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“The revelation born of seeing and feeling in one seamless, synaesthetic moment is that nothing in this world is unrelated, not a single thing. Distinctions blur and relationships emerge, shimmering and shining like light on water. Where does water end and light begin, anyway?” ~ Laura Sewall, Sight and Sensibility
In my last two essays, I talked about seeing what’s invisible and then, what’s often overlooked. Once I began to be more aware of these elements, I saw more clearly that every photograph, and everything we see in fact, is made up of a set of relationships. It was a profound shift from seeing things or objects to seeing the fundamental connections between things.
Previously, I’ve mentioned geologian Thomas Berry, who said, “The Earth is not a collection of objects, but a communion of subjects.”
This simple reframe helped me see that the usual way of seeing is that of categorizing and naming objects. This way denies or lessens the importance of the space between things, as well as the things that we overlook, and also how everything affects everything else. For example, the quality of light affects what and how we see objects.
A number of books, podcasts, and the work of artists were pivotal in helping me to understand this relational aspect more fully. My bible in this area is Laura Sewall’s book, Sight and Sensibility: The Ecopsychology of Perception and David Abram’s book, The Spell of the Sensuous. Here are a few others who have informed my thinking on this topic.
Donella Meadows
The scientist and poet, Donella Meadows, wrote one of my favorite articles of all time. Here’s an excerpt.
“This fresh apple, still cold and crisp from the morning dew, is not-me only until I eat it. When I eat, I eat the soil that nourished the apple. When I drink, the waters of the earth become me. With every breath I take in I draw in not-me and make it me. With every breath out I exhale me into not-me.” ~ Donella Meadows
I certainly recommend that you read the whole article but this piece alone certainly makes me question whether there are any boundaries between me and not-me. Every being is permeable, not a closed off entity. Each of us constitutes a web of interactions with the world around us, including other human beings. We are a communion of subjects, in a constant conversation with the world around us. To see clearly is to recognize this interdependence.
Carlo Rovelli
An On Being podcast episode with quantum physicist Carlo Rovelli helped me to see these relationships from the perspective of science. At first, scientists thought of the world as made up of matter, with particles moving around it. Later, they saw the world as made up of energy. More recently, scientists are seeing life as not made up of a series of happenings, events, interactions.
Rovelli describes the world in terms of flashes of light, like fireflies, where interactions are always happening. An interaction is defined as a moment or event that is limited in space and time, here and then gone, like the firefly’s flicker. He cites a kiss as an example that we can easily understand. Yet, according to Rovelli, a stone is also an example of a happening, albeit over a much longer period of time. Sand comes together slowly, creating a solid-seeming form, a stone, and then gradually disintegrates. Even you and I are “happenings,” since we are constantly evolving over time.
Objects and people then become “nodes of interaction,” secondary to the happening itself. Each of us is defined and shaped by our happenings, our interactions, our encounters, our relationships, whether with people, our environment, or other forces. Think of a day in your life and you’ll probably see that it is mostly made up of interactions. Some are planned and some are surprising and unexpected.
At the same time as I began to write about this relational way of seeing, there were many horrific happenings in the world that have impacted many lives. Suddenly, this writing on relationships seemed so unimportant. I wondered what I could add or even if I should add anything. However, since I believe that relationships are fundamental to life itself, I decided to go ahead, with the hope that by seeing in terms of relationships, we can respond more effectively to the chaos.
The first step is to see the relationships that are at the heart of everything. That is the subject of this essay. In later ones, I’ll talk about how our relationships are part of systems as a whole, and also what it means to nurture quality relationships.
I first began to see in terms of relationships while learning about visual design for photography with Freeman Patterson and Andre Gallant. Rather than seeing individual objects, I began to see in terms of shapes, lines, colors, textures, patterns, and light - the underlying structure of a scene and how it all works together.
