In another attempt upon the idea of soul I suggested that the word refers to that unknown component which makes meaning possible, turns events into experiences, is communicated in love, and has a religious concern. These four qualifications I had already put forth some years ago; had begun to use the term freely, usually interchangeably with psyche (from Greek) and anima (from Latin). Now I am adding three necessary modifications. First, “soul” refers to the deepening of events into experiences; second, the significance soul makes possible, whether in love or in religious concern, derives from its special relation with death. And third, by “soul” I mean the imaginative possibility in our natures, the experiencing through reflective speculation, dream, image, and fantasy—that mode which recognizes all realities as primarily symbolic or metaphorical.

—James Hillman

LET SPIRIT LEAD

A sincere empassioned engagement brings the work alive – spirit takes over. It seems you know what you're doing but far from it. Otherwise you'll soon get bored.    (Artists understand.)

solve et coagula

LIFE FEEDS ON LIFE

When I came across this phrase a lot fell into place. If we want to live a good life – one that generates goodness rather than one that merely consumes goods – then we absolutely need prayer (begging forgiveness), sacrifice (giving what we cannot afford to give), and other daily rituals of humiliation.

beware sclerosis

We're not trying to understand the mystery but deepen it through participation.

A sense of peace – relaxing into space

A sense of destiny – relaxing into time

We're not trying to solve puzzles or discover truths, absolute or otherwise, we're just trying to stay fresh & pliable – young at heart.

a presence of mind
a mind that heals
that makes things better
makes things right
energetic – lively
cheerful

From the Chinese perspective, emptiness is not, as one might suppose, something vague or nonexistent – it is dynamic & active. Linked with the idea of vital breaths and with the principle of the alternation of yin & yang, it is the preeminent site of transformation, the place where fullness can attain its whole measure.

—François Cheng

Relax sufficiently for your surfaces to bleed without losing their integrity.

Tropisms
Tendencies
Propensities

When, for whatever reason, I catch sight of myself in a mirror I get the shock of my life. Not because I've aged so much (I have) but because that image is so obviously not me. The creature looking out of those eyes is still the child – eager for, and amazed by, this strange adventure called Life.

My icons do not raise up the blessed savior in elaborate cathedrals. They are constructed concentrations celebrating barren rooms. They bring a limited light.

—Dan Flavin

relaxed yet not relaxed
tense but not tense

The closer we are to the point of failure, the more energy.
The further from that point, the more force.

What distinguishes the good student? They take things to heart. The head only comes in when they get disheartened.

error stems from the imposition of a priori categories

—Roch Charles Smith

The advanced student is often technically no better than many a talented beginner, she's just more full-time.

We subconsciously manipulate our world
to protect our tension (Ego)

Permanent vigil
(or as close as possible)

The poor student maintains a critical distance:
far too fearful to get close

What makes an event an event rather than just another occurrence is the presence of spirit.

Meditation: sitting quietly and letting gravity wash you clean. And what is it that washes away? Tension, self-image, Ego.

Just had one of those "Oh shit! I've been doing it wrong all these years" moments...

There are reveries so deep, reveries which help us descend so deeply within ourselves that they rid us of our history. They liberate us from our name. These solitudes of today return us to the original solitudes.

—Gaston Bachelard