I’ve spent the week trying to see without creating story. It’s a huge hurdle; as my mind leaps to to structure, to narrative, to a view with a point.
About half-way through the week I began to look at the world and search out the abstract, patterns that attract my view but defy story. I did do was take the opportunity to stare, to soak up something that deliberately defies category and enjoy it for its lack of structure.
Then, using words (haiku, no less), I tried to put around my picture a frame that is evocative but not a narrative. The words are all a work in progress. I think of them as poetic picture frames, and I struggle further because I think they overlay a narrative on the thing I’m trying to avoid giving a narrative. I’ve tried hard to use words that provide a sense of what I’m viewing without the actuality of the scene.
I’m so unsure of what I’m doing that I posted them on Instagram in a feed separate from my usual posts, a sketchbook of sorts, that I can refer back to, to see how I view the images when there’s a had a bit of space between us.
I like this idea of a sketchbook, that allows me to record some travels that are digressions from my usual path. This may be the start of something new.
You're right, haiku isn't easy. I haven't written poetry for over 30 years. The third one came easier than the first. I have a friend who told me she spent an afternoon revising a poem and now I see how a person can do that. It was an interesting exercise.
This is so interesting Timothy, your words were so real, I could feel them! I felt your staring and soaking up your experiences. I loved the abstract that you found, nameless, defying category. I appreciated your Haiku. Everything seemed so fresh, new beginnings. Thanks for sharing!!
Thank you for your generosity, Sharana. I wrote quite a lot of poetry 30-odd years ago. It's like riding a bike (starting creaky, but we've got motion!) :)
I love the catchy title, Ditch the story. It becomes a catchy reminder or metaphor of the space between stimulus and story. Stories can leave out important things, insert distracting things, make up things confusing things.. Letting go makes room for self forgetting and losing our Self in the moment. I feel raw, unprotected by any boundaries, memories, or expectations. Feeling vulnerable to what every comes my way, blown around in the wind, no not knowing anything, direction, or names. Everything is invisible in the visible. I was walking down the same path for my daily hour walk. I appreciated the essence of my surroundings, feeling comforted, but also strange. I was letting go of names, ideas, places, and daydreams. Everything blended together, into one big nameless story. I encountered everything as new, I had been here before, but now relaxed into a flow and mindless state. Like a dream that is both real and not real, did not feel attached to what I was doing, though aware of my body moving forward. I was aware of enjoying this peaceful state of being. My mind resting was a nice breath of fresh air.
This is like the rest between movements in the Feldenkrais Method. We rest between movements to make the next movement a fresh start, forgetting the old to begin fresh. Then our body is open to new sensations and possibilities, different ways of moving. The same as our vision is open to new perceptions and possibilities, and different ways of seeing-- with taking a rest. Then our seeing is not cluttered and distracted as much. We see more clearly! Our visual perception is different, less shaped by what came before. More surprises, more joyful seeing!
This article was very unique, thought provoking, bringing much awareness to how I create boundaries between myself and everything else. Too see clearly is not an easy task, it is a fun and stimulating journey! I very much appreciate the resources!! I am behind, and look forward to reading this week. Thank you Kim!!
Thanks, more aware of feeling in the moment, being in the moment. Yes, I do enjoy the flow states. I tried to find a school when my kids were young that would encourage flow experiences, Waldorf was the closest in Warrenville, IL. But too far from Wheaton. Kindergarten encourages flow states. I experienced them when helping out. THANKS!!!
Food for thought, Sharana. You’re right, letting go allows us to live in the moment and doing so lets us see things for what they are, without brining in the past, which imposes narrative. I spent the week looking at tree bark, walls, even stairways closely, just for what they are and, perhaps, what’s below the surface. It’s an interesting process. Keep enjoying the world around you!
Yes, appreciate your comment and awareness, insight Timothy! Yes, see & dive deeper, by just soaking it in, instead of giving it narrative Narrative does act as a barrier from clearly seeing.. I love the way you spoke of what is below the surfaces! That is the magical place, the deep experiencing, sensations, using our sensing to find our self, after losing our Self.
Thank you for helping me feel and think below the surface Timothy!!
Resource: A field Guide to Getting Lost by Rebecca Solnit. If you have not heard of it.
Hope you enjoy getting lost Timothy, while seeing clearly. Should be a fun adventure,! You are quite an explorer and reader! That is fantastic!! Thanks!!
Wish it was as easy with people, just for who they are, accepting what we see, and curious about what is below the surface, while enjoying the world around us!
I’ve spent the week trying to see without creating story. It’s a huge hurdle; as my mind leaps to to structure, to narrative, to a view with a point.
