I’ve Noticed

This quote by Thomas Merton, The Way of Chuang Tzu, is one with which I open almost any mixed media event:

When an archer is shooting for nothing, he has all his skill.

If he shoots for a brass buckle, he is already nervous.

If he shoots for a prize of gold, he goes blind or sees two targets.

He is out of his mind.

His skill has not changed.

But the prize divides him.

He cares.

He thinks more of winning than of shooting

And the need to win drains him of power.

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And its relevance was most apparent in the one I just taught in Whidbey Island, Washington State. Exploring Minimalism in Mixed Media. Its strong connection is not only with our creative practices, with The Way of Chuang Tzu, but also with the way we live outside of these creative practices. Minimalism: frugality, humility, and acceptance of what is as enough. I’ve noticed that beauty is noticeable in the void. In empty spaces, uncluttered. Surfaces not layered. In places where nothing is happening. At least not quite yet. I’ve noticed that there are workshops and retreats that I guide where I am sucked right into the content I myself create. To the questions that arise, and the multiple surprising and awe inspiring replies and alternatives. I’ve noticed, being drawn into expressive minimalism has its obvious reasons. Some of them are more vague, even mysterious, and may offer boundless and lingering examinations, beyond the time frame of a workshop or a retreat. I’ve noticed how while I am teaching, I am mostly learning. Learning a thing, or two, or many, about the nature of minimalism from hours of driving through men-carved roads between forested wet humble mountains, from simply working hard and seemingly relentlessly, from facing and noticing how ‘blank canvases’ gain deep meaning without multilayered effort. Learning from a place that embodies minimalism, Whidbey Island, embracing limited time, in vast land of Lavender and ‘maximalist’ buzzing busy bees. Teaching, but mostly myself, and learning from others and from blessed encounters that follow. From moving vessels, like cars, ferries, from walking on bumpy driftwood shores, meandering paths between structures, and sleeping on soft mattresses.

Learning. 

To simplify. To be firm in wanting it.

To quiet. Quiet. Quiet. To move s-l-o-w-l-y. 

To pacify my heart and others’. To rely on nature, all around me, and my own.

To accept what is.

To be in an empty space and fill it with only breaths.

To leave moments gracefully.

To quietly merge into another.

To touch matter with great respect.

With honoring.

To shoot for absolutely NOTHING.

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