In other words, the photographer takes these building blocks of design into account in the creation of the photograph. They are noticing where things meet, the effects of color contrasts, and the direction of light. They’re highlighting the relationships within the scene. All of these things affect what and how we see. They make us feel something. And, when it feels right, there is resonance.
Resonance
“Perception is an attunement or synchronization between my own rhythms and the rhythms of the things themselves, their own tones and textures.” ~ David Abram, The Spell of the Sensuous
We all know that feeling of being attuned to someone or something. This is resonance. It can happen while walking in nature, or in a conversation, or listening to music, or reading a book. This resonance is a form of vibrating energy. It occurs when one subject with a certain frequency encounters a second subject with a similar natural frequency. There is vibrational motion between the two, a harmonic correspondence, if you will. It may invoke an association or strong emotion or just feel significant.
For me, every photograph I take reflects a resonant encounter between me and something in the world around me. The photograph becomes a visual representation of the interaction, a moment where I felt a deep connection.
In any interaction, there is a conversation between what is going on inside of you and inside of whatever or whoever you’re interacting with, whether a person, another species, an event, a work of art, or a piece of music.
I experience resonance often when listening to music. The sound creates a vibration that I can feel in my body. The spaces between the notes gives the notes time to linger and come to their fullest expression, resulting in an exhilarating moment of connection. To get this feeling of resonance, listen to a favorite song and turn it up loud. If you can’t think of a song, try this one. It will pluck your heartstrings. Bonus points if you lie on your stomach on the ground with your eyes closed and feel the vibrations.
I also feel resonance while listening to live music together with other people. For example, when I was at a live concert by an alt-rock band, I could feel the energy in the full house before the show began. The band’s rabid fans were excited and when the first beat of the drums began, they roared in recognition. The lead singer gave expression to the words with a pure, strong voice. Bodies instinctively moved and swayed in rhythm to the beat, hands clapping in unison. It’s a marvelous experience of resonant connection.
You can practice noticing when you feel resonance, that deep attunement and connection. These moments are telling you to pay attention and could be an invitation to respond in some way. In my workshops, I ask people to take a walk and pay attention to when something stops you and what you feel in your body at that moment. Stop and rest in the connection. Make a photograph if you’d like. If you’d like more instruction, read this post.
Conclusion
How does the way you see change when you look at the world as a communion of subjects rather than a collection of objects? What happens when you start seeing in terms of relationships rather than things? I’ve found that the quality of my life and how clearly I see depends on it.
Seeing relationally begins with a recognition and appreciation of our many connections and how we are impacted by the world around us. Our daily encounters in the world are often surprising and unexpected, determined by chance. How and what we see is influenced subconsciously by the weather, the people we meet, the food we eat, and the news we read. We’re affected by the sun and wind and tides, the change of seasons, and the tug of the moon. As we’re impacted by everything and everyone with whom we’re in contact, we also impact others.
How can you begin to see these relationships more clearly? Practice seeing what’s invisible. Notice what you overlook. Look to the edges, the margins, the periphery, or where things meet. Make a photograph that clearly shows a relationship, interaction, or encounter.
Resources
** Book links are Amazon affiliate links.**
Learn more about Thomas Berry
Donella Meadows, Lines in the Mind, Not in the World
Carlo Rovelli, On Being Interview
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In 2021, I began posting on the topic of seeing clearly, with an emphasis on the place where you live. Subscribe to receive twice-monthly posts on this topic, along with what’s inspiring me lately.
Thank you for this thoughtful, beautifully written essay. I also read your Letter this morning and confess these past 40 days I've been feeling grief and sorrow and struggling to find joy and hope but I found both in your writing. I shall be printing this essay and tucking it into my planner so I can return to it again and again and ponder the questions and respond to the prompts.
Loving this exploration. Forgive me for this I wanted to quote this but think there a missing word here:
This simple reframe helped me see that there is one way of seeing, that of categorizing and naming objects. This way of seeing denies or lessens the importance of the space between things, as well as the things that we overlook, and also how everything affects everything else. For example, the quality of light affects what and how we see objects.