Purpose, Imagination and Good Fortune
"Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world." - Einstein
It is about time for another one of my epic posts. This one will be much more upbeat than the last, however equally as irrelevant to anyone besides myself. It may seem that I'm focusing on myself a lot lately but I assure you I'm not concieted, or perhaps I am. At any rate, this is just a phase of self-discovery that I am going through and it will eventually come to end. Well, that's the plan anyways.
Unlike my last trip to Canada which left me in a state of quandary about my identity, this trip to DC has left me with much greater confidence and understanding of who I am. It brought out the "Andrew" in me, who is one of my friends and role models. First of all, the trip itself went off without a hitch. I didn't get lost or miss my plane or anything like that, and the time I spent there with friends was incredible. During that time I felt so much more alive, as if the world was yet new to me (not to overexaggerate too much!) It was interesting to come back to the reality of my day to day life and see it differently. I can accept it though. I know I can't expect that euphoria all, or even most of the time. Nevertheless, it's always a delight to occasionally experience such joy.
On the first plane ride back home I sat next to, quite simply, a "hot chick." We had a nice conversation, and both seemed to be interested in eachother. Of course nothing became of it, but it was still very nice just to get to know her. At the Detroit airport we bid eachother farewell, as I was to continue on to Grand Rapids. While I waited for the plane to board I mused; how much brighter the colors of the world when all things are going well in one's life. But the colors inevitably fade to gray, however those shades have their own subtle beauty as well. As if this all was not enough, I soon discovered that I had been given a first class seat on the plane, when I had purchased a coach one. The ride was only half an hour, but I had never ridden first class before so it was a nice little treat. I have been having such great luck lately. So much so that it has convinced me that the concept of karma is bunk because I am surely not so good a person as to deserve it.
A breif aside: I recognise that that comment is not really logical, but I don't wish to be completely logical, were I even capable. I would consider such things a "Characteristic Blanket Statement." Their intent is rhetorical rather than factual.
I wish not to have too much good fortune in life because it seems excessive fortune and excessive despair throughout life color ones view of it. I wish to know the nature of life as accurately and completely as possible; I hope to get the "full experience" as they say. Sitting under a sunset on a cool evening I watch the bustle of the town below, busily going about it's business. Waves of smells wash over me, bringing memories of my past floating back. Most of them fond, but all indubitably my own. The world will continue on it's merry way; whether good or bad I know not, I'm just along for the ride. And this ride, like the grass of the field or the quill of the hedgehog, can be both rough and soft. It's just a matter of how you handle it. Yet even the best handler will get poked at times; the prophets oft ignored and the theives oft get away. Yet do not loose hope, for there are things greater still to come.
As far as that whole "Who am I?" thing is concerned, I've concluded that my main driving purpose is two-part; to seek truth, and to experience life. The former subsequent to the latter, but both important. During the first part of my search I focused exceedingly on seeking truth and saw experiencing life as almost inconsequential because of the vast insignificance and futility of our lives. I must be wary here of misrecalling my earlier periods and thinking them different than they were. The temptation is to recall the emotions and experiences I read about as my own instead of the authors. In comparison to now, then, it would seem as though I lost those things, when in fact I never had them but projected what I read onto my past self. I've never had a profound mystical experience, just feelings of reassurance, and peacefulness, (as well as a few funky but inconclusive dream/meditiation moments) and I've always been a little restless. Anyways, I used to concentrate so much on the grand scheme of things and the big picture that I couldn't motivate myself to do ultimately unimportant things. I couldnt see the value in particulars and details; things like cleaning, school work and even socializing. Take for example this quote from an essay I wrote in 2003, "I cannot just make assumptions about Jesus and God and THEN get on with what's important in life. That's all that's important. My job, my education, my relationships, those are just PARTS of my life. My spirituality IS my life." But, my attitudes and priorities have changed for the better, so I think. Now I can accept the evanescence of our existence and yet still find value and a humble pleasure in the minutia of life. I dont mind being a bundle of chemicals, if that is what we turn out to be, for at least I am a happy little bundle of chemicals. In some sense I took flight and soared above everyday life, only to faithfully return with a grand perspective and refreshing appreciation of it. I'm still participating in the search for truth, however I'm not nearly as passionate about it as I once was. I suppose I could retrieve some of that passion again. I wonder if it will be as difficult a feat as it is in relationships.
