ngan is just a tiny remote island even from Bangkok. You have to fly to a nearby slightly larger island Ko Samui and then take a 30 minute ferry to get to it. But for some reason it has a big reputation and seems to draw a certain kind of crowd.
I wish more people would travel to places outside of their comfort zone and interact with the locals. It's one great way to improve upon one's perspective and perhaps gain some empathy, gratitude and even practice problem-solving. Even if one doesn't have the means to travel the world many people still have the occasional opportunity to place themselves in unfamiliar situations such as volunteering with a different population from what they are used to or attending a celebration or ceremony one is unfamiliar with. And while there, make contact, ask sincere questions, try and learn something new. My first year in grad school, I took a course (can't remember what it was called) that demanded just that. We had to select a number of experiences not typical for us, immerse ourselves if even briefly and follow by writing a paper describing the situation and contemplating our response to it. We also had members of different local populations visit our class, present information and answer questions. Everyone was uncomfortable on numerous occasions but it was one of the best classes I ever took.
WOW!!!!! What a fantastic article you have written here! It immediately made me think about so many things. While I've had specific "written in stone" beliefs I realize that that stone can also be at times like styrafoam and I can re-write those beliefs as I learn, do some critical thinking, and keep an open mind and heart to keep educating myself. But still are some non-changing beliefs and truths for me that don't/won't change. In the past week and a half, I've been thinking about not having gone into my studio to create. I've been in tremendous pain in my body, scared what that can be yet too stubborn to not go to my Dr's hoping it'll dissipate. This pain has had me in tears every day and observing myself objectively is an interesting thing. There's anger, frustration, feelings of worthlessness as I fantasize obtaining one of those gentle death pods that Canada is pushing on their citizens. I've broken things in the kitchen, cried out to some god that I question whether or not He's even existing, and crawled into bed to escape the misery and pity party as well as take too many meds/drugs to take that edge off. I've barely given any thought to making art yet there's an underlying missing being in there as when I'm in the studio, all my woes usually leave as I find myself into that beautiful ZONE. Sorry this is so long. I'll get better. I have to. As much as I obsess about death, I know I have a lot to live for as the cliche' goes. Merry whatever everyone. Cecil, you look so happy in that photo. I miss Happy. I'd settle for Contentment again. And less pain would be nice so I could feel gratitude again.
I am so sorry to hear about so much pain! I have had periods like that where pain is totally claustrophobic, blocking out everything but the pain. And some of the powerful pain killers cause their own trouble and state of phycological weirdness. A miserable state to be in! Hopefully that gets resolved soon! Hang in there! I have definitely experienced being in the studio where all the pain disappears for a while when you get in the flow IF the pain is not completely overwhelming and incapacitating.
Thanks for your reply, Cecil. I usually have a high threshold for pain but this has been really intense. There's nothing greater than the feeling of pain that has finally left. Relief. Looking forward to that hopefully soon. Your words are a great comfort to me. Take care.
Welcome back to the continent! Not sure where you are on it, but the long flights are over!
Regarding philosophies, that is a huge question. It's more about fluxuation than set in stone. What I say is my philosophy about life is "Whatever Works", because my life is in constant fluxuation either from a physical standpoint or philosophical. It's all about what your Truth is in the moment, then you experience or come across a point of view that could edit part of what you thought you believed, and that's not a bad thing, and it all contributes. It makes you resilient and curious and fresh, like changing underwear every day, or buying new ones.
Well, it’s not like I don’t have a core philosophy, it’s just fluid according to the circumstances. It is forever nuanced, so in order to describe it, I’d have to catch it first. :-)
That last line is funny. Yes, that is a powerful, succinct philosophy! "Whatever Works". We are all in constant fluxuation and things are always changing. Constant updating is required.
Isn’t that the truth! Happiest New Year!
I would be interested in a follow up to this where you verbalize some of the philosophies of the people you spoke to. And, yes, you DO look happy in that photo. And that happiness is directed at your son. In this case, I would call it love. And, you son’s smile is contagious!
Good one Cecil. Creatives can be haunted by it since their much of their process is internal so can always be suspect. But it could be more important for others who might duck the question at their day jobs.
