“While drawing grasses I learn nothing “about” grass, but wake up to the wonder of this grass and its growing, to the wonder that there is grass at all.” ~ Frederick Franck, The Zen of Seeing This month is about perspectives. One aspect of perspective-taking has to do with seeing with eyes of wonder. The artist Frederick Franck found that he could up his experiences of wonder by drawing, because you have to really look and see to be able to draw. This is true.
I’ve enjoyed many of the ‘Seeing Clearly’ posts this year. Some have been thought-provoking, some have provided epiphanies, and some have led me down paths I haven’t explored.
This latest post is a bit of a doozy, Kim. I’ve always embraced wonder and awe, and have spent time this year thinking about the ‘little wonders’ that are so appreciated in life.
I haven’t spent a lot of time thinking about how wonder and awe are different from each other (I’m not sure I ever even differentiated between them). And that there are different types of wonder, it’s like a door is opening. And now, to find that there are entire books on the subject!
I’m still working my way through the idea of ‘vertigo wonder,’ It seems to me that vertigo wonder is best appreciated (or even recognized?) on the other side of the event. When I think back to moments of great change or stress in my life, ‘wonder’ is the last word I’d use to describe them. Maybe I’m just not understanding the concept.
PS
Oh, and I appreciate you pointing me to Frederick Franck. I just started a drawing class and have already been pointed to Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, and now the Zen of Seeing is waiting for me at the library. So, thanks for that!!!
Here’s a great post on everyday wonder - https://courtney.substack.com/p/stay-baffled?r=3cb2b&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email&utm_source=
I’ve enjoyed many of the ‘Seeing Clearly’ posts this year. Some have been thought-provoking, some have provided epiphanies, and some have led me down paths I haven’t explored.
This latest post is a bit of a doozy, Kim. I’ve always embraced wonder and awe, and have spent time this year thinking about the ‘little wonders’ that are so appreciated in life.
I haven’t spent a lot of time thinking about how wonder and awe are different from each other (I’m not sure I ever even differentiated between them). And that there are different types of wonder, it’s like a door is opening. And now, to find that there are entire books on the subject!
I’m still working my way through the idea of ‘vertigo wonder,’ It seems to me that vertigo wonder is best appreciated (or even recognized?) on the other side of the event. When I think back to moments of great change or stress in my life, ‘wonder’ is the last word I’d use to describe them. Maybe I’m just not understanding the concept.
PS
Oh, and I appreciate you pointing me to Frederick Franck. I just started a drawing class and have already been pointed to Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, and now the Zen of Seeing is waiting for me at the library. So, thanks for that!!!