Several weeks ago I came to the sobering realization that I had lost my imagination. (again with the overexaggerations!) I'd been focused primarily on the real world and reality in reading only non-fiction, not playing video games, and not creating musical or visual art. My only stimulation was writing and movies. I became determined to get it back by exercise of the imagination through writing and reading fiction, drawing, daydreaming etc. To my tremendous relief it seems to be coming back swiftly as though it was just dormant, not missing. I've started reading Goethe's dramatic poem Faust, my first fiction in years. Also my return to 3D modeling has been helping. Here are a few of my recent creations with "Vue 5 Infinite":
1. Tree Hill Trails
2. Life of a Tree - Sunset
3. Island of Forgotten Dreams -0:20 (~2.7MB) *.wmv
4. Life of a Tree -0:14 (~7.5MB) *.wmv
I once thought excessive imagination was just for people who wanted to escape reality. But as with most things, loosing my imagination taught me it's true value. Not realizing it at the time, it was having a considerable effect on my intellectual persuits and truth seeking. The loss hindered my intuition. I seemed to have fewer novel ideas springing into my head. Perhaps it's because imagination combined with knowledge is what creates these ideas. It's effects were much more far-reaching then I imagined. It is obviously vital to the creative process, but also to general problem solving and enjoying life through creative living. I think the ultimate measure of imagination is the ability to conjure randomness.
Great is he who can do the waltz, the polka, the shuffle, and salsa with his mind (and even greater at the same time!) Imagination is the mind dancing. Is it not imagination that raises us above mere commodity, to dine and sup with the gods. I once floated above the forest of an alien world in a celestial bubble. The light of it's sun bounced off a violet waterfall, forming a winding stairway of light that led to a gazebo in the sky. All it takes to partake in such strange and wonderous experiences is a little imagination. The world of reality will always have limits and boundries. The world of imagination on the other hand is truely limitless. It is the job of the poets, the painters, and the writers, and the job of us all as dreamers to keep the doorway between these worlds open wide, to allow all men to pass freely from the finite on to the infinite.
It is about time for another one of my epic posts. This one will be much more upbeat than the last, however equally as irrelevant to anyone besides myself. It may seem that I'm focusing on myself a lot lately but I assure you I'm not concieted, or perhaps I am. At any rate, this is just a phase of self-discovery that I am going through and it will eventually come to end. Well, that's the plan anyways.
Unlike my last trip to Canada which left me in a state of quandary about my identity, this trip to DC has left me with much greater confidence and understanding of who I am. It brought out the "Andrew" in me, who is one of my friends and role models. First of all, the trip itself went off without a hitch. I didn't get lost or miss my plane or anything like that, and the time I spent there with friends was incredible. During that time I felt so much more alive, as if the world was yet new to me (not to overexaggerate too much!) It was interesting to come back to the reality of my day to day life and see it differently. I can accept it though. I know I can't expect that euphoria all, or even most of the time. Nevertheless, it's always a delight to occasionally experience such joy.
On the first plane ride back home I sat next to, quite simply, a "hot chick." We had a nice conversation, and both seemed to be interested in eachother. Of course nothing became of it, but it was still very nice just to get to know her. At the Detroit airport we bid eachother farewell, as I was to continue on to Grand Rapids. While I waited for the plane to board I mused; how much brighter the colors of the world when all things are going well in one's life. But the colors inevitably fade to gray, however those shades have their own subtle beauty as well. As if this all was not enough, I soon discovered that I had been given a first class seat on the plane, when I had purchased a coach one. The ride was only half an hour, but I had never ridden first class before so it was a nice little treat. I have been having such great luck lately. So much so that it has convinced me that the concept of karma is bunk because I am surely not so good a person as to deserve it.
A breif aside: I recognise that that comment is not really logical, but I don't wish to be completely logical, were I even capable. I would consider such things a "Characteristic Blanket Statement." Their intent is rhetorical rather than factual.