Just that we can, hopefully all of us, have agency to have a philosophy, and so necessarily be alive seems to be priceless.
yes we operation is a wordless state much of the time. As many words as there are they don't come close to describing all those more subtle non-verbal forms of internal communication we have. As far the the day jobbers, the companies they work for like to impose their on philosophy on them for the company's benefit. The unhappiness probably comes in when the company philosophy over rides the worker's personal philosophy.
Thanks for another thought-provoking piece. I like the idea of a recurring interview with oneself. It also made me wonder how those in other professions other than artist might write an 'artist statement' about what they produce and why they produce it. For example, what would an accountant write or a nurse? For a long time I felt I should be able to articulate a philosophy of life 'with edges' and was understandably frustrated about my failure to do so. Human life is fortunately more fluid but I do believe it's healthy and freeing to ponder regularly about our purpose and beliefs.
Yes I think without studying and establishing some kind of personal philosophy life's circumstances can cause mere reaction to crisis. Like we know in art, it is good to have some general ideas in your toolbox when you start a work of art. But still some sort of philosophy is being used even if it is unconscious. I am kind of thinking it is a good idea to be as conscious as possible when confronting circumstances and have some sort of strategies in place or at least thought about. It is an interesting topic to think about.
I think because I saw so many people from so many places is this seeming remote location (not remote to people who live there of course but to me anyway) I wondered why all of these people were going to so much effort to show up there. Ko Pha Ngan is just a tiny remote island even from Bangkok. You have to fly to a nearby slightly larger island Ko Samui and then take a 30 minute ferry to get to it. But for some reason it has a big reputation and seems to draw a certain kind of crowd.
I wish more people would travel to places outside of their comfort zone and interact with the locals. It's one great way to improve upon one's perspective and perhaps gain some empathy, gratitude and even practice problem-solving. Even if one doesn't have the means to travel the world many people still have the occasional opportunity to place themselves in unfamiliar situations such as volunteering with a different population from what they are used to or attending a celebration or ceremony one is unfamiliar with. And while there, make contact, ask sincere questions, try and learn something new. My first year in grad school, I took a course (can't remember what it was called) that demanded just that. We had to select a number of experiences not typical for us, immerse ourselves if even briefly and follow by writing a paper describing the situation and contemplating our response to it. We also had members of different local populations visit our class, present information and answer questions. Everyone was uncomfortable on numerous occasions but it was one of the best classes I ever took.
WOW!!!!! What a fantastic article you have written here! It immediately made me think about so many things. While I've had specific "written in stone" beliefs I realize that that stone can also be at times like styrafoam and I can re-write those beliefs as I learn, do some critical thinking, and keep an open mind and heart to keep educating myself. But still are some non-changing beliefs and truths for me that don't/won't change. In the past week and a half, I've been thinking about not having gone into my studio to create. I've been in tremendous pain in my body, scared what that can be yet too stubborn to not go to my Dr's hoping it'll dissipate. This pain has had me in tears every day and observing myself objectively is an interesting thing. There's anger, frustration, feelings of worthlessness as I fantasize obtaining one of those gentle death pods that Canada is pushing on their citizens. I've broken things in the kitchen, cried out to some god that I question whether or not He's even existing, and crawled into bed to escape the misery and pity party as well as take too many meds/drugs to take that edge off. I've barely given any thought to making art yet there's an underlying missing being in there as when I'm in the studio, all my woes usually leave as I find myself into that beautiful ZONE. Sorry this is so long. I'll get better. I have to. As much as I obsess about death, I know I have a lot to live for as the cliche' goes. Merry whatever everyone. Cecil, you look so happy in that photo. I miss Happy. I'd settle for Contentment again. And less pain would be nice so I could feel gratitude again.
I am so sorry to hear about so much pain! I have had periods like that where pain is totally claustrophobic, blocking out everything but the pain. And some of the powerful pain killers cause their own trouble and state of phycological weirdness. A miserable state to be in! Hopefully that gets resolved soon! Hang in there! I have definitely experienced being in the studio where all the pain disappears for a while when you get in the flow IF the pain is not completely overwhelming and incapacitating.
Thanks for your reply, Cecil. I usually have a high threshold for pain but this has been really intense. There's nothing greater than the feeling of pain that has finally left. Relief. Looking forward to that hopefully soon. Your words are a great comfort to me. Take care.