About half-way through the week I began to look at the world and search out the abstract, patterns that attract my view but defy story. I did do was take the opportunity to stare, to soak up something that deliberately defies category and enjoy it for its lack of structure.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMVoWAllUw2/
Then, using words (haiku, no less), I tried to put around my picture a frame that is evocative but not a narrative. The words are all a work in progress. I think of them as poetic picture frames, and I struggle further because I think they overlay a narrative on the thing I’m trying to avoid giving a narrative. I’ve tried hard to use words that provide a sense of what I’m viewing without the actuality of the scene.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMVmwPqARgy/
I’m so unsure of what I’m doing that I posted them on Instagram in a feed separate from my usual posts, a sketchbook of sorts, that I can refer back to, to see how I view the images when there’s a had a bit of space between us.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMVlk_nlRTt/
I like this idea of a sketchbook, that allows me to record some travels that are digressions from my usual path. This may be the start of something new.
This is good practice. And, writing haiku without interpretation is good practice too and not easy at all!
You're right, haiku isn't easy. I haven't written poetry for over 30 years. The third one came easier than the first. I have a friend who told me she spent an afternoon revising a poem and now I see how a person can do that. It was an interesting exercise.
This is so interesting Timothy, your words were so real, I could feel them! I felt your staring and soaking up your experiences. I loved the abstract that you found, nameless, defying category. I appreciated your Haiku. Everything seemed so fresh, new beginnings. Thanks for sharing!!
Thank you for your generosity, Sharana. I wrote quite a lot of poetry 30-odd years ago. It's like riding a bike (starting creaky, but we've got motion!) :)
Ride on...keep on moving , whatever the direction Timothy. I like your analogyl It feels Real, like your sketchbook! Thanks Timothy!
I love the catchy title, Ditch the story. It becomes a catchy reminder or metaphor of the space between stimulus and story. Stories can leave out important things, insert distracting things, make up things confusing things.. Letting go makes room for self forgetting and losing our Self in the moment. I feel raw, unprotected by any boundaries, memories, or expectations. Feeling vulnerable to what every comes my way, blown around in the wind, no not knowing anything, direction, or names. Everything is invisible in the visible. I was walking down the same path for my daily hour walk. I appreciated the essence of my surroundings, feeling comforted, but also strange. I was letting go of names, ideas, places, and daydreams. Everything blended together, into one big nameless story. I encountered everything as new, I had been here before, but now relaxed into a flow and mindless state. Like a dream that is both real and not real, did not feel attached to what I was doing, though aware of my body moving forward. I was aware of enjoying this peaceful state of being. My mind resting was a nice breath of fresh air.
This is like the rest between movements in the Feldenkrais Method. We rest between movements to make the next movement a fresh start, forgetting the old to begin fresh. Then our body is open to new sensations and possibilities, different ways of moving. The same as our vision is open to new perceptions and possibilities, and different ways of seeing-- with taking a rest. Then our seeing is not cluttered and distracted as much. We see more clearly! Our visual perception is different, less shaped by what came before. More surprises, more joyful seeing!
This article was very unique, thought provoking, bringing much awareness to how I create boundaries between myself and everything else. Too see clearly is not an easy task, it is a fun and stimulating journey! I very much appreciate the resources!! I am behind, and look forward to reading this week. Thank you Kim!!
I enjoyed reading about what seemed like a real flow experience for you Sharana.
Thanks, more aware of feeling in the moment, being in the moment. Yes, I do enjoy the flow states. I tried to find a school when my kids were young that would encourage flow experiences, Waldorf was the closest in Warrenville, IL. But too far from Wheaton. Kindergarten encourages flow states. I experienced them when helping out. THANKS!!!
Food for thought, Sharana. You’re right, letting go allows us to live in the moment and doing so lets us see things for what they are, without brining in the past, which imposes narrative. I spent the week looking at tree bark, walls, even stairways closely, just for what they are and, perhaps, what’s below the surface. It’s an interesting process. Keep enjoying the world around you!
Yes, appreciate your comment and awareness, insight Timothy! Yes, see & dive deeper, by just soaking it in, instead of giving it narrative Narrative does act as a barrier from clearly seeing.. I love the way you spoke of what is below the surfaces! That is the magical place, the deep experiencing, sensations, using our sensing to find our self, after losing our Self.
Thank you for helping me feel and think below the surface Timothy!!
Resource: A field Guide to Getting Lost by Rebecca Solnit. If you have not heard of it.
And thank you for suggesting A Field Guide, Sharana! I found it (I love the cover). Heading down the rabbit hole....
Hope you enjoy getting lost Timothy, while seeing clearly. Should be a fun adventure,! You are quite an explorer and reader! That is fantastic!! Thanks!!
Wish it was as easy with people, just for who they are, accepting what we see, and curious about what is below the surface, while enjoying the world around us!