Pointless
"What's the point?" he asked.
"I'm not sure," I answered. "But I think it's about spiritual growth."
"What's ART got to do with spiritual growth?"
This conversation is going nowhere. I cannot explain myself, the way an abstract painting cannot defend how very real it is despite its ambiguities. I cannot defend an art pilgrimage.
Surely, it's not something I will make money from (the major mark of worth in our culture); in fact, I will spend money... on art materials, donations, museum visits, maybe even a retreat or two. How can I explain that it's about showing up?
Showing up for what? Life, beauty, connection, healing, dreams. How can I explain that sometimes there is no other point than this: a journey calls and we answer?
Abstract Seascape, in gouache, by Sara B, 12. Used with permission.
Labels: art pilgrimage, spiritual growth, spiritual practice, Still Calling
posted by L.L. Barkat at
1:05 PM
6 Comments:
You can't...explain, that is. Showing up, on the other hand...
oh, this resonates with me.
Sometimes my soul just hungers,
sometimes it will feed off others.
I wish I was as brave as you.
the journey 'in' is not meant to be understood by those outside who are mildly curious ... or even majorly. particularly when we are just setting out on our journey ... attuning ourselves to the sound of our own self-discovery.
visual art can be like a parable ... those who have ears to hear, let them.
the impostor thinks she has to defend something because then she is more real ... more in control. ironically, all attempts to do so only brings a greater sense of being an impostor.
"A journey calls and we answer." Feeling irresistibly drawn on "pilgrimage" to my grandparents' farm in southwest Colorado. Something in me says I must go. And so I answer, "I'm coming...."
how can we turn the world upside down and create a gift economy?
I like the thought of simply showing up. Because, at this point, that's all I really know how to do on my pilgrimage.
At this point... that's all I really know to do.
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