I wish not to have too much good fortune in life because it seems excessive fortune and excessive despair throughout life color ones view of it. I wish to know the nature of life as accurately and completely as possible; I hope to get the "full experience" as they say. Sitting under a sunset on a cool evening I watch the bustle of the town below, busily going about it's business. Waves of smells wash over me, bringing memories of my past floating back. Most of them fond, but all indubitably my own. The world will continue on it's merry way; whether good or bad I know not, I'm just along for the ride. And this ride, like the grass of the field or the quill of the hedgehog, can be both rough and soft. It's just a matter of how you handle it. Yet even the best handler will get poked at times; the prophets oft ignored and the theives oft get away. Yet do not loose hope, for there are things greater still to come.
As far as that whole "Who am I?" thing is concerned, I've concluded that my main driving purpose is two-part; to seek truth, and to experience life. The former subsequent to the latter, but both important. During the first part of my search I focused exceedingly on seeking truth and saw experiencing life as almost inconsequential because of the vast insignificance and futility of our lives. I must be wary here of misrecalling my earlier periods and thinking them different than they were. The temptation is to recall the emotions and experiences I read about as my own instead of the authors. In comparison to now, then, it would seem as though I lost those things, when in fact I never had them but projected what I read onto my past self. I've never had a profound mystical experience, just feelings of reassurance, and peacefulness, (as well as a few funky but inconclusive dream/meditiation moments) and I've always been a little restless. Anyways, I used to concentrate so much on the grand scheme of things and the big picture that I couldn't motivate myself to do ultimately unimportant things. I couldnt see the value in particulars and details; things like cleaning, school work and even socializing. Take for example this quote from an essay I wrote in 2003, "I cannot just make assumptions about Jesus and God and THEN get on with what's important in life. That's all that's important. My job, my education, my relationships, those are just PARTS of my life. My spirituality IS my life." But, my attitudes and priorities have changed for the better, so I think. Now I can accept the evanescence of our existence and yet still find value and a humble pleasure in the minutia of life. I dont mind being a bundle of chemicals, if that is what we turn out to be, for at least I am a happy little bundle of chemicals. In some sense I took flight and soared above everyday life, only to faithfully return with a grand perspective and refreshing appreciation of it. I'm still participating in the search for truth, however I'm not nearly as passionate about it as I once was. I suppose I could retrieve some of that passion again. I wonder if it will be as difficult a feat as it is in relationships.
Several weeks ago I came to the sobering realization that I had lost my imagination. (again with the overexaggerations!) I'd been focused primarily on the real world and reality in reading only non-fiction, not playing video games, and not creating musical or visual art. My only stimulation was writing and movies. I became determined to get it back by exercise of the imagination through writing and reading fiction, drawing, daydreaming etc. To my tremendous relief it seems to be coming back swiftly as though it was just dormant, not missing. I've started reading Goethe's dramatic poem Faust, my first fiction in years. Also my return to 3D modeling has been helping. Here are a few of my recent creations with "Vue 5 Infinite":
1. Tree Hill Trails
2. Life of a Tree - Sunset
3. Island of Forgotten Dreams -0:20 (~2.7MB) *.wmv
4. Life of a Tree -0:14 (~7.5MB) *.wmv
I once thought excessive imagination was just for people who wanted to escape reality. But as with most things, loosing my imagination taught me it's true value. Not realizing it at the time, it was having a considerable effect on my intellectual persuits and truth seeking. The loss hindered my intuition. I seemed to have fewer novel ideas springing into my head. Perhaps it's because imagination combined with knowledge is what creates these ideas. It's effects were much more far-reaching then I imagined. It is obviously vital to the creative process, but also to general problem solving and enjoying life through creative living. I think the ultimate measure of imagination is the ability to conjure randomness.
Great is he who can do the waltz, the polka, the shuffle, and salsa with his mind (and even greater at the same time!) Imagination is the mind dancing. Is it not imagination that raises us above mere commodity, to dine and sup with the gods. I once floated above the forest of an alien world in a celestial bubble. The light of it's sun bounced off a violet waterfall, forming a winding stairway of light that led to a gazebo in the sky. All it takes to partake in such strange and wonderous experiences is a little imagination. The world of reality will always have limits and boundries. The world of imagination on the other hand is truely limitless. It is the job of the poets, the painters, and the writers, and the job of us all as dreamers to keep the doorway between these worlds open wide, to allow all men to pass freely from the finite on to the infinite.